Online since 2002. Patricia and James Cummings, Quilter's Muse Publications, Concord, NH.

by Patricia L. Cummings
photos by James Cummings

The Moose Festival is an annual event that happens over three days and in three different communities: Colebrook, New Hampshire, Canaan, Vermont, and Pittsburg, New Hampshire. Features include a juggling show, Bobo the Clown, a chicken barbeque, hot air balloon rides, a parade, a dance, and many other "happenings.”

On August 27, 2004, the promise of there being a quilt show in the north country of New Hampshire had us up early. Moving swiftly up the interstate highway toward Colebrook, New Hampshire, we passed many “Moose Crossing” signs. Moose and deer in roadways are a major problem and cause a great number of car collisions and damage yearly.

Moose emerging onto road in Jackson, NH

Just as we both saw another sign, “Dangerous Crosswinds,” the smell of skunk assaulted our sensibilities but the irony of seeing the sign at just that moment, had us both chuckling.

Please click on photos for a larger view.

This one day quilt show, which was held at the Trinity United Methodist Church, with two local quilt guilds participating, did not open until 3 p.m.

We arrived at 1:30 p.m., a little earlier than expected, so we walked up and down both sides of main street where an all-day sidewalk sale was underway. We especially enjoyed seeing the wildlife photos of one photographer. Moose calves, fawns, and Snowy Owls had been captured on film. Along the street, a gift shop, with its huge taxidermically stuffed moose head with a full rack of antlers that sits in the window, beckoned us to enter. The shop carries everything “moose-y,” imaginable, from pajamas, to socks, to a beautiful wall hanging of a black ultrasuede moose silhouetted in front of a snow capped mountain.

Belgian Bakery Shop "To Die For"

The day was unseasonably hot. To escape the heat, and to take a break, we stopped at a blessedly air conditioned café that specializes in French pastries, breads, Belgian chocolates, and coffee. An appropriate Flemish tapestry wall hanging, depicting bread and ovens, is hung on one wall, and the dining area, if one is eating in, consists of comfortable couches and chairs arranged around coffee tables. When we arrived, groups of teenagers were sitting on those pieces of furniture, enjoying a visit with friends.

A large, home style, wooden table with a pretty tablecloth and a large, antique, aluminum coffee pot, full of flowers, is set up at one end of the room and has eight chairs around the table. That is where we sat. This establishment is the most ambient and most welcoming pastry shop I have ever visited!

Quilt Show

After being refreshed by the cooler air and having coffee and a blueberry croissant that couldn’t be more delicious, we walked up a side street to the church. For a two dollar admission fee, we were each handed a pair of white gloves, should we have the urge to touch any of the quilts. There were a mix of old and new quilts in the show, most of them draped over the backs of pews.

The quilt which took my eye was an antique, Victorian Redwork quilt which has tiny, charming motifs. Some of those designs must have been favored by the nineteenth century quiltmaker, as she repeats them. One image, a chick in a man’s hat, floating down the river, also appears in a much larger size on an antique Redwork splasher in our collection. On the Redwork quilt in the show, just the center portion of this design was replicated.

Lovely Vintage Dress

This show also featured some vintage dresses, like the one below from the early 1800s that consists of a pretty brown cotton print and has a delicate looking lace collar. One could just picture a school teacher or librarian wearing the dress.

                                               Early 1800s dress

In addition, there were some beautiful pieces of knitting and crochet work, one a tablecloth made with German needles. The lace on an antique Crazy Quilt was quite pretty, as only some of those old wide laces can be. The embroidery on the quilt was plentiful and a joy to see. All the quilts were special. They were all made with love and that is the most important consideration. We really enjoyed the friendliness of the people we met at the quilt show and elsewhere throughout the town.

Moose Sculpture

The moose theme was omnipresent. A local metal sculptor, Michael R. Cece, created a life size moose, complete with turning head. In front of the local bank, "political campaigners” were urging everyone to vote for “The Moose” for president. The campaign seemed to be in full swing as we passed the campaign workers who were donning their red, white, and blue hats, and holding campaign posters.

Our mini-vacation of one day was fun. The north country is so beautiful with its rivers, streams, lakes, Tamarack and Spruce trees, and mountain vistas. The air seems more fresh, and the people a tad friendlier than in our more densely populated capital city. We enjoyed the day and look forward to returning again soon to “moose country,” where even a moose can run for president!

Copyright 2004, Patricia L. Cummings and James Cummings, Quilter’s Muse Publications, Concord, NH. Write to: pat@quiltersmuse.com

pat@quiltersmuse.com