| Our Guild History |
Jean Johnson and Ione Knopp started a little quilt group back in 1982. The original meeting location was in Jean Johnson's home in Ellenton. As the members increased, meetings were held at Jean's Quilting Cabin, now known as Quilter's Haven & More. The guild was chartered by the National Quilters Association in 1983. The first officers were President, Jean Johnson; Co-President Ione Knopp; Secretary, June Short; and Treasurer, Betty Chennault. The first guild meeting was held in March 1983 and they had the first Quilt Show that month at the County Fairgrounds in Palmetto. A newsletter, "Manatee Patchworkers Chatter", was delivered in April. The Guild renamed the newsletter to its present name, "Manatee Patchwords" with its debut that May. The manatee also debuted as the logo for the Manatee Patchworkers. By 1984, there were 65 members, meeting in the evenings at the Courtyard. Our Guild today absolutely follows the pattern of those early years. There were workshops, quilt shows, guest speakers, classes and cottage groups. We are continuing the vision of those early founding members. As we approach 150 members, we enjoy the many aspects of the Guild that were begun those 24 years ago. A few facts & firsts...... First quilt show had a profit of $1,000 Georgia Bonesteel was a speaker in October 1984. Each ticket was $5.00. Dues began at $12.00 for the year. July 1988 - First Fat Quarter Raffle, "Novelty Prints" 1989 - Patchworkers created Children's Handprint Quilt to be hung in the Wiggins Store Museum, 604 15th St. E., Bradenton. Handprints of children were traced and a 6' x 6' quilt was created. 1990 guild membership topped 100 with 102 members. 1991 Kaye Wood was a featured speaker at the 1991 quilt show. "Patches" the manatee logo has changed over the years. Our current "Patches" debuted in November 1993. 1997 - First Retreat - August 8 & 9 Quilt Show Names over the Years Presidents Over The Years 1984 – A Piece of Times Jean Johnson 1985 – A Star is Born Wanda Curtin 1986 – The Pleasure is Ours Lorraine Brown 1987 – Unknown Kathy Curtin 1988 – Heart & Home Rose Sikorski 1989 – Today’s Treasurers Jean Ann Cooper 1990 – Among the Lilies Maxie Bossemeyer 1991 – Yesterday’s Lessons – Tomorrow’s Treasurers Jann Warfield (Eve Asbury - served only 1 month) 1992 – Quilts of Pioneer Days Irene Murphy 1993 - Discovery Nancy Adams 1994 – For Heaven’s Sake Mary Lou Cannon (2 terms) 1996 – Scrap Magic Debby Lake 1998 – Anniversary Rose Peggy Whiteman 2000 – Fall Fantasy Mary Alexander (2 terms) 2002 - A Quilter's Odyssey Betty Armstrong (3 terms) 2004 - Reach For the Stars Denise Pendleton 2006 – Keep the World in Stitches Brenda Broadbent 2008 - Quilting to the Rhythm of Life Carol Lipp (2 terms) 2010 - QuiltFest 2010 Sandi Routhier Juanita Dickinson (Interim) Sandi Routhier 2012 - Quilting By The River Bobbie Spann |
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