"Please Sir, Can I Have Some More?"

It's that time of year where everyone is asking for donations to many worthy projects. The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is not exception.....please consider supporting a quilt square, whether it be instead of participating in work Secret Santa gifts, buying another tie for a friend or loved one or in addition to the many gifts that you feel forced to give to everyone from your child's teacher, mail person, hair stylist, etc. at this time of year.

And now I will give you a compelling reason why.

Last year I was asked to sponsor a child who lives in an orphanage in Naco, Sonora, Mexico. I readily said, "Yes!" but was forced to deal with the fact that, for me, last years' funds were very tight and I wasn't sure how I could come up with extra cash to buy a coat, clothes and toys for the 12 year old boy I sponsored. I am fortunate to have a December birthday (today in fact) and I asked friends and family in lieu of gifts to donate any money that would be spent on me towards buying this boy some of the things needed. I got to go to the orphanage and deliver the goods that were gifted to me. This is an experience I most likely will remember for most of the rest of my life.

A year later, long after I would remember any of the gifts I would have received I still am proud of the gifts I gave. I know that when Eduardo grows too large for his coat, he will pass it on to a younger child: likewise his pants and shoes. The soccer ball, no doubt has been used for hours of play and the candy shared by Eduardo with the other kids.

If you sponsor a quilt square you will be able to see if for years to come. Quilt squares are for the enjoyment of community members and visitors alike. Every time you pass "your" quilt square you will feel pride in what you have done.

Go ahead-donate a square.

It's the Ho Ho Ho Holidays

Winter is Here!?

It seems as if we are all enjoying the final days of warmth, gardening and sweater wearing, when BAM! winter descends and it's time to drag out warm clothes, stoke the fires and move indoors for months of inside activities. With the wind and snow it is easy to stay sequestered, barely leaving the house except to go to work and pick up the makings for soup or hot casseroles.

But central Pennsylvania in the winter can be a truly wonderful season of outdoor activity and beauty. If you are one of those types of people that shutter at the thought of the wind nipping at your nose and cold feet; dress appropriately and give the winter a chance. After a new fallen snow there is a silence that is almost spiritual. Even the birds are silent for a while. With snow on the ground it is easy to spot footprints of turkey, deer, and bear. One year I followed a trail of paw prints of a mother and baby black bear.

With all the colorful leaves gone, the winter is the time of the year to see through the trees to an often brilliant, blue sky. X-country skiing, snowshoeing or clomping through the snow with warm winter boots is a fun, enjoyable way to get some free exercise. And of course after your winter excursions coming inside to a warm house, inn or room feels better than you ever imagined.

This year local or not, follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails and experience the outdoors.
Send feedback and photos and share your fun.

Geocaching on the PA Quilt (And Rug) Trails

In less than a week, the first, possibly first and  second geocache site will be installed along the PA Quilt (And Rug) Trails. How this works is first you must beg, borrow or purchase a GPS device. With the coordinates in hand a GPS coordinate will guide the cache seeker to a location . This can be done with any device that has GPS coordinates: smart phones, iPhone, iPads, laptops, Tom Toms, Garmans, etc. Once you have located the first site via GPS coordinates, you will refer to three photos that will be posted. These photos are close ups of structural details that you need to find in the area of the GPS coordinate to find the cache. Sounds more complicated than it actually is.

When I first heard of geocaching a few years back, I must confess I "pooh poohed" the idea. In my mind I imagined walking through the beautiful Pennsylvania woods, ignoring the foliage and focusing solely on a technological device. Would you ignore the Bared owl high above you or the beautiful asters lining the path in lieu of nose to the screen following coordinates? My thoughts were that technology and outdoor activities should not mix.

But I have soften my stance.

I now see possibility of geocaching as a non expensive activity that takes to you to places you might not naturally chose to explore. Caches are not in random places but in well designed sites. Though the caches offer little in material value, each waterproof box will contain a small trinket, pencil and log book and some information about the location of the cache. Exchange of trinkets is encouraged. By reading through the log, a history of persons visiting is recorded. Maybe a familiar name is logged ahead of yours, perhaps a visitor from out of state or country-what fun to be connected to others!

