Today, we arose early and hit the road, heading for Chester, Vermont, the site of a town wide quilt event. Folks in the downtown area had colorful quilts hanging from their porches, and one, old wool quilt was draped between the two front doors, the outer one being glass. There were five buildings in which one could view quilts, both antique and newly-made ones. The town goes “all out” for this event that is spearheaded by Suzanne Ashe, the owner of Country Treasures, a gift and quilt shop right on the main street where all of this activity was happening.
This lovely, old, Federal style home features two quilts, as you can see.
photo by James Cummings, Chester, VT, May 11, 2007
Other points of interest in Chester are the old cemetery, a Civil War statue, the old homes, several bookstores, and the lovely, little restaurant where we had lunch. We had run into rain showers on the way up, but once we were in Chester, the sun shone steadily all day, and in fact, the temperatures got a little too warm (for the way I was dressed), in the afternoon.
All proceeds of the quilt show this year will be given to the family of a local woman, Helen Furrer, who recently died of cancer at the age of 49. There is a special exhibit of her quilts in one building. What a lovely legacy of beauty she has left. One can tell that she loved bright colors and wasn’t afraid to use them in her quilts.
These days, we don’t get away much, but I’d have to say that it was really nice to take a break, if only for a part of a day, to enjoy seeing all the spring plants and trees in bloom, and to meet some very friendly Vermont quilters. Quilting is a universally-spoken language and seems to establish an instant rapport.
The show will continue tomorrow and Sunday, so if you have a chance and live within a driving distance, I’d strongly suggest that you enjoy all that is offered in Chester, a town with an antique ambiance and with people who seem to live life as it should be lived, with kindness and with a generous spirit. Thanks to all who made the show possible!
Pat, who has just added photos of piglets and a calf (from the Remick Museum), and an additional quilt photo from Chester, to the front page of our website, Quilter’s Muse Publications.
