Thank You

One year at Thanksgiving, my daughter and I decided to collect thanks on slips of paper pasting them all around the house then sharing what was on written the papers during Thanksgiving dinner. For me, the opportunity to verbalize thanks reminded me just how of the many things of which to be grateful. In the same tradition of gratitude, I give thanks for the following PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails related people, places and things:

Thanks to Hunters Valley Winery, the first quilt square of the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails. Not only did I experience a fabulous view of the Susquehanna River from the Hunters Valley vineyard I got to see the "hands-on" process of wine making and bottling.

Thanks to the Sewing Shanty of Selingrove. Debbie and Paul created the most wonderful quilt square from polished pieces of wood. Their work is a testament to the power of honoring loved ones.

Thanks to Gene Odata and all the forestry personnel at the Tuscarora State Forest. Thanks to Gene I discovered the Tuscarora Forest, a beautiful forest in a rural setting with camping, hiking trails, wild flowers and morel hunting.

Thanks to Kathy Wright and the folks at Stackpole Books for introducing me to Magdalean Briner Eby, an local, primitive hook rug artist who was the inspiration for the first "Trail Rug".

Thanks to the Juniata Valley Quilters Guild. This group supported two quilt squares, following the process through from beginning to end.

Thanks to Locust Grove Retirement and Rehabilitation Village. They took a complicated xerox of a photo of a Magdalean Briner Eby rug and successfully made it into a beautiful painted piece.

Thanks to Skills of Central Pennsylvania, a group of dedicated painters who made the Heirloom Cabinetry quilt square happen.

Thanks to Heirloom Cabinetry who lent the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails the side of their barn, framed and installed the "Carpenters Wheel" quilt square.

Thanks to Kristen Price. Because of her great photographic skills, the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails is visually available for all to see no matter where you are.

Thanks to Kevin Morgan, Joe Fiore and Mike Lennartz. These behind the scenes guys juggled plywood and paint deliveries with their own very demanding responsibilities of working for Community Partnerships RC&D.

Thanks to  Mackenzie and Madison Price who were dragged hither and yon, doing whatever necessary.

Thanks to Larry Schardt for taking me on as an Earth Team intern and assigning me this awesome project.

Thanks to the board of Community Partnerships RC&D who supported this project. The board of CPRC&D had the insight to see the potential of this project and gave full support.

And finally thanks to Sam Price, Executive Director of Community Partnerships RC&D who works tirelessly to make the PA Quilt (and Rug)Trails a reality, convincing the CPRC&D board, Central Pennsylvania community members, politicians and powers that be when necessary, supporting me when needed, while tolerating some out of the box, off-beat, crazy ideas I have. Thanks Sam you are indeed the man.

Support the PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails and next year add your name to persons to be thankful to.

Happy Thanksgiving

Sharon Lee

administer PA Quilt (and Rug) Trails