I encourage all to try one geocache hunt, play it out, see where the experience takes you.

Welcome Packwood House Museum to the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D WELCOMES THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE PA QUILT (AND RUG) TRAILS

MIFFLINTOWN: Community Partnerships RC&D has partnered with the Packwood House Museum to create the newest addition of the PA Quilt (and
Rug )Trails. The quilt block chosen by the Packwood House Museum is a replica of a quilt, made ca. 1880, and has become widely associated with the Packwood House Museum collection. Quilters and quilt historians across the U.S. recognize it as "the Packwood House Quilt." The Packwood House Museum is located at 15 North Water Street Lewisburg, PA (570) 524-0323

Leaves are Changing

There is no time of the year like the  season when the  leaves change color. Yearly, people from around the country/ world, make a pilgrimage to bask in the plethora of oranges, yellows, reds, purples, greens, and browns. To describe this phenomenon with words is pointless, one must venture out to where the leaves change and live, breath and embrace the transition.

There are several websites devoted to monitoring the fall foliage. Central Pennsylvania is currently at the beginning of the onslaught of colors; in a few weeks time, baring incidents of heavy rains, winds and early snow, the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails will be a sight to behold. Explore the trail, take some photos and make some colorful memories. The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is lovely at all times of the year but during the fall, when the leaves change colors, it is truly phenomenal.

Websites monitoring foliage:

http://forestry.about.com/gi/o.htm?zi=1/XJ&zTi=1&sdn=forestry&cdn=education&tm=4&f=00&tt=2&bt=1&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.fs.fed.us/fallcolors/

http://www.weather.com/activities/driving/fallfoliage/

http://www.foliagenetwork.net/

It's Fall on the PA QUilt (and Rug) Trails

Many people in the United States have never experienced fall in central Pennsylvania. Having traveled throughout most of the northeast and a fair portion of the rest of the United States, I can attest that central Pennsylvania, in the fall months, is one of the prettiest states. There are days when the colors are actually startling in their color intensity. A few of years back I drove daily over the Seven Mountains, south of  State College. Honestly the colors of these mountains caused me, more than once, to forget I was driving (not really) and become one with the spectrum of brilliant foliage. Add to that the usual blue skies of a central Pennsylvania fall and the result is utter fabulousness.

The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails meanders through all this beautiful land. Many crops at this time of year have turned golden and brown. Leaves have started to fall with their dense red, yellows and oranges. Grasses flower an array of color.

And the smells. There is nothing like the smell of composting leaves, fresh brisk air  and the earthy smell of smoke from wood burners.

This fall follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails and use the trail as your guide through a memorable experience.

Healing on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

Recently my housemate took a work trip to Glacier National Monument in Montana. If you have never been to Glacier, it is something you must add to your bucket list (and do it soon as the glaciers are rapidly disappearing). Each day she has been posting photos of the area, which brought me back to my own trip there about ten years ago.

A friend and I decided to participate in a yoga retreat in Helena, Montana with three of our favorite yoga gurus. We planned and saved for a year, deciding to not only go to the retreat but to take extra time and explore Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho and Montana. Seven days before the scheduled trip we were both in a horrific car accident. Our van was hit by a tractor trailer pulling a piece of an overpass to be part of the new interstate. We were rolled and dragged by the tractor trailer, finally coming to a rest on a berm at the side of the road. Traffic was stopped in all directions and police and ambulance summoned. Miraculously we both survived; my friend with a head injury and me with minor injuries, splinters of glass covering my arms, chest and face, broken little toe, whiplash and a moderate amount of pain; yet still alive and still able to climb out of the car before the ambulance arrived.

A few hours later as my friend and I lay in the hospital, surrounded by our families, awaiting results of various xrays, my friend's husband (now ex) declared, "The trip is off!"

At no time was the trip that I had scrimped and saved for was going to be cancelled. I told my friend that I respected her decision but with or without her I was still going. This was to be a driving trip, we had planned on driving about 2,000 kilometers, I decided to use this trip to get over my new fear of being in a car and heal my achy body through the beauty of the Canadian and American Rockies. And heal I did. At first, things were slow going. Because of my injuries it was hard sitting in a car for many hours. I took things slow and listened to my body and discovered some of the most magical, unexpected places. To this day I never have regretted going.

