In a March 2019 call to volunteers, State Coordinator Sheri Dorn began a project that has been long in the making. A Trellis blog post began,
“Ever noticed that our gardens are reflective of the people, trips, events, and celebrations that are important to us? The plants in our gardens are much like pieces of a quilt, lovingly selected and stitched together with care, and treasured for a long, long time.
Our MGEVs are much the same! You are special people, reflective of events and celebrations, skills, and memories, all revolving around plants. You also “keep me in stitches” sometimes! <grin> Seriously, our statewide MGEV program reminds me of a quilted treasure. Lots of pieces in different shapes, sizes, colors, textures, and patterns come together in a beautiful, cohesive whole.
(I also happen to know that there are a lot of quilters among our MGEVs!)
As a symbol of this collective beauty and resourcefulness, we’re going to stitch together a quilt to commemorate our 40th program anniversary. Our quilt will reflect the diversity of our volunteers, projects, and communities. Much like our projects are built, we’ll do it block by block, sash by sash. When complete, the quilt will be presented to the Dean of UGA’s College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences for display on campus.”
In true MGEV style, an abundance of quilt squares were created and shared. Some sent in beautiful quilt squares that they designed themselves. Some were appliqued in great detail, while others were fabric crumbs stitched together to create a whole. Some MGEVs chose to come to the Griffin campus for a day-long workshop in August. It did not matter whether they were an experienced quilter or had never sewn a stitch. All were welcome to be a part of the quilt.
Unfortunately, the project sat, unfinished, for a number of years. As the 45th anniversary loomed, that quilt project just HAD to be finished! Knowing that there were quilters in the Henry County group, Sheri approached them for help during conference planning. Two MGEVs, Sharon Grainer and Trish Zackey, stepped forward to piece and bind the quilt. As it turned out, though, we had so many contributions that FOUR quilts were created! Marcie Simpson, a retired UGA Extension employee, volunteered to do the longarm quilting for the project.
We are very proud to present three of the quilts to UGA Griffin Campus on October 5, 2024, as part of the 45th Program Anniversary celebrations. (The fourth quilt has been donated to the Silent Auction to benefit GMGA’s grant program that supports MGEV projects.)
May these quilts, lovingly selected and stitched together with care, be reflective of the amazing and dedicated people who serve as Georgia Master Gardener Extension Volunteers and be treasured for a long, long time to come.
Many Thanks to All of the Quilt Contributors:
- Sandra Allen, Lowndes County
- Kathy Booker, Rabun County
- Minnie Bradley, Clayton County
- Deby Lee Brown, Henry County
- Doris Casey, Richmond and Columbia Counties
- Joan Cotter, Cobb County
- Paula Cox, Bartow County
- Nancy Dombrowsky, Carroll County
- Carlotta Ehmen, Walton County
- Gina Griego, Walton County
- Carol Jenkins, Henry County
- Pamela Kidder, Houston County
- Cheryl Larson, Walton County
- Pamela Lightfoot, Dougherty County
- Nellie Joyce Linwood, Fulton County
- Joyce McArthur, Carroll County
- Carol Miller
- Valda McCall, Fulton County
- Patty McEwen, Fayette County
- Marilyn Parker, Douglas County
- Rebecca Pinckney, Fulton County
- Donna Powell, Rockdale County
- Marché Randle, Clayton County
- Kimberly Romano, Fulton County
- Trudy Rudert, Dekalb County
- Shirley Shivers, Fulton County
- Evelyn Smith, Rockdale County
- Janey Smith, Rockdale County
- Dolores Stephens, Clayton County
- Jacqueline Thomas, Clayton County
- Ida Weiner, Clayton County
- Reba Wilson, Walton County
- Wade Wright, Catoosa County
