A rainbow of colors greeted guests as they entered the Leisure Days hall to enjoy the ninth annual quilt show. The show featured more than 40 quilts of different sizes and designs. Wall hangings and quilted bags, purses and pillows also attracted the attention of the guests.
While many of the quilts were creations of residents of the park, family heirloom quilts and special quilts for grandchildren were also on display. The Leisure Days quilters had their 2013 park quilt showing and several of the quilts they have created to donate to those in need in Zephyrhills.
More than 280 guests viewed the displays, visited with the Leisure Days quilters, and took a chance at the raffle table, which was filled with quilted items for the home. The members of the quilters group, including a former resident and quilter Margaret Aussant, donated these items.
During the show, guests were able to observe the art of hand quilting. Also, two former residents returned for the day to assist and demonstrate the art of making special flowers to sew onto a quilt, hanging, etc.
Joanne Vandenhoek, coordinator of the Leisure Days quilters, was very pleased with the show. She said several guests asked, “What is your secret to having such a successful show?” Mrs. Vandenhoek said, “I truly feel it is the commitment of all our residents in our park to work together and make it a success.”
During the day of the show there were close to 50 ladies with various tasks, and several men spent their day directing traffic. Numerous men and women spent Friday evening setting up for the show and returned on Saturday night to take it down.
“I feel the quilters in Leisure Days are privileged to be able to showcase their work and have the support of all the residents behind them,” Mrs. Vandenhoek said.
Many guests agreed, when asked how the Leisure Days quilters could improve their show for their upcoming 10th anniversary in 2015, the unanimous response was “Don’t change a thing.”
The quilters are already working on their 2015 Leisure Days park quilt and are busy planning for the 10th anniversary scheduled for next February.
By Anne Astles
Published Feb. 19, 2014