The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails also has healing magic. As you follow the trail you can drive through lovely Amish country, deeply wooded forest, past full running rivers and some of the most fertile land of this country. The next time you need some healing take some time off of your schedule and follow the trail. Let the healing begin.

The first quilt square for the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails sits high atop the lovely community of Liverpool, Pennsylvania. Settled in 1808 by the Stailey family, emigrants from Liverpool, England, Liverpool is surrounded by dense woods and a lovely river, Liverpool has many beautiful architectural homes and shops and a historic cemetery. Just a stone's throw from hiking trails including a well maintained "Rails to Trails", Liverpool has an abundance of outdoor activities including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, canoeing, bird watching and photography as well as many lovely antique shops, wine tastings and restaurants serving locally grown foods and regional dishes. Walk the streets of this lovely burg and see wall murals, a restored train station and a lovely old inn.

Installing Geocache Sites Along the PA Quilt (And Rug) Trails

Finally everything has come together and it's time to knuckle down and install the first two geocache sites along the PA Quilt (And Rug) Trails. According to Wikipedia, geocaching is,"Geocaching is an outdoor recreational activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver or  mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches""

One style of site indicators that I like is to give localized GPS coordinates and then post several photo clues to get the seeker closer to the cache. This makes the activity more of a treasure hunt than simply looking at a GPS device to find exact placement.

There are several guidelines to follow when selecting a site for a geocache:

1. Permission for placement must be granted by property owner.

2. Geocaches must never be buried.

3. Geocaches must not deface area.

4. Wildlife must not be affected by placement or retrieval of cache.

The cache itself will be placed in a waterproof container. Inside the container will be the following: 

1. A log sheet for geocachers to record their visit.

2. Family friendly contents only.

3. Nothing that will attract wildlife such as food.

4. Nothing that can be damaged by melting, cold.

5. Non liquids

Caches are not to be political, religious, cannot try to sell a product, nor promote a social agenda.

In the next few weeks Beth Miller of Community Partnerships RC&D will be depositing  caches along the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. 

A great activity for all ages-with no hidden costs

Enjoy geocaching along the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails!

You Gotta Have Friends

Become a friend of the 

PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails 

• A $35 donation receives as a thank you:
• 5 notecards featuring scenes from the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails
• 2 guests passes to exclusive annual PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails party
• Quarterly PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails enewsletter (covering relevant information, announcements and events.)

To pay either send check to:

Community Partnerships RC&D

23 North Main Street

Lewistown, PA. 17044

or pay via Paypal

administrator@paquilttrails.org
www.paquilttrails.org
www.blogspot.paquilttrails.org
“Like” us on facebook
PA Quilt Trails

Summer's End

Every August I panic. After months of warm days and still warm evenings, I realize that the fall is about to approach and it is necessary to prepare for cold weather. Do not misunderstand me; I love the cold weather. There is nothing more lovely than cross country skiing through the woods on a day when snow has recently fallen. I love the smell of burning oak in the woodstove. And homemade soups, pumpkins, crisp, tart, juicy apples.

But there is a change of activity and focus from spending all one's time out of doors to the move inside when the weather changes. Summer activities such as swimming and sunbathing become more limited. The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails, however can be followed year 'round. Autumn leaves add indescribably color to the landscape. The smell of fallen leaves decomposing on the ground is intoxicating.

This fall plan to follow some, if not all of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Stop at Hunters Valley winery and pick up a bottle to save for the upcoming winter holidays, hike in the Tuscarora State forest. Have a coffee in Vicksburg and look upclose at a remarkable quilt square. Just like a cup of hot tea on a cold night exploring central Pennsylvania via the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is warm and inviting.

Send photos and I will post here and on Facebook.

Happy Travels!!

Dinner and a Cupcake

The other day a good friend and I went to a favorite local restaurant for dinner. We decided to order two entrees  splitting both, so we could enjoy the tastes of two entrees instead of one. After a few tastes of both, I decided that one was not to my liking and gladly surrounded my half to my friend. Disappointed, my friend who had chosen the "unliked" meal, was concerned that my dinner was ruined. My reply was, "We also have a  cupcake and any meal that ends with a cupcake is a good meal."

