June 24, 2010

Just a quick note about this site and something that can be done to push this project along. Please click on the at the top right of this blog page. For each click, we receive financial compensation which in turn can be used towards our expenses. No purchases necessary just click (and tell a friend, or two, or three...)

S.L.

June 22, 2010

It's been a little over a week since my boss, Larry Schardt and I took the late morning train from Lewistown, PA to Harrisburg. Our trip started with a forty-five minute delay, causing us to question the potential of the train as a possible quilt trail route. Fortunately our time was delightfully spent talking with a young lady and her grandmother who were also waiting for the trail.

The ride is a pleasant one, just a bit over an hour. With the Juniata or Susquehanna rivers to our left side, we passed Amish farms, several small towns and many overgrown areas. Also along the route were many examples of invasive species such as honeysuckle and multi floral roses which though pretty and often fragrant, destroy the potential for native plants to thrive, basically taking over the landscape.

The train depot in Harrisburg has been beautiful restored and is definitely worth the trip. With one hour and fifty minutes until the return train to Lewistown, we met with Bill Sturgis of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania and had a great lunch just a few blocks from the station.

Train travel, often overlooked as a potential for travel is relaxing and quite enjoyable. My traveling companion and I enjoyed lots of legroom, and scenic views for the duration of the ride. At one point on the return home we were in fact so comfortable and relaxed that we chatted most of the way forgetting to look at potential quilt trail sites. (sigh)

Well it took the better part of a week to post a new blog but several days "in the field" attending conferences, meetings and train rides wrapped around a weekend, has delayed my best intentions.

Last week I spent the majority of my work day driving from Lewistown, PA. to Lewisburg, PA. looking for potential quilt sites. It was a wet, rainy day and though I was tempted to postpone this trip for a day or so. However, Pennsylvania's weather can be notoriously rainy and I decided to perservere and tour central Pennsylvania amid the raindrops.

Traveling northeast on 522 to Route 104, my first stop was Shade Mountain Winery in Snyder County. Through the mist, I could see sixty-five acres of grape vines across the road from a 19th century converted barn housing a winery, party room and retail shop. Needing a few minutes to dry off I met the propritors and baby Pete who was visiting grandma and grandpa for the day. Being on the clock I didn't feel a full taste-tasting appropriate but curiousity overcame my sense of restraint and a sample of fabulous elderberry wine was imbibed and a bottle of this deliciuos infusion was purchased to be enjoyed at home, on my porch, star gazing with my dog.(Corny, cliche and true.)

Just heading up the road I turned off to a horse and buggy Menonite dairy, specialing in raw milk and cheese production. This family operation is cooperatively managed by two generations of Menonites. I was given a brief tour of the cheese production room and thrilled to find the facilities immaculate.

The rest of the day was full of discoveries: the beautiful architecture of Lewisburg, A delicious authentic Mexican meal in Selinsgrove and lastly an accidental discovery of a covered bridge in Beaver Springs (near the home of Davy Jones of Monkees fame).

June 8, 2010

This week I finally tentatively nailed down six quilt trails for our entire quilt trail system. This was after three weeks of deliberation, compromise and after hours assessment. I often wish I was an "inside of the box thinker" but alas as much as I wish I had straight hair or was taller, there's not much that can be done to change my style of thinking.

Back to the trails.


Trail 1/Rural Fabric Trail
(Mifflin, Juniata, Snyder, Union counties)
This is as close to a trail like many of other Quit Trails have quite nicely designed. By following this trail through the northern tier of our five county region you experience Pennsylvania farm country at its finest. Many Amish communities are throughout this area of rolling hills, forests and rural farming communities.


Trail 2/Crazy Quilt Trail
(Juniata, Perry, Union counties)
This trail will be an artisan trail. 8' x 8' wood squares pieces will be painted and designed by Pennsylvania artists. These mini murals will follow the Susquehanna watershed, intertwining with an artist studio trail already in place along this corridor.


Trail 3/Green Rail Trail
(Lewisburg-Harrisburg)
Unlike many others the Green Trail is viewed from an Amtrak train car. Train leaves Lewistown, PA at 11:09am, arrives in Harrisburg about 2 hours later. There's an hour and fifty minute layover in Harrisburg just enough time for a leisurely walk or lunch. North bound train heads back to Lewistown. Along the route painted quilts will dot the trail route every ten or so miles. Additionally paints and supplies will be used that are sustainable and safe for our environment.



Trail 4/Lewisburg Walking Trail
(Lewisburg)
Lewisburg is a charming town with many historic buildings, restaurants, shops and art galleries. Experience this quilt trail by foot, bicycle, wheelchair or pogostick.



Trail 5/The Larry Schardt Sustainable Agricultural Trail
(Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Union counties)
Highlighted on this trail are agricultural farms and buissnesses that promote sustainability. See first hand created wetlands, contour and no till farming, and local CSAs.


Trail 6/Discovering Small Town Trails
(Juniata, Mifflin, Perry, Snyder, Union counties)
Connecting rural towns, this trail travels through five counties.

June 2, 2010

Amish Haystacks
Allensville, PA

Still processing some of the sights of last week, I decided this week that I needed to stay somewhat office bound to get some design work accomplished. A logo for the Quilt Trails project needs to be designed, detailed maps acquired and a basic information packet compiled. My background in graphic design is a bonus although way back when I studied graphic design at Pratt University (New York City ) as well as at Penn State, personal computers were not available and everything had to be cut and pasted by hand. Today many years later, programs like Adobe Illustrator expands an individual's ability in creation, as well as production.

Additionall, this week, I need to get detailed county street maps which are available through Penndot (Pennsylvania Department of Transportation). Last night by taping several Mapquest pages together I was able to determine the areas of my proposed four basic trails. If all goes according to my plans, there will be two traditional quilt square trails passing through the farm lands of Mifflin, Union and Snyder counties, much of which are largely Amish enclaves. The rail trail running from Lewistown (Mifflin County) through Perry County to Harrisburg (Dauphin County) will also feature traditional quilt square patterns. The fourth trail will be art squares created by state artists via a juried art show, complimenting an already existing art trail. This proposed trail will run along the west side of the Susquehanna River from just north of Harrisburg in Duncannon north to Lewisburg (Union County).