The Country Register Northern Rockies | July/August 2024

Page 1


What’s Inside?

• Cup of Tea with Lydia - Page 4

• Become Inspired - Page 5

• Hill City Quilt Show - Page 5

• The Little Things - Page 6

• Yvonne Hollenbeck Poem - Page 6

• National Parks by State - Page 7

• Where are the Wildflowers - Page 8

• Wildflowers by State - Page 8

• Plant Diaries - Page 9

• America in Stitches - Page 9

• Robyns Nest DIY - Page 10

• Shelterwood Book Giveaway - Page 11

• Mystery Quilt - Page 11

• Campfire Feature & Cooking - Page 12

• By the Yard Comic - Page 13

• Susan Branch - Page 13

• Idaho Section - Page 15

• Jacquelynne Steves Free Pattern - Page 15

Use

Country Register

Editor’s Notes

Simple Adventures in Your Backyard

www.MoxieMarketingMW.com

• 605-568-0181 • Kelsey Ruzicka • Publisher of this Country Register!

“I believe that there is a subtle magnetism in Nature, which, if we unconsciously yield to it, will direct us aright.”

- Henry David Thoreau

Summer is a great time for new things, traveling to new places, experiencing new sights and places. Often our adventures involve the outdoors. Whether that is a beautiful park to stroll through, a state or national park to sight see in, a great peaceful night around the campfire or sipping tea on the patio with friends. The common thread is nature. That rejuvenation that comes from nature is something you just can’t bottle.

Index on page 14 to help you find & explore a

Sunshine and a cool breeze through the window as you cruise through a beautiful state park. Breathtaking vistas you only see if you dare to hike into the woods. Calming sound of the stream or lake as you soak or float. The birds chirping, warm sunshine and floral aromas that make that happy place on the patio just right. The mesmerizing crackle of the campfire that seems to remove all the day’s worries. These are the the simple joys and lessons nature teaches us in these summer months. That time spent outside in whatever form is still what the soul needs.

We are lucky to live in states that offer both natural landmark adventure, but also cultural ones too. Festivals and events are abound in the summer months, offering adventures in our own “backyards.”

Though it is fun to go on long road trips, big adventures and bucket list trips. Simple adventures can be found right where you are or nearby. I recently took a trip only 5 hours away and saw things I hadn’t before or had forgotten where right under my nose. In awe of the beauty surrounding me. Life is busy and fast-paced. Lets’ not forget while mother nature is in her prime, to take in the natural beauty and gifts of the season. Enjoy the time spent around the campfire, on the patio, and outdoors.

“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” - Henry David Thoreau

Warm Summer Wishes & Simple Adventures to You,

-Kelsey

kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com Office: 605-568-0181

Kelsey Ruzicka Publisher of The Country Register of ND, SD, WY, MT & N. ID

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains including North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana & Idaho Kelsey (Snyder) Ruzicka, Publisher Produced by Moxie Marketing of the Midwest, LLC PO BOX 2015 • Belle Fourche, SD 57717 605-568-0181 Office www.countryregister.com/nrgp www.moxiemarketingmw.com

Publisher’s contact numbers across the USA & Canada for The Country Register

Send $3 to any publisher below to obtain a paper from another area:

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Owners: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Arizona: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Arkansas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, 405-470-2597, lenda@countryregister.com

* California: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Colorado: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797

* Connecticut: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD 21771, 866-825-2917, Fax 866-261-9641

* Delaware: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com

* Florida: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, florida@countryregisteronline.com

* Georgia: Linda Parish, P.O. Box 389, Lexington, GA, 30648, tcrga@windstream.net

* Idaho (N): Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Idaho (S): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Illinois: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Indiana: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com

* Iowa: Linda Glendy, P.O. Box 6, Tama, IA, 52339, IowaCountryRegister@mchsi.com

* Kansas: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Kentucky: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com

* Maine: Deborah Daney, 660 Country Club Road, Sanford, ME 04073, 207-324-7482

* Maryland: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Massachusetts: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Michigan: Bill and Marlene Howell, 3790 Manistee, Saginaw, MI, 48603-3143, 989-793-4211

* Minnesota: Kim & Mickey Keller, 12835 Kiska St. NE, Blaine, MN, 55449, minnesota@countryregister.com

* Missouri: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Montana: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Nebraska: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Nevada (N): Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, P 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950*

* Nevada (S): Glena Dunn, 4568 Carol Circle, Las Vegas, NV, 89120, 702-523-1803

* New Hampshire: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822

* New Jersey: Merle and Gail Taylor, P.O. Box 594, New Market, MD, 21774, info@countryregisteronline.com

* New Mexico: Jan & John Keller, 16755 Oak Brush Loop, Peyton, CO, 80831, 719-749-9797

* New York: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* North Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950

* North Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Ohio: Barb Moore, P. O. Box 37, Cable, OH, 43009, ohiocountryregister@yahoo.com

* Oklahoma: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Oregon: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* Pennsylvania: Gail & Merle Taylor, P.O. Box 128, Owens Cross Roads, AL 35763, 888-616-8319, Fax 800-609-0278

* Rhode Island: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* South Carolina: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 888-942-8950

* South Dakota: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

* Tennessee: Chris & Kelly Kennedy, 5804 Whiterose Way, New Market, MD 21774 443-243, cowprintdesigns@gmail.com

* Texas: Lenda Brown, P.O. Box 32581, Oklahoma City, OK, 73123, lenda@countryregister.com

* Utah: Available

* Vermont: Michelle Hatch, 20 Chester Street, Chester, NH 03036, 603-571-1822

* Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, P.O. Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Washington: Barbara Stillman and Lolly Konecky, 515 E Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085, 602-942-8950

* West Virginia: Dave & Amy Carter, PO Box 365, New Market, MD, 21774, ads@countryregisteronline.com

* Wisconsin: Scott & Jennifer Hughes, P. O. Box 276, Altoona, WI, 54720, jennifer@countryregisterofwisconsin.com