I think of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails as meal ending with a cupcake. Each trail site is chosen for its surroundings, culture, beauty and opportunity. Central Pennsylvania is a picturesque  area making the journey to each quilt square memorable. Occasionally roads may be detoured, traffic (though not likely), inclement weather, grumpy passengers, grumbling stomachs, cramps, headache, etc. yet once the trail square location is reached, a delightful trail piece (the proverbial cupcake) awaits the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails traveler.


Follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Don't forget to pack a cupcake!

Inspiration

Because of my interest in quilt trails, I receive notification from Google when even a quilt trail is mention on the internet. I thought it would be great to share some of the photos I have been privy to finding:

 North Georgia Quilt Trail

Barn Quilts of Madison County 

Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina

 

 The Callaway County Barn Quilt Trail / Callaway County, Missouri

 

Miami County, Ohio Quilt Barn Trail / Miami County, Ohio

Friday July 20, 2012 PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails "Meet and Greet" party has been moved to a new location because of pending thunderstorms. New venue is at:

 Skills of central Pennsylvania facility 

17  East Industrial Drive
Mifflintown

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Only Days Away

10 reasons why YOU should attend the meet and greet on Friday, July 20, 2012 from 1:30 - 2:30pm at Heirloom Cabinetry:

1. You will get to meet some of the 80 + people that have had a part in creating, installing, designing, promoting the Heirloom Cabinetry quilt square.

2. Not only will you get to see the newest square on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails, you will be privy to a fabulous view of central Pennsylvania farmland.

3. There will be cake and cookies!

4. You can pick up the newest updated brochure of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails.

5. You can see the result of hard work and perhaps be inspired to sponsor your own quilt square.

6. It's an outdoors event. Who doesn't love the outdoors in July?

7.  What else do you have going on Friday afternoon?

8. You can leave work early citing, "I have an important event to attend."

9. You may meet the next love of your life, make a new friend or see someone you haven't seen in years.

10. Why not?

Join Community Partnerships RC&D, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Juniata Valley Quilters Guild and Heirloom Cabinetry for a "Meet and Greet" at the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails newest quilt square site at Heirloom Cabinetry, 977 Nelson Road, Mifflintown, PA on Friday, July 20, 2012 at 1:30PM-2:30PM . 

Cake and soft drinks to be served. This is a public party. All are invited and welcomed!

RSVP by Thursday July 19 administrator@paquilttrails.org.717-248-4901 ext 326

It's Time to Party

COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS RC&D INVITES YOU TO CELEBRATE 

THE NEWEST ADDITION TO THE PA QUILT (AND RUG) TRAILS 

MIFFLINTOWN: Join Community Partnerships RC&D, Skills of Central Pennsylvania, Juniata Valley Quilters Guild and Heirloom Cabinetry for a “Meet and Greet” at the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails newest quilt square site at Heirloom Cabinetry, 977 Nelson Road, Mifflintown, PA on Friday, July 20, 2012 at1:30PM-2:30PM . Cake and soft drinks to be served.

This is a public party. All are invited and welcomed! RSVP by Monday July 16 administrator@paquilttrails.org.717-248-4901 ext 326

Independence Day

July 4th is celebrated with much gusto. Communities throughout the nation have "down home" festivities, such as: soap box derbies, parades, fireworks, ball games, family reunions and picnics. In Central Pennsylvania, July 4th is often overshadowed by the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts which occurs each year beginning on the Wednesday following July 4th.

The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, commonly referred to as the "Arts Festival" is one of the biggest affairs of the summer. Started many years ago by a  group of artists who displayed their artwork on a snow fence along the Penn State side of College Avenue, the Arts Festival has grown into a multimillion dollar industry with nationally known artists, musicians, puppeteers, dancers, as well as local performers entertaining the masses.

While the Arts Festival rocks State College, the rest of central Pennsylvania offers a necessary reprieve from the over stimulation of Kettle Korn, live music and sand castles. This year, if you are going to the Arts Festival take a break and visit the PA Quilt and Rug Trails.

