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History of

West Central Ohio Quilters Guild

Many thanks to Carol Ginter for racking her brain, reading minutes

and looking at materials written by other members to document our history.

 

How It All Started

 

In 1983 the Lima Public Library received a Library Services & Construction Act (LSCA) Title I funds grant, making it possible for the Audio-Visual Department to present a Patchwork Quilting Workshop

 

On Wednesday July 27, 1983 Margaret J. Eckford and Cynthia Buettner from Needle Craft Shoppe presented a workshop program titled “Everything You Need to Know About Quilting”.

 

It was at this program that Margaret Eckford suggested the possibility of forming a quilters' guild in our area, she talked about how other guilds were organized and offered a copy of a constitution and by-laws from an existing guild by which we could pattern our own.

 

A first organization meeting was held October 11, 1983 at the Lima Public Library.

 

On November 15 the public was invited to come to the 2nd organizational meeting held at 7:00 PM at Apollo Joint Vocational Center. At this meeting the name of West Central Ohio Quilters’ Guild was chosen.  Twenty Six Women came from Lima, New Knoxville, Wapakoneta, Lafayette, Delphos, Elida, Bluffton, Hume, Perry Township, and Cridersville. Of these 26 women, the following were still members in 2011. Carol Ginter, Shirley Roeder, Ruth Mowery, Elva Shepherd, Pat Henderson, Mary Ruda, Barb Koontz, Rhea Rolston, and Jean Weaver. Those who were members from this group and remained members until they passed away were Sandy Shaw, Mary McCain, Opal Zerbe and Ruth Sheidler.  Temporary officers were named and a Constitution and By-laws committee was selected.

 

At a third meeting at Apollo JVS on January 17th, 1984 the Constitution and By-laws were adopted and officers were elected. The first officers of the WCOQG were Cynthia Buettner, President; Sandy Shaw, V. President; Nancy Austin, Secretary; Kathleen Kentner, Treasurer and Marcia Aasmundstadt, Historian.

 

We were very busy during our first few years as a guild.  The board decided we needed a banner to display when participating in public events. It was pieced and appliquéed by members of the board. We use it every year at our quilt show. Also in later years another banner with our name and logo on it was made to be hung from the front of a table.

 

A logo and motto contest was held our first year. Laura Fennamen who was our 1985 President won the logo contest. The logo is at the top of this page. The motto is The Heart of it all.

 

The following are some of the activities of the first year.  

In 1984:

We had our first guest speaker Irene Goodrich who is a famous quilter from Columbus, Ohio. The meeting was held at the Heritage Room of Chiles and Laman Chapel of Memories (Funeral home). We held at least two more meetings in the Heritage Room over the years.

Our first Newsletter was published in 1984.

 

 

Where we went from there

1985

We were accepted as a member of the Lima Arts Council.

We held our first Quilt Show at the Elderly Day Care Center in Lima, Ohio.

The board decided that each chapter should have a representative on the Executive Board. Original Chapters were Elida Piecemakers, Nifty Needles, Bluffton Scrap Artists, Hawg Creek Quilters, Town & Country Quilters and Blackhoof Quilters.

 

1986

We became a chapter of the National Quilting Association.

We sponsored an Ohio Research Day at Apollo Career Center.

We demonstrated the Art of Hand quilting at Square Fair Lima, Johnny Appleseed Festival, Once Upon a Sunday,(an Art Festival sponsored by Art Space Lima) and the Christmas Tree Festival at the Allen County Museum.

 

1987

We purchased pins in the shape of the state of Ohio that look very much like our logo. The Logo pins were our first money making project.

We participated in “Days of Yesteryear” at the Allen County Fair. We were paid $80.00 for demonstrating at this event.

The first two men quilters who joined the Guild were Art Ginter and Jim Hoffer.

 

1988

Under Martha Burden’s leadership we produced and sold Quilters Cookbooks. Many members are still using theirs today.

Our first Retreat was held at Deer Creek State Lodge in January. Judy Maxwell was instrumental in organizing this Retreat. As of 2011 we have sponsored 23 retreats.

Judy Hauenstein and Carol Ginter have attended all 23 of them. The yearly retreat has been one of our most successful activities.

 

In 1986-1987 the meetings were held at the Elderly Day Care Center in downtown Lima.

In 1988 we moved our meetings to Forest Park United Methodist Church, Fellowship Hall. In about 2004 we had to move to the Family Life Center because we outgrew the Fellowship Hall.

 

From 1983-1990 we had from 36-56 members attend the meetings even though we had about 90 members.

 

During the 1991 year we prepared to host the Style Show and Banquet that was a part of the 1992 NQA Show that was held in Bowling Green, Ohio in August. We made 425 Quilted Ohio Star Coasters.