* Wyoming: Kelsey Ruzicka, P.O. Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717, 605-568-0181, kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com

CANADA

* Alberta: Ruth Burke, P.O. Box 97, Heisler, AB, T0B2A0,780-889-3776, countryregab@yahoo.com

* British Columbia: Bryan Stonehill, Box 1338, Summerland, BC, V0H 1Z0, 800-784-6711

* Manitoba & Saskatchewan: Scott & Marj Kearns, Box 850, Kipling, SK, S0G 2S0, countryregister@sasket.net

* Ontario: Harriet Ramos, Box 60, 4338 Innes Rd., Orleans, ON K4A 3W3, 343-882-5812

Summer's Simple Adventures

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains July/August • Volume 14 Issue 4

The Country Register of the Northern Rockies & Great Plains is published every two months. Copyright 2024.

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SEE OUR AD INDEX ON PAGE 14

Next Deadline: Ads and articles for the July/August 2024 issue are due August 7, 2024.

A Cup of Tea with Lydia: The Fragrance of Sharing Tea

Who doesn’t love a little bit of this and that? And that is exactly what a tea party can be! Let’s do a taste-test on a varie-TEA of teatimes.

1. A spot of tea and charcuterie!

My friend Kathleen had just returned from a 10-day mission trip to the Philippines with a team of eight people. As part of her home-based prayer team, I was eager to hear about her outreach and invited her for tea.

Since charcuterie boards with assorted foods are popular, I arranged most of the food on a pretty tray for us to share. It included crackers, two kinds of sliced cheese, thin salami slices rolled into roses and placed in small cups, cherry tomatoes, and fresh strawberries. If desired, you could garnish the arrangement with edible fresh flowers. On the side, I served teacups with homemade cheesecake topped with whipped cream and blueberries.

While we sipped Blackberry Sage tea, I learned that Kathleen and the team had shared God’s love with 2,700 prisoners in sixteen jails and prisons. They also distributed food, hygiene supplies, and 1,000 Bibles.

Kathleen spoke to groups of prisoners each day and blessed the lives of truly desperate men and women. She shared her heart with prisoners and spread the sweet-smelling fragrance of God. I sent her home with a small heart-shaped German chocolate cake and fragrant lilies from the table arrangement—further spreading a wonderful fragrance.

2. A simple “thank-you” tea shares love.

My niece’s daughter surprised me by ordering containers of Lyle’s golden syrup online to be delivered to my doorstep. She knew I had run out of this important cookie ingredient. To thank her, I invited my great-niece and her mother for tea and cookies made with golden syrup. (See recipe for Everyone’s Favorite Cookies.) After our visit, I sent them home with the remaining cookies and the flowers that decorated the table. Flowers make the perfect reminder of the fragrance of friendship.

Later my niece wrote: “Thanks for the tea and cookies this afternoon! It was just the pickme-up I needed.”

3. A tea can put the happy in birthday, and it doesn’t even have to be in person! My niece delivered a tea party in a box from me to my older sister, Ruth, for her 87th birthday. I kept it quick and easy with store-bought items including a colossal-sized piece of carrot cake, candles, several other treats, and her favorite candy bar—Baby Ruth.

I tucked in napkins, a small bottle of sparkling cider, and Harney & Son’s “Birthday Party” tea, which she enjoys. This herbal tea brews a rosy pink color and has a fruity flavor. To brighten her apartment, I sent along a flowering purple and rust chrysanthemum plant with a perky floral bow.

I also mailed her a card, in which I wrote:

You’re a Blessing!

Baking, cooking, sharing homemade English muffins

Loyal and loving—to family, friends, and God

Evangelical—leading Bible studies and offering spiritual help to others

Souper, caring cook—making me a gallon of Mom’s chicken noodle soup when sick

Singing—adding joy and praise to the lives of others

Industrious—helping in our yard and home

Never giving up—even on hard projects like recovering my chairs

Godly—testing my grandparenting Bible study with other grandmas before publication

You can adapt this idea to create your own card to bless someone. Whether teatimes are simple, fancy, in-person, or delivered, they can leave a lingering sweet fragrance for us and our guests. Who needs the fragrance of your love over tea?

Lydia E. Harris is a tea enthusiast and the author of three books for grandparents: GRAND Moments: Devotions Inspired by Grandkids, In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, and Preparing My Heart for Grandparenting, all available at amazon.com.

From Lydia’s Recipe File: Everyone’s Favorite Cookies (Brun Kaker)

I’ve yet to find anyone who doesn’t like them. The key ingredient is golden syrup. (From In the Kitchen with Grandma: Stirring Up Tasty Memories Together, Harvest House Publishers.)

Gather

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 T. powdered sugar

2 T. golden syrup (e.g. Lyle’s)

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

Make

1. Preheat the oven to 350°.

2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, sugars, golden syrup, and vanilla.

3. In a medium-sized bowl, mix together the flour and baking soda.

4. Add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, 1 cup at a time. Mix until blended. You may want to mix it by hand.

5. Divide the dough in half. Form each part into 2 long rolls, about 1½ inches around.

6. Place 2 rolls of dough on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake the cookies for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rolls have flattened and are lightly browned.

7. Remove the cookies from the oven and place the cookie sheet on a cooling rack. Using a pizza cutter or knife, cut each rope into diagonal strips that are 1-inch wide. Allow the cookies to cool slightly before moving them from the pan to cooling racks. When cool, store the cookies in a covered container.

Makes 3 to 4 dozen cookies.

Tip: You can find golden syrup in some grocery stores shelved near light and dark corn syrup, and also online.Serves about 6 to 8: Two or more tea sandwiches per person.

Hill City Quilt & Fiber Arts Show

September 7 & 8

The Heart of the Hills Quilters is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Hill City Quilt and Fiber Art Show on September 7 & 8 in Hill City, SD. Over 300 quilts and fiber arts items will fill the school gymnasiums and line Main Street, making the event one of the largest in the region.

