Guild Histories

ANNIE'S STAR QUILT GUILD HISTORY

In July, 1981, a group of women gathered at the Nantucket Quilt shop (Honeyrun) to watch a film called "Quilts in Women's Lives". Discussion following the film led to the formation of a Chico Quilt Guild. Rick and Nan Toffanelli offered their store as an evening meeting place.

The business portion of the guild was patterned after the Paradise Guild "Ridge Quilters" which was founded in 1977.

It was decided to name the Chico Guild "Annie's Star" after Anne Bidwell. The Charter Members and first officers were: Lynn Brown, Beulah Crites, Teresa Danielson, Patricia Davis, Katherine Hislop, Carol Jemison, Denise Kelley, Chris Mahan, Donna McDonald, Kerry Parapid, Dindee Robinson, Virginia Roten, Catherine Smauch, Elaine Shinners, Kathryn Hislop, Beth Smith, Teresa Danielson, Carol Jemison and Judi Starkey.

The Guild eventually moved to a small house on the grounds of the Esplanade Baptist Church, every meeting was an adventure. Since there was no heat, portable heaters were brought in which caused the fuses to blow.

Since 1981, the Guild has grown steadily thereby creating a need to change meeting sites. Annie's Star has met in Rec rooms, churches, school multipurpose rooms, the Esplanade building, and California Park Pavilion. Currently the meeting is held at the Masonic Family Center on East Ave.

The first Guild Quilt Show was in 1987 at the home of Mary Young. Following that show the members decided to hold a Quilt Show on alternate years. The next two shows, 1989 and 1991 were held in the North Valley Plaza Mall. In 1993 the Acker Gym at Chico State was used and in 1995 and 1997 the Quilt Show was held at the Elks Club. Because of the dramatic growth in the guild between 1996-1999 it was decided to move the show to the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. Quilt Show 2001 will also be held at the Fairgrounds.

Annie's Star has grown from 16 members in 1981 to a healthy 205 in 1999. Activities include: programs by nationally known quilters, talented Guild members, workshops, block of the month, a large lending library, community service activities, challenge quilts, opportunity quilts, and the Quilt Show.

The favorite part of our meetings continues to be "Show & Tell". Each meeting seems like a mini Quilt Show with our multi- talented membership.

Please come and judge for yourself. We welcome you to our meetings on the first Thursday of the Month, 7pm at the Masonic Family Center, 1110 West East Ave., Chico, CA

ORLAND QUILTERS HISTORY

The present day Orland Quilters started as a group of friends that met in the back of the store "The Needlenook" owned by Evelyn Shade. They met to exchange ideas and share their love of quilting. It wasn't long before there were too many for that small space....Today they have nearly 40 members ranging in age from 8 to 80 plus and the love of quilting has not diminished. They still have some of the original ladies as an active part of their group. One of the originals, Bev Woodward, has had two of her quilts accepted by KIXE to be a part of their July Spectacular patriotic quilt show. Bev's a very talented lady and they are proud of her and her quilts. The Orland Quilters meet the third Monday of each month, except December, at the Federated Church at 7pm. If you are ever in the area, please stop by and share the friendship.