The Trail Rug at the Tuscarora State Forest is situated in an idyllic forest, quiet and peaceful, cool among the trees, a perfect place to revitalize and regroup before going back into the trenches of activity. Hunters Valley Winery also offers quiet beauty. Enjoy the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails' first quilt square, sip on a glass of hand-crafted wine in the vineyard's shaded gazebo and gaze upon the a spectacular view of the Susquehanna River. All stops on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails have been designed to offer peace,beauty, and cultural appreciation for central Pennsylvania.

This July make it a tradition to follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails along. Be save, enjoy your loved ones and celebrate!

Happy 4th of July

Peaceful Summer Days

by Gary R. Ferris

Sitting on the front porch enjoying a peaceful summer day,

Writing down the words that He’s given me to say.

Sipping on my coffee and watching the wind blow the trees,

Quietly watching the birds sailing in the breeze.




When I look at this beauty it takes my cares away,


The majestic mountains that top these skies today.

Off in a distance a bird begins to sing,

And the sounds of the country and the music it can bring.


The dogs are lying in the sun and lost in the deep,

To watch them in this summer breeze make me want to fall asleep.

To realize that I have been so blessed,

All of my troubles become no more than a pest.




Listening to the sound of children playing in the sun,

Reminds me of a boy and all the things I had done.

Laughing and playing and cherishing each day,

Sometimes I wish that those times were here to stay.

In a world full of struggle, turmoil, and strife,

I feel so blessed to get to live this life.

There are no brilliant words that I could ever say,

That ever could describe a peaceful summer day.

Chachachachachanges

Change is inevitable. Seeds change into seedlings, seedlings to plants, changing as the years go by. Landscape change; seasons change. Little that exists is not affected by change. The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is no exception.

When Community Partnerships RC&D first began envisioning what the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails could be, there were many ideas. At first the plan was to incorporate multiple trails, each trail meandering through a tier of central Pennsylvania. An Amtrak trail was part of that vision, placing the trail along the railroad to be viewed from a rail car, as the train traveled from Lewistown to Harrisburg.

Though a rail component of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is a wonderful idea, the logistics of getting support to do such a project have not yet materialized. Perhaps after reading this blog posting, you the reader will have the resources to make it so. Nonetheless, the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails metamorphosed into what it is today. And as each piece is added, the trail changes and becomes something different that originally imagined.

Plans are underway to add a geo-caching component to the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. As the caches are placed, new changes, most inevitable will affect the trail and changes will occur.

Now is the time to be part of the ever changing PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Be part of the change and part of the future. Support the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails and be the change you want to be.

Gardening and the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

Ever since I can remember, I have tended to plants. Before I turned eight and my family and I moved to a house with a yard, I nurtured marigolds in paper cups, started an avocado tree from a pit and took charge and watered my mother's asparagus fern daily. After moving from the city to the suburbs, I had a postage stamp space next to my dad's "real" garden where I lovingly grew mint and mammoth sunflowers. And in all these years of gardening, I believe that when gardening, flowers must always be included.

Daily I check in with each of my flowers. Today I found two flowers on my pink and purple fuchsia, bracts on the Bougainvillea, huge, bright red flowers on a geranium, as well as other pink, orange, white, magenta and yellow flowers spread throughout the property. Every time one of the bright colors catch my eye, I find myself stopping to take a moment and absorb the visual contrast of a small splash of color against, the green of the grass, brown of the soil and grey of the 100+ year old house I live in.

This morning, as I stopped to look at an isolated yellow flower, it occurred to me that a quilt square on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is a bit like a flower. The beautiful colors of a quilt square stand out against the green fields, brown soil and neutral colors of barns and houses. Yet, a quilt square last through all seasons. For all those out there who want to plant an ever-bearing flower-consider sponsoring a quilt square on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails.

Geocaching and the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

One of the many projects slated for the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is to incorporate geocaching into the trail. For those unfamiliar with "geocaching", it is  a treasure hunt using GPS technology. On the website  geocaching.com, there is an entire web page explaining geocaching and its origin-an interesting  five to ten minute read (http://www.geocaching.com/about/history.aspx).