Items on display include bed quilts, wall quilts, home accessories, weaving, knitting, crochet, needlework, rugs, felting, wearable art, and more. The Heart of the Hills Quilters’ annual challenge theme is books, such as a bookcase or interpretation of a book. Some of the quilts made by guild members and given to local veterans will also be shown. An international textile exhibit showcases fabrics from Africa.

Several awards are given during the show. Attendees can vote for their favorite entry in each category and for the overall Best of Show Award, which will be announced on Sunday morning. The Hill City Award is presented by a guest judge from the community; Hill City School District Superintendent Blake Gardner will select the recipient. A People’s Choice award will be given in the needle-felting challenge sponsored by Busy Ewe Farm & Fibers.

The guild invites locally renowned artists to display their work. The featured quilter is Joyce Hoyer of Rapid City who specializes in applique. Jean Selvy-Wyss, a weaver from Rapid City who has had her tapestries exhibited in regional shows, will be the show’s first featured fiber artist.

The show will also provide short classes and demonstrations, vendors with an assortment of products from quilting supplies to food and jewelry, raffles for quilted items and gift baskets, and a trunk show and dinner sponsored by Xi Alpha Chi on Saturday night. Some quilts are for sale, making the show a great place to buy a gift.

Several activities set the Hill City show apart from others. One is the “Pillowcase Project” display of more than 100 pillowcases made by community members for various organizations like the Purse Project, WAVI and WEAVE shelters, Gifts from the Heart Tree, nursing homes and Sleep in Heavenly Peace. “Even if you don’t quilt but sew, you can make a pillowcase to donate,” said organizer Mary Larson.

Bring your children to the kids’ area to color quilt blocks and learn to embroider. “Last year, we even had members of the middle school football team try it. I told them about famous sports figures who sew and knit and how it’s helpful to them,” said guild president Kay Cole.

The quilt block scavenger hunt returns this year with a pattern designed by Debra Clutter (host of the Dclutter Quilting YouTube channel). Participants will be able to pick up instructions for blocks from businesses in town.

The Hill City School is at 440 Main Street. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults and free for kids under 18. Concessions are available for breakfast and lunch and free parking is available throughout town.

People interested in entering their quilts or fiber items can submit their registration by August 30. Entries postmarked by August 1 will be entered into a drawing for a Janome Loft 100 sewing machine, donated in part by the Sewing Center & Fabric City of Rapid City.

To learn more about the Hill City Quilt and Fiber Art Show, go to heartofthehillsquilters.com.

Become Inspired

Long-Awaited Days of Freedom

The long-awaited days of summer arrive in often brilliant fashion. We are drawn into the captivating essence of this season of freedom that seems to always have something in store if we are open to it. Radiant mornings filled with sun and almost cloudless skies start our days off on a relaxing note as we listen to the beauty of the call of the ospreys or the rhythmic washing of the waves onto the sandy shore. Days off might find us in shaded solitude reading a recommended book from cover to cover in one sitting. Planned day trips with friends offer us a much-needed chance to reconnect and recharge with happy conversation over a delicious light lunch followed by a cool woodland hike.

Spectacular Season of Summer

Our weekend getaways to a quaint coastal town spark our curiosity and the anticipation of the trip reaches its peak as we journey forward with all new things in store. Family-owned lobster shacks, offering clam chowder and hot, buttered lobster rolls on perfectly weathered picnic tables are an afternoon treat not to be missed. Fully packed antiques shops dot the main streets and overflow onto the sidewalks on these happy, sunny days. Patriotic flags adorn the streets along with vibrant, deep red geranium blooms filling each storefront window box. The spectacular season of summer is in full swing and for that, we are grateful.

Midsummer Nights

After a fun-filled day of antiquing, ducking into local boutiques and maybe even dipping into the ocean for a refreshing swim, we can sense the midsummer night still has gifts to give. Reserving a table for two at a dockside restaurant to soak in the views of the fishing boats coming in is a promise worth keeping. As you enjoy a seaside meal, the daylight finally gives way to night, but not before giving you its explosive farewell. The summer sunsets seem to light the sky on fire as a grand finale to an ideal summer day.

Perhaps it is their fleeting nature that makes these days of summer so precious to us. When we embrace the fact that we have a hand in creating them, we can envision and design memorable moments that hold the power to fulfill us and keep us connected to all that we love.

--Annice Bradley Rockwell is an educator and owner of Pomfret Antiques. She is currently working on her book, New England Girl. NewEnglandGirl2012@hotmail.com

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Cowgirl Poet, Quilter, Entertainer

Prairie Patchwork

There’s a faded, handmade quilt on the sofa in her room, and she always had it neatly folded there; and when I’d ask about it, a smile came on her face; it pleased her so to think that I would care.

She’d open it and tell about the making of each block, and each one had a story of its own.

It was made when she was young and was living on the ranch in a sod house that she called her “prairie home.”

It was made from scraps of fabric from feedsacks she had saved, or from worn-out clothes her children had outgrown; and every single block in that pretty patchwork quilt just seemed to fit together like a poem.

The pink block was the color of the early morning dawn, and that crimson one like sumac in the fall; yellow was the color of her roses by the gate, and lilac was her favorite one of all.

The dark one made her think about those dry depression years when all the hills were parched and dirty brown.

Gray was like the rain that fell the day her husband died, it was after that she had to move to town.

She said that life itself is like a patchwork quilt, of births and deaths and all things in between; and just when you are thinking that everything is fine, along comes something new and unforeseen.

Just like her personal diary, as if she’d written in a book, with the dawning and the passing of each year; it seems her hopes and sorrows were recorded in each stitch and each time that I read it brought a tear.

The story of her life, she said, was stitched in that old quilt; on a corner on the back she signed her name; then called it “Prairie Patchwork”...she wrote that on there too, as a tribute to her life there on the plain.