 

In the beginning dues were $5.00 a year, we had 36 members, and we held 4 meetings yearly. Dues are now $15.00 yearly, we have 200 members and we hold 10 meetings a year. Some of the events that we participated in during the early years are no longer in existence. Through the years we have done many raffle quilts, we have had auctions, banquets, style shows, retreats, lectures and workshops. We have had members’ work published in books. We have had members entering and attending National Quilt Shows. We have had a lot of great guest lecturers and workshops by some big name teachers. We are always looking forward.

2000

The annual Retreat was held at the Hoiliday Inn (later a Howard Johnson) for the first time.

 

2008

We celebrated our 25th anniversary with an anniversary party.  Let’s look to the future

and plan for our 30th anniversary.  This is a great organization and I am so happy that I was able to be a part of it from the very beginning.

 

Compiled by Carol Ginter

From the Secretary’s Reports

The first Publisher, Nancy Austen’s Records

And some from memory.

 

2009

Elected Officers:

President: Rebecca Barber        Historian: Elaine Fisher

Vice President: Debbie Green   Publicist:  Susan Pardon

Secretary: Roberta Brewer        Newsletter Editor: Kellie Salsbury

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

Newsletters sent out electronically for the first time in January of this year!

 2010

Elected Officers:

President: Rebecca Barber            Historian: Karla Stiverson

Vice President: Debbie Green        Publicist: Karla Stiverson

Secretary:  Roberta Brewer           Newsletter Editor: Kellie Salsbury

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

 

 

2011

Elected Officers:

President: Barbara Blackburn      Historian: Beth Spencer

Vice President: Carol Ginter        Publicist: Rebecca Barber

Secretary: Roberta Brewer          Newsletter Editor: Kellie Salsbury

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

Our chapters are: Calico Cutups, Cellar Sewers, Cozy Cabin Quilters, Logan Piecemakers, Nifty Needles, Sew Blessed and

Town & Country Quilters

May 7, 2011

We received letters today stating The AQS Ultimate Guild Challenge has been accepted for the 2011 Show! Carol Schlosser, Carol Kill, Carol Ginter, Janet Rego, Arlene Rogers, Joan Maxwell and Debbie Green are the 8 that have pieces entered into the  AQS Knoxville 2011 Show. Also Elva Shepherd pieced and Carol Ginter quilted a Magnolia Quilt that was accepted into this year’s show.

2012

Elected Officers:

President: Barbara Blackburn      Historian: Beth Spencer

Vice President: Carol Ginter        Publicist: Rebecca Barber

Secretary: Roberta Brewer          Newsletter Editor: Kellie Salsbury

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

 

2013

Elected Officers:

President: Carol Ginter                    Historian: Beth Spencer

Vice President: Kathy Vermillion    Publicist: Cathy Varno

Secretary: Roberta Brewer               Newsletter Editor: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

 

We had birthday cake at the 2013 Retreat to celebrate our 30th birthday!

2014

Elected Officers

President: Kellie Salsbury                 Historian: Beth Spencer

Vice President: Kathy Vermillion     Publicist: Cathy Varno

Secretary: Linda Huston                   Newsletter Editor: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Arlene Derringer

We had our first Mentor Program this year with 10 attendees and 8 Mentors from the Guild. The youngest attendee was 9 and the oldest were twins, 80+ years! 

A contest was held this year for a new logo.  Joan Maxwell won with this artwork.

2015

Elected Officers

President: Kellie Salsbury                 Historian: Kathy Vermillion

Vice President: Janet Rush               Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Secretary: Linda Huston                   Newsletter Editor: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Nancy Osborn

 

The Sauder village Quilt Show is northwest Ohio’s premiere quilting event.  Several of our members entered quilts.  Congratulations to the following members who won!

SAUDER VILLAGE CHALLENGE:  1st Place Marilyn McLain, 3rd Place Linda Huston, Honorable Mention Kathy Vermillion

WALL QUILTS: Pieced & Home Sewing Machine Quilted:  2nd Place Kathy Vermillion
WALL QUILTS: Pieced & Long arm/Mid arm Quilted:  3rd Place Janet Roll
WALL QUILTS: Other Techniques:  1st Place Linda Huston, 3rd Place Linda Huston, Honorable Mention Janet McClintock

 

Charlie Dyke, is a WCOQG member and a WW II veteran who served in Europe. He presented Jerry Anderson, a Toledo TV News anchor, a flag-themed quilt Charlie MADE!! He learned to quilt when he was 80 (he's now 91)! He says it's for all I do for veterans. Which is nothing compared to what they've done for all of us.
Thanks Charlie!!