Treasure hunts are a great way to explore an area closer. Looking for clues demand attention to detail. All demographics are equal. Geo caching takes the treasure hunt one step forward and adds technology in a playful and educational way.

Soon we will begin to place the caches along the trail. Please send feedback and photos as you follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails, geocaching style!

Memorial Day 2012

To all those who have served the United States and all their loved ones, families and friends left behind, PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails thanks you for your generosity, honor and passion in keeping our world safe.

"In My Time Of Dyin'"

Well, in my time of dying don't want nobody to mourn
All I want for you to do is take my body home
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus gonna make up, Jesus gonna make up
Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.

Well, meet me Jesus, meet me, meet me in the middle of the air
If these wings should fail to me,
Lord, won't you meet me with another girl ?
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus gonna make up, Jesus gonna make up
Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.

Lord, in my time of dying don't want nobody to cry
All I want you to do is take me when I die
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Well, well, well
Well, well, well, so I can die easy
Jesus gonna make up, Jesus gonna make up
Jesus gonna make up my dying bed.


The Bob Dylan/ Led Zepplin song was originally written and recorded by Blind Willie Johnson. Click below to hear:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWb4XcVwIeI&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PL80B98DE02926C945

10 Reasons to Support the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

I would like to entice the readers of this blog to make a donation as a gesture of support for the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Say you have no money but are a fabulous cake baker, donate a cake to one of our installation parties; donate gift certificates for paint, plywood, labor and time, and of course donations can always be straight up cash. Let me see if I can convince you to do so with 10 reasons.

1. Each quilt tells a story. Whether the story of those who painted or designed it, the reason for the pattern choice or location, each piece has at least one interesting story to tell.

2. Quilt squares are beautiful. Designed using classic patterns, rug or quilt, the beautiful shapes and colors contrast the green of central Pennsylvania- a visual party for the eyes.

3. It's a great way to do something that has longevity.

4. It's a non-partisan, political, religious activity that everyone  can enjoy and participate in equally.

5. It guides locals and visitors to some of the most beautiful and interesting spots in central Pennsylvania.

6. It encourages local businesses through agri-tourism.

7. All ages have and can participate.

8. It promotes the folk arts of central Pennsylvania.

9. It's a true project of partnerships.

10. Many states across the country have begun their own quilt trails with success for the community, pride for those who have participated and a sense of community ownership.

Photo by Sharon Lee

Super Moon and the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

Even though it is still chilly in the evenings, my neighbor and I couldn't help but sit on the porch to look at the super moon for a bit. Watching a moon is unlike bird  or meteorite watching in that in the case of moons, not much happens. Nevertheless, we couldn't ignore the hype of the super moon and gave this event a fair shake. As we were sitting there, we discussed many things. One subject which I enjoyed was our discussion of quilts. My neighbor comes from a multi-generational, Kentucky farming family  He fondly recalled some of the quilts he had come across over the years. After his parents had passed, he was gifted a number of family heirlooms that he holds dear to his heart. I recalled a quilt the grandmother of a friend of mine had sewn. It was made from flannel pieces of my friend's childhood pajamas. Over the years whenever she felt the need for some grandma loving, she would take out this quilt, immediately connecting to the love both she and her grandmother had for each other.

Like my friend's pajama quilt, the pieces on the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails are made and installed with fondness and affection. The forestry people at Tuscarora are proud of their forest and ranger station. They chose a Trail Rug design that reflects this. The Sewing Shanty piece honors a loved one who has passed and the Heirloom piece demonstrates the love the Juniata Quilter's Guild have for their craft.

Next time you follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails remember that love, fondness and affection are all part of the trail. Make these positive feelings part of your own. Follow the trail and be part of something that is positive, uplifting and memorable.And remember to support the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. All size donations are greatly welcomed.

Become a "Friend" of PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails

By being a friend, you are helping
PA Quilt (and Rug ) Trails achieve their goal of creating,
“A Hero’s Welcome” quilt square,
honoring all those who have served in the U.S. Military. 
(Site to be determined.)