Order Yvonne’s new book, “A Stitch in Rhyme” at www.yvonnehollenbeck.com just $15 + $3.50 postage.

© Yvonne Hollenbeck; 2024 Yvonne Hollenbeck, from Clearfield, SD, performs her original poetry throughout the United States, captivating audiences in her wake. She is one of the most published cowgirl poets in the West and is not only a popular banquet and civic entertainer, but

The Little Things

Life sometimes seems to go from one big thing to another. From car problems to Covid to rising prices, there is always another thing to grab your attention. Bad news sells, as any newsperson knows. Sometimes we enjoy scaring ourselves with the latest horror movie or disaster film. This story is not about that.

This is about something that happens in life that gives another effect. This is about the little things. You probably know what the little things are. Things done that take very small effort and get noticed just a little.

Writing From Life

My wife, Kerri, is an artist of the little things. The 3” vase with a variety of flowers that sits in the middle of the kitchen table? It didn’t just appear there. She takes the time to choose each bud and surround them with some herbs from the garden. She chooses each herb for reasons that only she knows. Sometimes because of the scent, never overpowering, but just there. Maybe a sprig gets chosen because of its healing power according to traditional medicine. Because, after all, the kids are coming over and one or another has a little cold. At other times just because it caught her eye. The total effect goes almost unnoticed. It is just a little thing.

I remember picking up this newspaper a number of years ago because I wanted to see what was happening in the area. What quilt shops were having a sale or special event that I could drive to during an upcoming weekend?

That’s ultimately how I got involved in Shop Hops. This year, I have already participated in two quilt store shop hops, and am looking forward to the third.

For me, Shop Hops Are Fun!

Mom notices. Once or twice a year we drive up from our home in North Carolina to stay with her in Wisconsin. Mom lives in the house that she has lived in since WWII, but at 103 she needs a little more backup. My sister, Linda and her husband, Mike, have been providing that backup for years, so a couple times a year we come up to give them a break. We move in with Mom for a week or two and do our best to spoil her.

The first shop hop I participated in this spring was a “local” hop, involving eight shops and four days. Working together, the shop owners had agreed on a theme, and each designed a free paper pattern to be given to each participant; the idea being that shoppers could complete a cute table topper when done hopping. I made it to four shops.

The first morning there, Kerri goes outside for flowers and brings in a 3” centerpiece. It sits on the kitchen table that has been in the same place since I was a child. Mom always notices. Her mother, she tells us, always did the same sort of thing. Probably for the same reasons.

Each shop, it turns out, featured a different color scheme and “finishing kit.” If a customer liked a specific store’s color-way the best, would that mean having to return to the shop when finished? Or, would customers end up purchasing several different kits, because they liked the next shop’s better?

Translation: Shop Hops Are Customizable.

For me, the beauty of the shop hop is also seeing what is unique to each shop. Although the second and third shop hops of the year are focused around specific lines of fabric—which each participating shop carries until they run out—there are also the differences in general inventory each shop carries. A template I have been considering, a pattern I never saw before, a specific fabric panel a previous shop ran out of, a line of fabric this new shop focuses on heavily; I think of these as the fun discoveries of a hop.

We have little rituals done much the same way each day. Since we are both awake before Mom gets out of bed, we have time to get her newspaper and set it next to her plate at her seat at the table. On her plate goes her women’s multi-vitamin and a baby aspirin. A recent concession to her age is a Tylenol. A glass of water waits with her pills. Also on the plate is a small piece of coffee cake or kringle. Next to the plate is one banana. For over ten years, Mike has been making sure that she has a supply of bananas. A little thing. The list goes on.

It is also intriguing to hear from shop employees who speak about which of the two largest shop hops they do—vs. do not—participate in, and why.

Shop Hops Are a Bit Overwhelming.

After watching her struggle to break open a banana, I started cutting a little slit on the stem of next morning’s banana to make it easier for her. I never knew that she noticed until this evening. She mentioned it while we talked on the phone. She noticed that little thing.

Historically, I only participate in a shop hop if I like the featured fabric. I conduct a bit of research online before-hand, and tend to make a decision. If there’s nothing “in it for me,” I stay on the sidelines. Participation in this year’s second shop hop started as a curiosity: I was going to be traveling a bit during its run, helping out a number of family members with other things. How many participating shops would fall naturally along each driving route?

Starting to feel guilty regarding the quantity of fabrics I have been purchasing, I got a lunch invitation from an old friend I haven’t seen in more than five years.

Kerri is a firm believer. Mom thinks that Kerri is single-handedly keeping the post office in business because of her weekly letters. Birthdays don’t get forgotten. Children receive postcards when we travel. The brief excitement of real mail for the cost of a stamp. Adding another crop to the garden because someone is fond of it. Paying special attention to a plant that a family member chose and then sending pictures of the flower in bloom. Little things.

While driving home from the last shop I visited for the second hop, I decided to bring a small gift to my friend: a table runner. No need to shop for specific fabrics, though, as my “stash” from previous years already contains the perfect complement of four designs at home.

© Jeanette Lukowski 2024. Jeanette is a mother, grandmother, teacher, and author who lives in Mankato, MN. She is inspired by the lives of strong women. Her email address is: writingfromlife@yahoo.com

The little things soften the hard edges of the world. They can be the difference between existing and living. They are small acts of love and faith and appreciation for the gift of life.

Wayne M. Bosman is a retired auto mechanic living in Cape Carteret, NC.

