Middlef ieldPOST Volume 9 ~ Issue 20
May 13, 2015
www.middlefieldpost.com
Neighborly News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Communities
Quilts Have Woven their Way Through the Fabric of our History ...
Inside ...
By Lynda Nemeth, director Destination Geauga
Village of Middlefield Page 2
Memorial Services Page 19
Health Section Inside
Plain Country Inside
uilting can be traced back as early as the 12th century, when quilted under garments were worn as armor. In the late 18th and early 19th century, most women were busy spinning, weaving and sewing to clothe their families, and only the wealthy had the leisure time for quilting. Their works were highly decorative items that displayed fine needlework. Throughout the Civil War era, quilts were used by the abolitionists to raise money to help end slavery, and historians tell of certain quilt patterns used as signals to help the slaves in their flight to freedom. Through the 19th century quilts evolved through many trends, from the traditional, to the ‘crazy quilt’, to the appliquéed quilts, to utilitarian quilts so simple in design that at times they were tied together more than quilted. Donna Sue Groves knew her mother Maxine loved quilting, and to honor her and her Appalachian heritage she wanted to have a painted quilt hung on her barn in Adams County, Ohio. It took several years and encouragement from friends before a plan began to form. Through her work with the Ohio Arts Council and other community organizations, Donna Sue slightly altered her plan. Rather than creating a personal tribute, she suggested a “sampler” of twenty quilt squares could be spread throughout the community that would invite visitors to travel through the countryside. Several barn owners signed on, the work began and in 2001 in Adams County, the first Barn Quilt Trail began. This simple, yet historically rich idea has now spread to 48 states and Canada, and the trail continues to grow. More than 7,000 quilts are part of organized
trails; dozens more are scattered through the countr yside waiting to be discovered. There are 38 documented co u nt i e s i n Ohio with Trails and now we, in Geauga C o u n t y , are ready to change that to 39. T h e G e a u g a Barn Quilt Trail is just beginning, and already m a k i n g great strides. Through a partnership between D e s t i n a t i o n Destination Geauga celebrated the installation of the first of G e a u g a many barn quilts for their Geauga County Barn Quilt Tour on and Geauga May 1 at Reba’s Second Look on Route 608 just north of Middlefield. (MP County Farm Photo/John Karlovec) Bureau a Steering Committee formed to establish Kent State Geauga Technology Department the guidelines. We have studied what other to create the Geauga Barn Quilt Trail counties have done and learned what has website (www.GeaugaBarnQuiltTrail.com). and has not worked well, so we are hoping Currently the site is a wealth of information to move right along with our project. Continued on page 2 Our group has also partnered with
Middlefield’s Got Talent Too
Postal Customer Local / ECRWSS
I
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Middlefield Post P.O. Box 626 Middlefield, OH 44062
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
For up-to-date community news go to www.MiddlefieldPost.com
Q
Talent Show • June 5 @ 6 pm Cardinal Middle School
Cash Prizes!!! 1st place $150 / 2nd place $100 / 3rd place $50
f you have talent... we want you! Calling all talented performers of all ages, from toddlers to greatgrandparents! If you dance, sing, play an instrument or have another hidden talent, your four-minute or less act could win you some cash! Enter “Middlefield’s Got Talent Too” in a bid to reach the top! The finals will be held on June 20 and the finalists will have opportunity to win one of three cash prizes. Audience members are always we l c o m e ! Co n t e s t a n t s must be available to perform on June 20! Visit www.middlefieldohio. com to view the rules and download the entry form. Call the Middlefield 2014’s Middlefield’s Got Talent Village Hall with questions, Too winner, Isabelle Macek. 440-632-5248.