A $35 donation receives as a thank you:
5 notecards featuring scenes from the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails
2 guests passes to exclusive annual PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails party
quarterly PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails enewsletter (covering relevant information, announcements and events).

To pay either send check to:
Community Partnerships RC&D
23 North Main Street
Lewistown, PA. 17044

or click on the Paypal link to the top right of this page
(You don’t need a Paypal account to send money)

Meet the Squares: The Heirloom Quilt Square

The Heirloom quilt square has now been installed and can be enjoyed in Mifflintown, PA. This quilt square has taken the longest time, from start to finish, of any square, yet the wait was well worth the time.

At least a year and a half ago, Community Partnerships RC&D was asked by the Juniata Valley Quilters Guild, to give a presentation to the group about the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. A short while after the presentation, the guild contacted CPRC&D and generously offered to sponsor two pieces, one to be placed in Juniata County and the second in Mifflin County.

The Skills Group were kind enough to volunteer their time and talents to paint the design submitted by the Quilter's guild. After diligent priming, taping and painting for weeks of time, the piece was completed and transported by Kevin Morgan and Mike Lennartz of CPRC&D to Heirloom Cabinetry, where the piece could be touched-up and framed for installation.

The folks at Heirloom managed to hoist this incredibly heavy the piece feet off the ground, to its current home where it overlooks  beautiful valleys and hills of Mifflintown.

The Heirloom Piece, with its strong colors and design, compliments the  beautiful farm land and countryside where she/he will stay for many years to come. Take a lovely drive and come see. Heirloom Cabinetry is on Nelson Road, just a few miles off of the main route 322.

Please support the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. All donation large or small are appreciated. Click on the Paypal button to the top right of this blog and follow several prompts and your money will be immediately sent to CPRC&D to continue work on this great community project.
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Meet the Squares: The Tuscarora Trail Rug

There are  many components of the Tuscarora Trail Rug that makes this a special piece. First and foremost its location.Spanning across Cumberland, Franklin, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin, and Perry counties, the Tuscarora State forest is  95,780 acres of beautiful forested wilderness. Visitors to the Tuscarora Forest will have the opportunity to commune with nature no mater what time of year visited. Winter provides a plethora of cold weather activities whether you have a passion for x-country skiing, snow shoeing or a cold weather walk in the woods. Springtime abounds with wildflowers such as the Trillion, Skunk Cabbage, Lady's Slipper and flowering Mountain Laurel. Additionally the woods abound with  special treats such as: ginseng and morels. Summer brings more and more flowers and birds and of course fall has a spectacular display of color from changing leaves.

The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails piece that is installed at the Tuscarora Ranger Station's fire building is a design adapted by the Locust Grove Retirement and Rehabilitation Village. Residents worked hard to design a piece that followed the original inspiration which was a hooked rug done in the 1800s by artisan Magdalean Briner Eby.

Magdalean Briner Eby lived in the area that is now the Tuscarora State Forest. She created whimsical forest scenes into hooked rugs. Her work is highly collectible today and she is considered one of the quintessential hooked rug masters of primitive American folk art.

There were many people that made the Tuscarora State Forest Trail Rug a reality. Stackpole Books, Kathy Wright, Rug Hooking Magazine, Deb Smith, Penn Dot, Department of Forestry, Community Partnerships RC&D, Locust Grove Village, family members of Magdalean Briner Eby and last by not least Gene Odata, District Forester at PA DCNR.

Meet the Squares: Sewing Shanty

One of the most touching back stories of a PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails quilt square was the Sewing Shanty quilt square created by Debra Andretta and Mark Paul Brong in honor of their father, who passed just a few months earlier. Wanting to honor their dad and his love of wood working, Debra, a talented quilter, created the "rough" draft by using fabric pieces to represent a variety of wood colors and textures. Mark then took Debra's template, adapting cloth to pieces of local wood and fabricated  a beautiful multi-textural inlay wood square. The quilt pattern initiated in fabric by Debra is called the "Sawtooth Square".

Although the Sewing Shanty has since closed, the piece has been relocated to the Daily Grind on route 45 in Vicksburg. This is a unique, beautiful part of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails that should not be missed. Take a drive through rolling hills and farmlands to Vicksburg, enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and see the intricate handiwork that honors another one of central Pennsylvania's artisans.