National Parks/State Parks

South Dakota

Badlands National Park

Custer State Park

Wind Cave National Preserve

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial

Wind Cave National Park

Black Hills National Forest

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Fort Stevenson State Park

Beaver Lake State Park

Grahams Island State Park

Lewis and Clark State Park

Idaho

Craters of the moon National Preserve

Yellowstone National Park

City of Rocks National Reserve

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument\

Bear Lake State Park

Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Bighorn Mountains

Devils Tower National Monument

Fossil Butte National Monument

Montana

Glacier National Park

Bighorn Canyon

Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park

Yellowstone National Park

Gallatin National Forest

Swiftcurrent lake

Helena National Forest

Where the Wildflowers Are

Whether you love the wild field variety or you love to cultivate flowers on your own patio. Flowers are a large part of our happiness barometer in the spring, summer and fall. We decorate with them and use them for food. We can also use them for other purposes such as pest control, medicine and more.

The love for flowers and yearning for understanding of them started long ago in Greek and Roman times and can be traced to Theophrastus (300 BC) who is today considered the "Father of Botany". A pupil of Aristotle, he was put in charge of the Athenian botanical gardens which resulted in his work, De historia plantarum, a compilation of observations regarding trunks, inner plant structures, roots, leaves and seeds. He described about 500 separate plants using these criteria.

Medieval herbalists were typically Christian monks who led more to a scientific understanding of herbs and plants.The 17th through 19th centuries saw the rapid expansion of botany which was consistent with a period of exploration and scientific development. Leading to famous botanists like Lewis & Clark and Charles Darwin.

Wildflowers are not only fascinating but play an important role in in the ecosystem. Wildflowers and wildflower-rich habitats, such as meadows, provide valuable support for insects and other wildlife. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, flies, wasps and more – rely on wildflowers as a vital source of food. In turn, 60 to 80 per cent of the world’s flowering plant species rely on animals to pollinate them, including many of our important food crops. Insects that feed on wildflowers also provide a food source for other animals and help to reduce the numbers of pests like aphids that attack crops. Wildflowers also support the soils they grow in, keeping them stable in the face of rainfall.

WIldflowers often make a great option for garden beds when grown effectively and cared for. Native species can thrive and require little maintenance. Find out more about your local wildflowers, visit a wildflower field or just enjoy while out exploring. Keeping great habitats for pollinators via wildflowers or planted annuals is always a good plan for everyone.

Wildflowers by State

South Dakota

Eastern Pasqueflower

Leafy Phlox

American Vetch

Western Wallflower

Purple Prairie Clover

North Dakota

Showy Goldenrod

Yellow Prairie Coneflower

Firewheel

Wild Bergamot

Prairie Blazing Star

Idaho

Aase’s Onion

Christ’s Indian Paintbrush

Camas Lilies

Syringa

Elkhorn Clarkia

Wyoming

Common Yarrow

White Sand Verbena

Baneberry

Orange Agoseris

Pink Funnel Lily

Montana

Clarkia

Yellow Bell

Sticky Geranium

Bitterroot

Little Larkspur

Strawberry Poppyseed Salad

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb. total)

1 tsp. sodium-free lemon pepper

Kosher salt

2 Tbsp. distilled white vinegar

1/2 tsp. finely grated orange zest

1 Tbsp. fresh orange juice

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1 tsp. poppy seeds

3/4 tsp. granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. dried minced onions

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1 (10-oz.) head romaine, chopped (about 6 c.)

1 (10.5 oz.-can) Mandarin oranges in light syrup, drained

3/4 c. pineapple chunks

3/4 c. strawberries, quartered

1/2 c. blueberries

1/3 c. toasted pecans, roughly chopped

Directions

Step 1 - Prepare a grill for medium-high heat; heat 5 minutes (or preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat). Place chicken between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with a meat mallet into 1/2"-thick pieces. Season chicken all over with lemon pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt.

Step 2 - Grill chicken, turning halfway through, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.

Step 3 - In a medium bowl, whisk vinegar, orange zest, orange juice, mustard, poppy seeds, granulated sugar, dried onions, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Slowly stream in oil, whisking constantly, until dressing is smooth and emulsified.

Step 4 - In a large bowl, toss romaine with one-third of dressing; season with salt. Thinly slice chicken against the grain and arrange over lettuce. Top with oranges, pineapple, strawberries, blueberries, and pecans. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.

American Stitches –The Threads That Bind Us

America’s 248-year-old whodunit: An urgent request. A good deed.

A needle, thread, and fabric. A missing piece of paper. The nation’s enduring symbol.

America’s national holidays are all quite straightforward in their purpose. Memorial Day is a day of remembrance. Labor Day celebrates work. Veteran’s Day is for those who have served in our military forces. July 4th – Independence Day – celebrates the formal creation of our country. It’s probably the most fun since it’s become synonymous with summer, parades, picnics and the all-important summer BBQ.

It also holds the mysterious question that took 200 years to solve.

We remember slices of history made on that July 4th in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. After months of negotiations and debates, representatives of 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence. It was a moment of massive courage. With their signatures, colonists pledged allegiance to their new country of united states and became traitors to the King of Great Britain. Not only did they have to return home and “sell” its concepts to their colony, but they also began a war of independence in earnest. They signed anyway.

Diving into details, they adopted a ‘great seal.’ Francis Hopkinson, one of the signers, designed the elements. We know this because he wisely presented the delegation with a paper invoice. A simple act, it became fuel for the mystery.

The delegates also determined to have a flag to represent the united nation. (We will leave the question of how men prioritize tasks to another day.) George Washington, commander of the Continental Army, accompanied signers Robert Morris and George Ross to visit Betsy Ross, widowed wife of Ross’s nephew and a highly successful seamstress.

Betsy Ross had learned sewing as a child and was apprenticed to an upholsterer when she married John Ross. They had a thriving upholstery business and, after John was killed in the early skirmishes of 1776, Betsy continued working mending tents and making flags for military units.

The men handed her a design featuring 13 6-pointed stars. Betsy famously took her scissors and, with one snip, made the stars with 5 points, as these were easier and faster to sew.

She sewed the flag with a canton of thirteen stars representing each colony. They were positioned in a circle on a field of blue. Red stripes symbolize valor; white for purity; blue for loyalty. Sadly, Betsy did not think to give the Father of Our Country a paper bill.

