Columns

EDITOR’S

NOTES

BRIAN JEWELL

‘LET’S FIGURE

THIS OUT’ N ot even a global pandemic “One said, ‘This is a rallying cry,’” she can stop the Quilt Gardens told me. “He said ‘It’s going to be a symbol. from growing. So many things have been canceled, but this

For 13 years, the Quilt is not getting canceled.’” Gardens have been a fixture “It was those partners who took it upon of Northern Indiana’s Amish Country. In the themselves,” she said. “Our communities and cities and towns throughout Elkhart County, individuals are stepping up more than ever gardens laid out in the colorful patterns of heribefore. They’re funding the flowers and doing tage quilts are a bright spot of summer, and the labor. They’re saying they’re not going to many groups plan their trips to the area to coinlet this die because it’s their way to express cide with the Quilt Gardens schedule. their love for their community.”

The Quilt Gardens will be in full bloom I did my best to maintain my composure this summer. But in a year that has turned everyduring that call. But I’m willing to bet Sonya thing on its ear, that wasn’t a certainty. The Quilt noticed the occasional crack in my voice and Gardens project is a public-private partnership a bit of mist in my eyes. spearheaded by the Elkhart County Convention The past few months have been trying for and Visitors Bureau. Typically, the CVB funds everyone. For those of us who work in tourism, it much of the installation and maintenance of the has been especially painful. Even as restrictions gardens. But when the pandemic caused tourease and people begin venturing out, the road ism organizations around the country to freeze to recovery is going to be long. But hearing the their budgets, the CVB was unable to provide story of the Quilt Gardens inspired me. funding for the gardens. If the people of Elkhart County can rally

Sonya Nash, director of group and experitogether to support something they love, then ential sales and marketing at the CVB, runs the the people in your community can, too. Quilt Gardens project. When she realized there All over America, communities are getting would be no funding this year, she began reachready to rally. And they’re getting ready for ing out to partners to share the news. guests. Sonya said she already has group book

“I called each site one by one and laid ings for late summer and early fall. And the out the situation,” she told me in a recent Quilt Gardens may stay open a bit longer than Zoom call. “The very first call was to an normal so those visitors can see them. Amish noodle shop. He said, ‘This brings You may be wondering if your group will people to my door. My family loves it. I just ever travel again. But don’t give up hope. Travel can’t imagine not having it. You have helped is too important to lose. us with this for the last 12 years. For one Instead, I suggest we follow Amish year, I can do it. Let’s figure this out.’” Country’s lead. There are still a lot of unan

As the calls continued, Sonya found swered questions for all of us. But we don’t have similar reactions from nearly all the Quilt to surrender to despair. Garden partners. Let’s figure this out.

BRIAN JEWELL [

EDITOR

] brianj@grouptravelleader.com