Meet the Quilt Squares: Hunters Valley Winery

Many people living in central Pennsylvania have kept much of the "old school" way of doing things. Tapping maple trees at the end of the winter, cooking down apples for apple butter and harvesting home grown veggies and fruits to "put up" are more common than not. Spend some time outside of the enclave of central Pennsylvania and you will realize how far many people have grown from hands-on living.

The first quilt square of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is installed at a place where wine is grown, harvested, fermented, bottled and sold. The entire process is done by hand. During the few months I spent at Hunters Valley Winery in Liverpool working on their quilt square,  I was privy to  part of the process. On one visit Bill, Shirley and a friend from the neighborhood, were pouring grape juice into wooden vats to be compressed. On another visit, Darlene, Shirley and Bill were inside hand bottling their delicious wines. Even the installation of the Hunters Valley Winery quilt square was a hands-on process for Bill and the two local Mennonite carpenters.

In this time of technological-driven procedures and processes, it is delightful to be exposed to hands-on industries. Take the time and head to Liverpool, photograph you and your friends/family/loved ones in front of  Pennsylvania's first quilt square and enjoy the beautiful setting of Hunters Valley Winery. Don't forget to bring home a bottle of some truly yummy local wine. Enjoy

Two broken legs

I, like most people in these hard economic times, have multiple, part-time jobs. Graduating college is no longer a guarantee of full-time well-paying employment. One of my jobs is working at a writing center at a junior college. Helping students with their papers and ultimately helping them pass classes that will lead to graduation, is rewarding (though not financially) work. Twice a week I work with a 72 year old gentleman who has enrolled in school to learn how to read, write and gain computer skills. He is very much a presence at the writing center and has become part of the "family". Two weeks ago he stopped coming to the center. After the first missed day I began my search for him, asking around for sightings, phoning his house and even driving to his house a few times to see if I could catch a glimpse of him sitting on his porch. Two days ago I found out that he had been hit by a car and was now in a nursing home with two broken legs and numerous other injuries.

I visited my gentleman friend and told him how much he was missed and how I had been looking for him for the previous two weeks. We talked briefly and I asked if he had any needs that I could take care of for him. As I parted he left me with this thought, "Life can change in an instant. One minute you are crossing the street to go get your morning cup of coffee and then next you are in an ambulance heading for the hospital."

The PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails will most likely be around long after we all are gone. However, now is the time to visit and support it. There may not be an opportunity tomorrow. Take your family and follow the trail.  Visit the Hunters Valley Winery quilt square on a date. Show your kids the world's first Trail Rug at the Tuscarora forest. Support is easy by using the Paypal button at the top right of this page. Take advantage of what you have today.

Late Winter Snow

There are three types of snow days that tickle one's senses: the first snow of the season, the first huge snowfall and a late winter snow. The first two types need little explanation. The first snowfall is delightful. Kids and adults alike can be found outdoors, catching snowflakes on their tongues, cleaning up skis in preparation for winter skiing and digging out all the warm and comfortable sweaters, scarves, hats and mittens, lovingly stowed away since  past spring.

The first large snowfall of the year is, for many, an unofficial holiday. Many school and businesses are closed. Often people stay in bed a bit longer, warm and snuggled amongst the winter comforters and wool blankets. Woodstoves are ablaze, filling the air with curls of smoke and the fragrant scent of wood burning.

However, and many will disagree with this statement, one of the best snows are the late winter snows. Because they are so late in the season, shoveling does not need to be as precise, most likely in a day or two the sun will shine and melt most of the snow anyway. Ofttimes, this will be one of the last snows of the year, so the chances for x-country skiing are few until the next winter. Many of the birds have returned. If you are fortunate enough to take a walk in the woods during or immediately after the late winter snow, you will be blessed with a forest full of bird chattering, cold, fresh air bracing your nose and cheeks and the feeling of being truly alive.

Central Pennsylvania has its beauty in all seasons, but its beauty in winter may be vastly under appreciated. This year make an effort to follow the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails during the last few weeks of winter. Enjoy the beauty that is free and yours for experiencing.

Support PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails today!!!!!!