In the 1800s, nearly a century after she created our national symbol, people questioned whether she really made the flag or simply took credit for it. After all, there was no paper invoice. Only one paper fee to Betsy Ross survives. She made a flag for the Pennsylvania navy, and they recorded their payment on paper. However, Betsy repeatedly made the claim, and was quoted on it. In 1873, her grandson published her story, and it became history.

In 1952, on the 200th anniversary of her birth, the US Post Office created a 3-cent stamp showing Betsy sewing the flag under the watchful eyes of Washington, Morris, and Ross. With the literal and figurative “stamp” of approval from the United States Post Office, we have the government’s official view of the mystery. (This is good news for all the kids who write to Santa Claus.)

For crafters everywhere who joyously sew, create and share their love of handiwork, Betsy Ross elevated crafting with highest praise: “My needle is my pen; my thread, the ink. With each stitch, I write the history of this nation. . .. The stitches may seem insignificant, but they hold together the fabric of our nation.”

©Barbara Kalkis, 2024. Barbara writes, teaches, and consults for high-technology organizations. She is the author of Little Ditties for Every Day: A Collection of Thoughts in Rhyme and Rhythm. She loves history and crafting.

Plant Diaries

I’ve got a bit of a problem here and it’s called thistles. As a gardener who refuses to use poisonous weed killer, I’m on my hands and knees every spring, negotiating with the thistles.

I stab my knife down vertically until I can hear the satisfying “pop” of the weed coming up from its long single root. Over the past two weeks I’ve heard over a thousand pops. But unbeknownst to me, the thistles are thriving.

Underground, thistles send long horizontal runners. Thistles can pop up anywhere along its vast root network. In other words, there’s no cutting thistles down. There’s no killing them. Every time that I try to kill the thistles, the plant says no thank you. Their roots make new life points in the runners below.

In other words, I’m helping them thrive.

Have you ever been cut down, but you ended up thriving instead? Has a negative experience ever created a new life point within you?

Me too.

Sometimes in our daily routines we can forget to notice the new life points, i.e., opportunities, that are created. All we need to do is send energy there and it can pop up into the sun and flourish. Yes, circumstances may try to cut you down, but we are a thriving species.

What do you have running through your network that is begging to be born?

When we experience something that goes against our ability to thrive, it clarifies a new path. If we see something opposite of our value system, it redirects us to walk the path towards our value system.

We can easily be fooled with the illusion that life is static, programmed and predictable. I’m taking a lesson from the abundant thistle plant, realizing that there are many nodes in which I can send my energy – it may be left, right and zig zag all at once. What is my ultimate lesson from the thistle plant? That the unpredictable, zig zag line is the best path to thriving… and likely the most fun.

• Fruit Salad

• Pasta Salad

• Deviled Eggs

• Onion Dip

• Potato Salad

• Baked Mac & Cheese

• Bang Bang Corn (Pg 7)

• Coleslaw

• Baked Beans

• Strawberry Poppyseed Salad (Pg 13)

• Meatballs

• Corn Bread

• Macaroni Salad

• Cucumber Salad

• Stuffed Peppers

• Chicken Wings

• Parmesan Potato Wedges

Rag Bow

Summer is in full swing, which makes me very happy! This project is very simple (It may require a little time but not much) so you should have plenty of time for all those summer activities. A rag bow can be made from any fabric, muslin may be a good choice, but any cotton fabric will work.

You will Need:

You will need several designs of cotton fabric, about a half yard of each, some other ribbon (I used a cotton lace and ricrac ribbon), scissors, ruler and pen, hot glue and hot glue gun, buttons and optional things are burlap ribbon and embroidery floss ( I decided not to use these but you can).

Step One

Mark off each piece of fabric at 1.5 inches and cut a 2-inch slit. Do this on the shorter edge of the fabric.

Step Two

Rip the strips of each fabric (rip down the longer length), I used about 8 to 10 strips of each fabric. The frayed edges are what you want and so are the threads.

Step THREE

I used one longer strip of fabric to be the tie. Lay it out and find the middle. Take the other strips of fabric and lay them in a zigzag over the middle of your tie piece. Keep laying pieces over the middle until you have the thickness of bow you want; I used about ten strips. I also used some of the ricrac ribbon and lace. Using the tie piece, tie a double knot around the zig-zag pieces in the middle.

Step Four

Next take 8 to 10 strips (you may have some left over) and fold them in half. Lay the middle over the back of the bow part. Using the tie piece, tie another double knot to secure them to the bow.

Step FIVE

I hot glued a couple of buttons together and glued them on the front of the bow. You can use any blingy thing you want.

Step six

You have a beautiful rag bow. As I said, you can use any fabric and make this any size. They are great as door hangings or on a wreath. These are cool in red, white and blue.

FINISHED!

Lisa Wingate Releases Latest Novel

From Lisa Wingate, the No. 1 “New York Times” bestselling author of the blockbuster hit “Before We Were Yours,” comes “Shelterwood,” a sweeping novel inspired by the untold history of women pioneers who fought to protect children from land barons hungry for power and oil wealth.

Early readers of “Shelterwood” call it “a spellbinding and important tale” and “as heartwarming as it is mysterious and utterly absorbing.” Adriana Trigiani, author of “Big Stone Gap” and “The Good Left Undone” dubbed it “an Instant American classic.”

Bestselling author Lisa Scottoline, who wrote such novels as “Eternal” and “Loyalty,” calls “Shelterwood” “a seamlessly crafted tale of tragedy, resilience and triumph . . . Lisa Wingate once again gives poignant voice to the ‘lost’ children of American history.”

William Kent Krueger, bestselling author of such books as “This Tender Land,” “The River We Remember” and “Lightning Strike,” says “Shelterwood” is “a complex and fascinating tapestry woven with threads of history, mystery and menace that proves yet again that there is no finer storyteller at work today than Lisa Wingate.”

