Grand Island River Lea Quilters Guild

River Lea Quilters Guild
Grand Island, NY

http://www.isledegrande.com/quilters/riverleaquilters.htm
jeanbright@att.net
President - Anna Topolski
1st Vice President (Programs) -Sandie Nethero
2nd Vice President (Membership) -Jean Brighton
Secretary -Carolyn Doebert
Treasurer -Janet Bianca
Community Service - Pat Etue

Contacts:
Anna Topolski, 773-4266
Jean Brighton, 773-2214

"Our purposes are to enhance our skills in quilting by sharing of ideas, expertise and fellowship among guild members and to serve the community through charitable donations of time, money and talents."
Monthly meetings are held in the High School Senior Cafeteria Sept - June on the third Tuesday of the month @ 7 p.m. Changes to time & place are posted in isledegrande.com, Grand Island PennySaver and in the Island Dispatch. The guild's strengths are in the talent and artistry of the quilters. Presently, there are 40 members of varying age and level of quilting expertise. New members are always welcome! Please contact the 2nd Vice President or any other member for more information.

Our 2008 – 2009 year will focus on charity quilting for the residents of Elderwood Nursing Home, expanding
our skill levels and sharing the love of the quilting arts with anyone who is interested.

River Lea Quilters 2010 Charity Quilt Show - 2010
"Quilts That Warm Our Hearts" - 2010 Charity Quilt Show:
Date: April 30 - May 1, 2010
Location: Whitehaven Road Baptist Church, 1290 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY
Time: 10am - 5pm each day
Admission: $5.00
Proceeds will support Hospice of WNY, the WNY Food Bank and the Grand Island Library. There will be an opportunity quilt for auction, basket raffle, silent auction and a Guild Boutique filled with handmade items.

River Lea Quilters Meetings - Workshops - 2009

2009 Meeting Dates:
Jan 20 - Sewing Bee
Feb 10 - Jan Brecht and Leaf Print Quilts
March 17 - Marie's Quilt Shop and Cutting Techniques
April 21 - Working Meeting for Quilt Show Boutique Items
May 19 - Linda Hunter and Quilt Judging
June 16 - Year End Picnic 

2009 Workshop Dates:
Jan 31 - Curved Piecing with Anna Topolski
Feb 28 - Hand Quilting with Phyllis Hall & Judy Drozdowski
Mar 28 - Liberated Log Cabin Quilts with Michelle Hurley
May 5 - Stack and Whack Quilts with Hollis Busch
June 6 - Crazy Quilts with Jane Bedore

River Lea Quilters Share Their Hobby - Dec. 2008

Click photo for larger view
   Several members of River Lea Quilt Guild met at the Grand Island High School in December for a Saturday Work Day. There they made over 30 lap quilts to be donated to the residents at Riverwood Nursing Home. The quilts were displayed at the December Christmas Party held at the High School. The Guild members welcomes any person interested in the art of quiltmaking and invite them to Guild meetings on the 3rd Tuesday of the month. Meetings are held in the Grand Island High School Senior Cafeteria at 7 p.m. when a short business meeting takes place followed by a program related to quilting. "Hope to see you there!"

River Lea Quilters Guild Christmas Meeting - Dec. 2008
River Lea Quilt Guild will host its Christmas Meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, December 16 in the Grand Island High School Senior Cafeteria. Members will enjoy holiday goodies and hold a gift exchange. For information call Hollis at 774-0113.

River Lea Quilters Guild Community Service Day - Dec. 2008
River Lea Quilt Guild will host its Community Service Day 9 a.m. Saturday, December 13 in the Grand Island High School Senior Cafeteria. Bring your sewing machine and scissors to help make quilts for the Riverwood Health Care Center. For information call Hollis at 774-0113.

River Lea Quilters Community Service Project - 2007 - 2008

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   The members of River Lea Quilt Guild made and donated 90 quilts to Project Linus for the 2007-08 year. All the quilts were sent to hospitals and other service organizations in WNY for children in need.
   Project Linus is a 100% volunteer, non-profit organization that provides children with new, homemade, washable blankets, quilts and afghans. Blankets are collected locally and distributed to children in hospitals, shelters, social service agencies, or anywhere that a child might be in need of a big hug. See http://www.projectlinus.org/

River Lea Quilters Guild Show - 2008

Quilt Raffle - Tree of Life Medallion pattern. Be sure to click photo for larger view!

The Work of Our Hands Quilt Show photos - Click for larger view!
   The River Lea Quilters Guild will present The Work of Our Hands Quilt Show, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 18 and Saturday, April 19 at Whitehaven Road Baptist Church, 1290 Whitehaven Rd., Grand Island, NY. Admission is $5.00. Featured will be a Chinese auction for 50 baskets and a raffle for a beautiful, king size quilt with a Tree of Life Medallion pattern. There will also be door prizes, vendors, and light refreshments. The River Lea Quilters Guild is a not for profit organization that holds a quilt show every two years. All proceeds will go to local charities. This year's recipients are: Grand Island Neighbors Foundation, Haven House of Buffalo (for battered and abused women and their children) and the Western New York Food Bank. For additional information, call Hollis Busch at 774-0113.

