Garden Spot townlively.com
MARCH 1, 2023
SERVING THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES SINCE 1954
VOL LIX • NO 10
Quilting for dollars BY ANN MEAD ASH
n the cold of February, the women who live in the area surrounding Fairmount in Ephrata gather at the retirement community to create quilts. On Feb. 11, 14, and 15, a total of 192 quilters joined forces to work on 14 framed quilts. Over the three-day period, 11 quilts were completed and three were partly completed before being sent home with some of the quilters for finishing. The quilts will be sold at auction in the fall to benefit Fairmount residents in need. Many of the quilts were queen size, and Carol Swailes, Fairmount public relations coordinator and a quilter herself, noted that size is the most common. “There was a great representation of several popular patterns,” said Swailes, who mentioned Trip Around the World, Bargello, Log Cabin, and Kaleidoscope. “(There was) one unnamed quilt in reds and blues that has flying geese, four-patch, and stars included,” she reported. “(There
I
Many hands made light work during Fairmount’s annual Quilting Days.
were also) several quilts with embroidered and cross-stitched patches.” Many of the quilts featured embroidered patterns of flowers and birds. A hunting-themed quilt sported a photo of a family of bears on a background of woodland colors, including greens, browns, and light blues. One cream-colored quilt
was decorated with appliqued hearts, flowers, and leaves in deep greens and reds. Colors ranged from bright reds and pinks to rich cranberries and navy to subdued pastels. Quilting Days attracts many Fairmount residents and local families. Swailes noted that groups of sisters were gathered at several of the tables.
Sisters Dolly Kauffman (back), Reba Yoder (center), and Anna Mae Eby, worked to complete a quilt top during Fairmount’s annual three-day gathering.
The goal of Quilting Days is to create quilts to be sold at auction during Fairmount’s annual chicken barbecue in the fall. During 2020, Fairmount streamlined its Sharing Fund benefit by holding chicken barbecue sales off-site and moving the annual auction online. In 2021, many of the activities associated with the event
returned, but the fundraiser was held at New Covenant Mennonite Fellowship. In 2022, the auction remained at that location, and Swailes said that organizers were pleased with the move. “The new location is working out great,” she said. “There is plenty of room and easy access from Fairmount.” See Fairmount pg 2
“What makes us unique is that we pay students to work at the
(Freedom Thrift) store,” said Thomas Carr, director of Revelations of Freedom Ministries (ROFM). ROFM, located at 114 Ranck Church Road,
Revelations of Freedom staff members working to make recovery work include (from left) Michael Vergara, Thomas Carr, and Katlyn Leid.
New Holland, is a faith-based, Christ-centered discipleship program for men who struggle with addictions. Carr described changes in the student curriculum that were instituted in October 2022, noting that students now begin working at the 30th day after joining the program. “During the first 30 days, students are really monitored,” said Katlyn Leid, clinical coordinator with ROFM. “From day 30 to six months, they have classes in the morning and work in the afternoon in the thrift store or (doing supervised work in the community).” Leid
Twin Valley Bible Academy to present guest speaker BY FRANCINE FULTON
Eleanor Isaacson’s life experiences have ranged from being abandoned as a toddler by her immediate family and surviving Nazi Germany in World War II to becoming a ballroom dancer, Christian author and motivational speaker. Isaacson will share the story of her life during a program being presented by Twin Valley Bible Academy on Thursday, March 9, at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Twin Valley Bible Chapel. The event is the first in a series being presented by the school as part of a program titled
“America! America, Where Do We Go From Here?” The evening will begin with a musical prelude by Twin Valley Bible Academy students, followed by a short program about the school, which is open to students in kindergarten through grade 12. “I will welcome everyone, and we will have a video about the school and then introduce Eleanor,” said Academy principal Nate Mellinger, who noted that Isaacson is a family friend of his parents, Steve and Jennifer Mellinger, who are in charge of marketing and development for the school, respectively.
See ROFM pg 4
See Twin Valley pg 3
Join the fun as we tour the Herr’s Chip Factory and then visit the National Aquarium in Baltimore.
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. Postage Paid Engle Printing Co
717-823-2086
Also, let Fun Country Tours create the perfect trip for your school, church, or family group. Limited opportunities remain for 2023!
Call Today! for More Info/to Book Your Trip or Visit funcountrytours.com rs.com POSTMASTER: PLEASE DELIVER MAR. 1, 2023
Postal Patron
GDN
BY ANN MEAD ASH
A fascinating life
R093113
Making recovery work