 

The Executive board spent a great deal of time this year working on revising our Constitution & Bylaws and our Policies and Procedures.  Our goal was to simplify our By Laws and put more details into our Policies and Procedures.  These  Policies and Procedures will help future officers and committee chairs have a better understanding of what is expected of them in fulfilling their duties.  The revised Constitution and Bylaws were accepted this year. Many thanks to all the committee members for their hard work in this endeavour!  

Group picture taken at Retreat-January 2015

 2016

Elected Officers

President: Kellie Salsbury                 Historian: Dave Maxson

Vice President: Kathy Vermillion      Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Secretary: Linda Huston                   Newsletter Editor: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Connie Rode

We started the year with a bang with a 5 day Retreat having 128 registered participants and 149 members.  We had 5 chapters at the beginning of the year; Calico Cut-Ups, Cozy Cabin Quilters, Logan Piecemakers, Sew Blessed and Town and Country.  During the year we welcomed Bluffton Scrap Artist as a 6th chapter. The Executive Committee passed a motion to accept the Policies and Procedures that were so diligently worked on last year.  Great job to those on the Executive committee for taking on this daunting task!

Mary Ruda took over the Mentor Program and the second Mentor Class was held. 14 Guild members showed up to help 13 people.  A few months after the class one of the attendees said “I want to thank you for all your help.  I’m glad your organization offers the quilting class so we have a chance to see if we like quilting.  The food was wonderful and the price unbelievable.” 

On January 21 we bid a member of our Guild goodbye.  Charlie Dyke was loved by all and we will miss him dearly. We also bid a final good bye to Adele Heckman who passed away on September 21.  Her laughter and talent will be missed.

2017

Elected Officers:                                    

President: Kathy Vermillion                    Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Vice President: Barbara Blackburn       Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Kaye Seese                   Historian: Dave Maxson

Treasurer: Kellie Salsbury

WCOQG once again was chosen for the AQS Guild Ultimate Challenge. This year they took Honorable Mention!  Congratulations to those who worked hard and entered this challenge. See the Challenge page on this website for pictures of those who entered and their work.

2018

Elected Officers:                                    

President: Kathy Vermillion                  Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Vice President: Elaine Fisher                Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Betty Blumenstein               Historian: Dave Maxson

Treasurer: Kellie Salsbury

Member David Edwards passed away on June 8. He accompanied his wife, Betty, to retreat and always had a smile for everyone. Our condolences to his family.

2019

Elected Officers:                                    

President: Kathy Vermillion                  Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Vice President: Janet Roll                      Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Sharon Guice                         Historian: Dave Maxson

Treasurer: Kellie Salsbury

Janet McClintock passed away on December 1. She was a very talented quilter who won many challenges and awards.  She was always willing to share her skills with other members.  Her bubbly personality, talent and smile will be greatly missed.

2020

Elected Officers                                      

President: Cathy Smalley                       Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Vice President: Janet Roll                      Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Sharon Guice                        Historian: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Kellie Salsbury

After 16 years as Retreat Chair, Joan Maxwell is stepping down.  This is her last year as Chair.  Thank you Joan for your many years of service and work in giving us a great retreat!  The Guild welcomes Debbie Green as our new Retreat Chair!

This was a difficult year for many as the Corona virus Pandemic caused a huge change to our lives.  We wore masks, learned to social distance and most of our meetings and programs were canceled this year.

Member Barb Koontz passed away in September of this year at age 92.  She will be greatly missed by all.

2021

Elected Officers                                      

President: Cathy Smalley                       Publicist: Chandra Neeper

Vice President: Janet Roll                      Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Sharon Guice                         Historian: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Kellie Salsbury

This year started out as last year ended.  The Corona virus Pandemic caused us to wear masks, practice social distancing and cancel events including our beloved retreat in January. We did manage to have the Summer retreat and meetings in the end of the year.

Two Members, Lyn Rumer and Linda Patton, passed away this year. Lyn left us in September and Linda in October.  Lyn was a very soft spoken person who's quilting skills were amazing. Linda was instrumental in coordinating our AQS challenges.  Both will be deeply missed.

2022

Elected Officers                                      

President: Cathy Smalley                       Publicist: Sharon Guice

Vice President: Miranda Sterling          Newsletter Editor: Debbie Green

Secretary: Kaye Seese                             Historian: Kaye Seese

Treasurer: Carolyn Owens

The Pandemic is still playing havoc with our lives.  We did, however have retreat!!

Member Bonnie Hansen passed away in Spetmeber of this year. She was an advid quilter whose smile and contirbutions to the Guild will be missed.

2023

Elected Officers               

President: Miranda Sterling                                        

Vice President: Mary Payne

Secretary: Kaye Seese   

Treasurer: Carolyn Owens

2024

Elected Officers               

President: Miranda Sterling                                        

Vice President: Phyllis Rose

Secretary: Mary Payne  

Treasurer: Carolyn Owens

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