River Lea Quilters Guild Picnic and Challenge Contest - 2007

(left photo) New officers Jane Bedore, Judi Drozdowski, Hollis Busch, Adele Upton, and Sandie Nethro
Sharon Drumm, 3rd place winner
Sandy Nethero, 2nd place winner
Hollis Busch, 1st place winner
Click photos for larger view!
   The rain did not dampen the annual River Lea Quilter’s Guild picnic on June 19th as it was moved to the Connor Middle School cafeteria and everyone enjoyed the good food that was organized by Marilyn Randolph. President Judi Drozdowski inducted the new Officers for the 2007-2008 year. Adele Upton will serve as 1st vice president (programs); Sandy Nethero, 2nd vice president (membership); and Jane Bedore as recording secretary. Hollis Busch will remain as treasurer. There were 13 exquisite quilts entered in the Challenge contest and it was a difficult task for the membership to vote for the top three choices. The field of quilts was narrowed down to six and then the top three were chosen with first place going to Hollis Busch, 2nd to Sandy Nethero and third to newer member, Sharon Drumm.
   "There were a few tears shed when we bid a fond farewell to Diane Doane, one of our hard working and prolific quilters," a Quilters Guild member said. Diane and her family are relocating to Florida.
   Judi Drozdowski designed and artfully pieced a quilt from squares that the members had put together for Diane. With this quilt, she will always have something to remind her of her friends and fellow quilt-makers on Grand Island.
   The River Lea Quilt Guild is open to all men and women who enjoy the art of quilting. The Guild encourages the novice quilter to increase skills and the more advanced quilt maker to add to his/her expertise. Meetings are held in the Grand Island High School small cafeteria on the third Tuesday of the month. There is usually a program and also time for “Show and Tell.” "It is always exciting to see what our members have created and this gives us all the impetus to go home and work on our many projects," Guild member Judy Buzby said. "If you have never quilted but would like to see what it’s all about, we would love to see you at our first meeting on September 18th at 7 p.m."

"Pieces of Out Lives" Is River Lea Quilters Guild Show - 2006

Queen-size Quilt to be raffled at River Lea Quilters May 20-21 show. Be sure to click photos for larger view!
   The River Lea Quilters Guild will present "Blooms and Bows," a charity quilt show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 20, 2006 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2006 in the Senate Room of the Holiday Inn Grand Island, 100 Whitehaven Road, Grand Island, NY. Admission is $5 and the show will feature basket auction, Door Prizes and Vendors, and a Raffle Quilt.
   The queen-size quilt in a bow tie pattern, is machine pieced, and hand and machine quilted. The work was done by the members of the River Lea Quilters Guild with Judi Drozdowski and Diane Doan chairing the project. Tickets will be available at the show.

River Lea Quilters Donate to Hurricane Katrina Victims - 2004

Quilt made by River Lea Quilters will be raffled at the May 1-2 show. Be sure to click photo for larger view!
    River Lea Quilters Guild President, Judy Buzby (right) is shown presenting a quilt to Denise DeMarco (left) of Auntie’s Attic Quilt Shop. The quilt was one of eight quilts made by members of River Lea Quilters and donated to victims of hurricane Katrina. River Lea Quilters Guild members have also donated placemats to Meals on Wheels, quilted Christmas stockings for Riverwood Health Care Center as well as assisting the Grand Island Historical Society with the annual Christmas at River Lea. Guild members are busy preparing for their bi-annual quilt show in May.

River Lea Quilt Guild Hosts National Quilt Speaker - 2005

Speaker/demonstrater Patricia Knoechel (left) is shown with Quilters Guild members Sandie Nethero, Hollis Busch and Maire Machens.
Mary Stewart Photo
   Patricia Knoechel, nationally known quilter from California gave a 1 1/2 hour trunk show and quilting demonstration at Veronica E. Connor Middle School on Wednesday, May 25, 2005. She presented 40 exquisite quilts that she had made over the last 20 years and demonstrated some new time-saving techniques for today's quilter. Patricia has been involved in quilting, quilt book publication and development of quilting rulers and tools since the early 1980's. She has worked closely with her sister, nationally know quilter Eleanor Burns, on various 'Quilt In A Day' books and also as a public relations person for both her company and Eleanor's company by traveling the country giving demonstrations.
   Approximately 85 people attended from four local quilt guilds - River Lea Quilt Guild, Amherst Quilt Guild, Twin Cities Quilt Guild and the Kenmore Quilter's Patch Guild. There was lively discussion, book and ruler sales and an autograph session. For information on joining any of these guilds, email River Lea Quilt Guild President Judy Buzby at judybuzby@adelphia.netor Vice President, Hollis Busch at busch223@adelphia.net
   For more information on Eleanor Burns check out her site: http://www.quiltinaday.com.