In this emotional and uplifting saga available June 4, 2024, from Ballantine Books/ Penguin/Random House, Wingate traces the story of children abandoned by the law and highlights the battle to see justice done. “Shelterwood” continues Wingate’s stunning use of little-known history to bring important stories to life with characters from years past and modern times.

For Wingate, who grew up near where the story is set, “Shelterwood” is an intersection of history, mystery and serendipity. “Writing ‘Shelterwood’ was a study in secrets hidden in plain sight,” she said. “As a child, I had a sense of things unspoken and unseen, of shadows lurking in tumbledown homesteads, on vine-covered railroad beds, in the skeletons of timber mills quietly decaying along secluded streams. Long before the days of cell phones and video games, we kids explored those oddities in detail, appropriated them as backdrops for our ‘let’s-pretend’ games. We gave them names and stories.”

She continues: “But the true history of the land was even more fascinating, more beautiful and more sinister than anything we could have imagined.” That history shows up in the breathtaking tale of “Shelterwood.”

Oklahoma, 1909. Eleven-year-old Olive Augusta Radley knows that her stepfather doesn’t have good intentions toward the two Choctaw girls boarded in their home as wards. When the older girl disappears, Ollie flees to the woods, taking 6-year-old Nessa with her. Together they begin a perilous journey to the remote Winding Stair Mountains, the notorious territory of outlaws, treasure hunters and desperate men. Along the way, Ollie and Nessa form an unlikely band with others like themselves, struggling to stay one step ahead of those who seek to exploit them . . . or worse.

Oklahoma, 1990. Law enforcement ranger Valerie Boren-Odell arrives at newly minted Horsethief Trail National Park seeking a quiet place to balance a career and single parenthood. But no sooner has Valerie reported for duty than she’s faced with local controversy over the park’s opening, a teenage hiker gone missing from one of the trails and the long-hidden burial site of three children unearthed in a cave. Val’s quest for the truth wins an ally among the neighboring Choctaw Tribal Police but soon collides with old secrets and the tragic and deadly history of the land itself.

Amid times of deep conflict over who owns the land and its riches, Ollie and Val both traverse the rugged and beautiful terrain, each leaving behind one life in search of another.

Lisa Wingate is the #1 “New York Times” bestselling author of “Before We Were Yours,” which remained on the NYT list for more than two years and has sold more than three million copies. She has written more than 30 novels and co-authored the nonfiction

“Before and After: The Incredible Real-Life Stories of Orphans Who Survived the Tennessee Children's Home Society” with journalist Judy Christie. Wingate’s books have been translated into more than 40 languages worldwide and have appeared on bestseller lists throughout the globe. Her new novel, “Shelterwood,” was released June 4, 2024, by Ballantine Books, part of Penguin Random House. One of her favorite things about being a writer is connecting with people‚— both real and imaginary. Find out more at www.lisawingate.com. Or follow her on Facebook at LisaWingateAuthorPage, or on Instagram @author_lisa_wingate. Shelterwood is available at most online bookseller sites, your local books store, and through Penguin Random House at this link. Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate: 9780593726501 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

Win a Copy of Shelterwood

Enter the drawing to win a free copy of Shelterwood by sending an email to kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com and put “Shelterwood” in the subject line. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number, and tell us where you pick your copy of The Country Register. You can also send a note or postcard to: The Country Register, PO Box 2015, Belle Fourche, SD 57717 The drawing will be held on August 1st and the winner will be sent a copy of the book after that and will be announced in the September-October issue.

Watch the Magic Mystery Quilt - 2024

Designed by Ann Jones, Nevada, MO

If you have any questions contact Erica at Nine Patch Quilt & Fabrics, Nevada, MO ericaskouby@gmail.com or 417-667-7100. Miss one of the parts? Check www.countryregister.com

PART II:

Piecing the Quilt Top (Option #1):

- Following the diagram below, piece together like a nine patch. Make four sections.

- We’re now going to take these four sections and sew them together like a 4 patch, turning them so the dark patches form the center diamond. See Diagram below for guidance. Looking for the Mystery Quilt? Email kelsey@moxiemarketingmw.com and we will send you the Mystery Quilt Kit!

Campfire Feature

As the summer sun sets, there's nothing quite like gathering around a campfire or fire pit with friends and family. The crackling flames, warmth, and shared stories create unforgettable memories. However, while enjoying these moments, it's crucial to prioritize safety to prevent accidents and wildfires. Here are some essential tips for ensuring campfire and fire pit safety during the summer.

Choose the Right Location

The first step in fire safety is selecting an appropriate spot for your campfire or fire pit. Ensure it's at least 15 feet away from tents, trees, and any flammable materials. Avoid areas with overhanging branches or dry grass, and always check local regulations or fire bans before starting a fire.

Prepare the Site

Clear the area of any debris, leaves, or twigs. Dig a pit, if necessary, and surround it with rocks to contain the fire. This barrier helps prevent the fire from spreading to the surrounding area. Additionally, keep a bucket of water, a shovel, and a fire extinguisher nearby as precautionary measures.

Building the Fire

When building your fire, start with small sticks and twigs, gradually adding larger pieces of wood as the fire grows. Avoid using accelerants like gasoline or lighter fluid, as they can cause the fire to become uncontrollable. Use only dry, seasoned wood to minimize smoke and sparks.

Managing the Fire

Once your fire is lit, never leave it unattended. Assign someone to monitor the fire at all times, especially if children and pets are nearby. Keep the fire at a manageable size, no taller than three feet, to maintain control. Be mindful of wind conditions, as gusts can carry embers and start unintended fires.

Extinguishing the Fire

When it's time to put out the fire, it’s best to allow the wood to burn completely to ash if possible. But don’t stop there. Pour water over the embers, stirring the ashes to ensure all embers are extinguished. Continue adding water and stirring until the fire pit or campfire is cool to the touch. Never leave a fire until it is completely out.

