Our last meeting of 2016 started off with our president Connie Hitt inspiring us with Psalm 23.
Rebekah Stark Johnson and Alehandro Wooten of Hattiesburg Arts Council
Special visitors were Rebekah Stark Johnson, executive director of Hattiesburg Arts Council, and her assistant, Alehandro Wooten, who told us of an exciting event—SEW WHAT!–they are planning February 4, 6 and 7, 2017. SEW WHAT! will feature a quilt exhibit and interactive activities to introduce students to sewing by hand and by machine. PBQ members are invited to display their quilts during February and also to help with the hands-on activities February 6 and 7. Please sign up with Martha Ginn.
The reveal of the Travel Poster Challenge was exciting to see. Thirteen members completed the challenge and the pieces were displayed. The winners were chosen by paper ballot. What a difficult decision with so many excellent pieces! Winners were 1st Tina Dickens, 2nd Betty Allen, 3rd (tie) Jo-Ann Evans and Linda Flanders.
Completed Travel Poster Challenge Quilts
Makers of Travel Poster Challenge Quilts
Mon Musiette from WDAM filming at the meeting
Charitable activities: Figures for today and the year include 52 (394 year) pillows, 14 (160) blankets, 35 (188) mother pads, 14 (220) walker totes and 6 (104) catheter bag covers. Today we gave 75 Christmas stockings, 174 children’s quilts. Our July quilts totaled 180. Appreciation was expressed to Joe Bingham, who made or completed 150 children’s quilts during 2016.
174 Children’s Quilts
75 Christmas Stockings and Gifts
Annie Jackson described the new name and services rendered by Canopy Children’s Services (formerly called South Mississippi Children’s Services). Having “Mississippi” in the name led people to think it was a state agency receiving state funding, so the name change clarifies that it is a private agency and depends on contributions. She said they temporarily house children from abused or emergency situations, setting up school enrollment, tutoring, and medical visits and helping make good memories to replace some sad ones.
Forrest General Hospital representative Leigh Ann Leonard, manager of nursery and NICU, accepted quilts for FGH. Joan Harper, volunteer at Merit Health Wesley is retiring and introduced Howard Franklin, administrator of the Transitional Care Unit, who took quilts to share there. Riley Herrin from the Shafer Center again spoke of the comfort quilts provided her clients. HFD firemen reminded us of some safety measures we can take; they got an emergency call and missed lunch, but quilts were delivered to the office for them to distribute where needed.
Agency Representatives to receive quilts
Several of our members helped Sue Eddy from Vancleave in her efforts to furnish quilts for victims of flooding in Louisiana by taking the quilts home to add bindings. Anne Esteve reported that 210 quilts were sent to Baton Rouge, and 76 quilts were being sent to fire victims in the Gatlinburg area.
A delicious lunch of roast beef, broiled chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, dessert and rolls was provided by Seasoned with Love.
Our officers have an exciting 2017 planned for us! Be sure to renew your dues with Ellen Hall so she can complete the membership handbook.