River Lea Quilters Guild Announces Fantasy In Bloom Quilt Show - 2004

Quilt made by River Lea Quilters will be raffled at the May 1-2 show. Be sure to click photo for larger view!
   "Fantasy In Bloom," a Quilt Show, is being presented by the River Lea Quilters Guild on Saturday, May 1 and Sunday, May 2 in the Veronica Connor Middle School, 1100 Ransom Road. Proceeds from the raffle benefit local charities.
   A quilt, created by the Quilters Guild, has been designed by Bernadette Keitz and machine pieced by many of the members. The binding was made and sewn on by Lee Wroblewski and machine quilted by Joan Staub. Raffle tickets to win the queen/dbl size quilt will be available at the show.
   The Guild's 6th biennial quilt show will feature a Chinese auction, lunch, door prizes, vendors and snacks.
   Show hours are:
• Saturday, May 1 - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Sunday, May 2 - 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
   Admission is $5. For more information, call Judy at 773-2273 or email her at judybuzby@adelphia.net.

River Lea Quilters Guild Announces 2002-2003 Schedule
The River Lea Quilters Guild has announced its schedule of meetings, programs and special events for 2002-2003. Click River Lea Quilters for the entire list of interesting events.

Sesquicentennial Quilt Show - Fantastic!

Click For Larger View
Barbi Lare Photos

   Members of the River Lea Quilters Guild, as part of the Grand Island Sesquicentennial celebration, showcased their creations last weekend, at Historic Trinity Church on Whitehaven Road. Several rooms and the gym area were festooned with color, shapes, and all sorts of quilting accomplishments.
   Judging was done in machine techniques, hand techniques, use of color, size, and a number of other criteria. The list of winners follows:
Best Quilt: "Ozark Beauty" by Judi Drozdowski
Best Wallhanging: "Christmas Time" by Helen Keohane
Best Miniature: "See Thru Mini" by Joan Raab
Best Use of Color: "Subdued Joy" by Cindy Nowicki
Most Creative: "Aurora" by Judi Drozdowski
Mixed Technique: "Challenge 2000" by Bernadette Keitz
Best Garment: "Batik Vest" by Jean Brighton
Hand Piecing: "Parlor Lily" by Janet Bianca
Machine Piecing:
   1. Bernadette Keitz: "Challenge 2000"
   2. Lee Wroblewski: "Daffodils"
   3, Lee Wroblewski: "Lights of the Night"
Hand Quilting:
   1. Judi Drozdowski: "Ozark Beauty"
   2. Cindy Nowicki: "Subdued Joy"
   3. Judi Drozdowski: "Feathered Star"
Machine Quilting:
   1. Joan Staub: "Alice's Quilt - Irish Rose"
   2. Judi Drozdowski: "Aurora"
   3. Eileen Tuzzi/Log Cabin Quilter: "Galaxy of Stars"
Hand Appliqué:
   1. Clemens Fair: "The Bloomin Flowers"
   2. Clemens Fair: "Summer Heat"
   3. Helen Keohane: "Christmas Time"
Machine Appliqué:
   1. Lee Wroblewski: "Poppies"
   2. Sandy Nethero: "Autumn Medly"
Judges Choice: "Flowers in the Cabin" by Ellen Wilson
Judges Choice: "Turtles for Julie" by Judi Drozdowski
Viewer Choice: quilt: Clemen Fair: "The Bloomin Flowers" Wallhanging: Clemen Fair: "Wild Flowers for Dorcas

Sesquicentennial "Quilts in Bloom II" Quilt Show
   The River Lea Quilters Guild, in conjunction with the Sesquicentennial celebration, will present "Quilts in Bloom II" on April 19-21, 2002 in Historic Trinity Church, 2100 Whitehaven Road. The show will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 and from noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 21.
   This show features members' quilts, a raffle and a Redwork Quilt showing Grand Island scenes that will be donated to the town for public display. A boutique and outside vendors will be featured. For further information, call Judy Drozdowski at 773-2746.

Isle residents contribute to Baby Quilt-a-Thon
River Lea Quilters Guild went above and beyond in its donation to a Baby Quilt-a-Thon recently held in Worcester, Massachusetts. The project was the brain storm of Christine C. Stebbins of Paxton, Massachusetts who started the labor of love to benefit premature babies in the neonatal care unit at St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center. Islander and River Lea Quilters Guild member Hazel Rowe, who was accompanied on the trip to Worcester by Guild members Jesse Tromanhauser and Ruth Landel, explained that the Island Guild's original goal was to make 200 quilts for the year 2000 but the trio presented 366 baby quilts nearly all finished by River Lea Quilters Guild members. The recipients of the little quilts cannot wear caps and sweaters to keep warm as the sleeves and ties interfere with the tubes the nurses use to feed the babies and administer medicine.

If you are a member of this organization, we need your help. GIECOM.Net has partnered with the Connections program to help Grand Island as a community "Get it Together." Please visit our website G-I-Together.ORG and fill out our SURVEY. Every group on Grand Island will have its own FREE web page showing: meeting times and location, contact persons, your Mission Statement and a listing of events. We will also be linking your news events that appear in the local media and on IsledeGrande.Com, Grand Island's E-News Source, to your page, maintaining an archived journal of pictures and news. This is the perfect opportunity for your group to connect with potential new members and the community.