Consider Alternatives

If conditions are too risky (or not allowed) for an open fire, consider using alternatives like a portable propane fire pit or an electric heater. These options provide warmth and ambiance without the same level of risk associated with traditional campfires.

Educate and Lead by Example

Teaching children about fire safety is crucial. Explain the dangers and proper behavior around fires. Set a good example by following safety guidelines and demonstrating responsible fire management.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the magic of summer campfires and fire pits while ensuring the safety of everyone (and the environment!). Remember, a little preparation and caution go a long way in preventing accidents and preserving the beauty of our natural surroundings. Stay safe and enjoy your summer nights by the fire!

Chicken and Black Bean Nachos

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Kebabs

Tin foil dinners

Hamburgers and Hotdogs

S’mores different ways

Roasted Berry S’mores

Peanut Butter Cup S’mores

Chocolate Chip Cookie S'mores

Bang Bang Corn

Ingredients

• 1/2 c. sweet chili sauce

• 3 Tbsp. melted butter

• 1 Tbsp. sriracha

• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced

• Juice of 2 limes

• Kosher salt

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 6 ears corn, husks removed

• Freshly chopped cilantro, for garnish

Directions

Step 1 - Make bang bang butter: In a medium bowl, mix together chili sauce, butter, sriracha, garlic, and lime juice. Season generously with salt and pepper.

Step 2 - Heat grill to medium-high. Slather butter all over corn and grill, turning occasionally and basting with remaining butter, until tender and charred, 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 3 - Garnish with cilantro before serving.

Countryberries Designs

Little Cabin in the Woods

By

Make a wool or cotton appliqued wall hanging or mini quilt. Create a punchneedle or hooked rug piece. If you’re a painter, create this little cabin on paper, wood or canvas. Enlarge this pattern to your desired size. Whatever craft you choose, have fun! Not for commercial use. Please give the artist credit.

Countryberries LLC

Whimsies and necessaries for your country home and garden 330 North Road Deerfield, NH 03037 603-463-7615 www.countryberries.com Like us on Facebook Please check our website or FB page for current hours

2024

WELCOME TO IDAHO!

Join us as we explore the state of Idaho and their shops and events. The great state has much to see and offer. And is close to so many connecting Oregon, Washington, Montana & Wyoming shops and events as well!

Boise Basin Quilters Guild

Leap Into Quilting

Quilt Show

Friday, September 27th

Saturday, September 28th

10:00am to 5:00pm

Hundreds of Quilts, Live Demonstrations, Shopping, and More!

Tickets + Information BoiseBasinQuilters.org

Expo Idaho 5610 Glenwood Boise, Idaho

Contact Patty Today for Our Bundle Rate Available in 2024: countryregisterORWAsales@gmail.com

“Leap Into Quilting” in Boise

Boise Basin Quilters Guild’s Quilt Show is an annual event held on the last Friday and Saturday of September. This year it will be September 27 and 28 at the Expo Idaho. . The theme this year is “Leap Into Quilting”, spotlighting all the leaps quilters have made in their journeys.

The group’s raffle quilt this year represents their theme of “Leap into Quilting” with varying levels of difficulty, moving from the outside to the center, which features a Mariner’s Compass block. The contributors were Carol Bearce, Brice McLaughlin, Darlene Wallis, Joann Hopkins, Karen Falvey, Sharon Culley, Stacy Spaulding, Nancy England, and Jennifer Price, quilted by Donna Swanson of Rock Creek Quilting.

Over 300 quilts will be on display and many will be for sale as well in the Gift Garden. The Gift Garden offers many types of handmade items including quilts, wooden items, and sewn, knitted, and crocheted items. There are 23 judged categories for quilts and one of those categories is for Youth.

The Boise Basin Quilters Guild brings in two National Association of Certified Quilt Judges from out of the area. This year our judges are from Washington and Colorado. The quilts in each category are eligible for First Place ($100), Second Place ($50), and Third Place ($25). Over all awards are given for Best Hand Quilting, Best Stationary Quilting, Best Freemotion Track Quilting, Best Computer Guided Track Quilting, Best Applique, and Best Theme Representation ($100 each). Viewers Choice awards for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places are also given after the show visitors vote on the first day of the show.

Every show there is a Small Group area where the Boise Basin Quilters small groups display their challenges. These are also voted on by show visitors to receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place Viewers’ Choice Awards. This year they will be spotlighting small groups who will be displaying other group challenges and projects.

More than 30 vendors in the Merchant Mall will offer great shopping for quilting supplies, fabrics, notions and more. Free demonstrations will be given throughout both days of the show. There will also be a Quilts of Valor presentation on Friday, which is always very touching, with an honor guard and the veterans receiving quilts present.

Also, this year is a Featured Quilter area and this year will be honoring three of our guilds prolific and talented quilt makers. This year’s Featured Quilters are Karen Falvey, Joann Hopkins, and Esther Kleinkauf.

Boise Basin Quilters make Quilts for children and adults in need and in hospitals, pillowcases for pediatric inpatients in local hospitals, Christmas stockings for active duty military personnel and their families, and other items for patients battling cancer. The proceeds from the Boise Basin Quilters Quilt Show buys needed materials for these projects. We are a 501C3 (nonprofit) organization.

Boise is the capital of Idaho with a beautiful capital building, a bustling downtown area, lots of restaurants, hiking trails, plenty of golf courses, a zoo, children’s museum, many parks, theaters, and an active downtown nightlife. Boise is located in the Treasure Valley in Southwest Idaho. The Quilt Show will be held at the Expo Idaho campus. The Expo also hosts the Western Idaho Fair and many other events throughout the year.

More information about the Quilt Show and programs supported by the Guild can be found at www.boisebasinquilters.org or follow on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/BoiseBasinQuilters or Instagram at boisebasinquilters.

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