Maine Mountain Quilters has been in existence for more than 40 years. Its members make comfort quilts that are donated to fire victims or the ill. Founding member Patricia Libby is seen with a quilt she recently pieced together. (Pam Harnden/Franklin Journal)
FARMINGTON — The Maine Mountain Quilters received a thank you recently from the opposite side of the country.
MMQ has been in existence for over 40 years. Its members routinely make comfort quilts that are donated to fire victims and those who are ill in the community. Peace quilts are given to the police department.
Last year the Las Vegas Resiliency Center and Modern Quilt Guild remembered the one-year anniversary of the Oct. 1, 2017 shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas. A MMQ quilt was among 250 sent from around the world that were displayed in Las Vegas and later raffled off.
Heather Betts made the quilt. Lloyd Leeman did the quilting.
MMQ member Jean Howard sews while Sabine Tosch at left and Ella Ibarguen talk about their quilting projects.
Mandi Hollick of La Conner, Washington won the MMQ quilt.
Hollick sent a thank you to the Downtown Farmington website. It read in part, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart for my beautiful quilt. I have it around me keeping me warm and a huge hug from all of you.”
In a letter to MMQ, Hollick said she and her sister were front row at the festival. Final singer Jason Aldean was performing.
At left Debbie Breton of Jay helps hold the quilt Sharyn Beisaw made for a baby shower. Beisaw of Wilton is a founding member and president of Maine Mountain Quilters which meets twice monthly at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Farmington.
“Sadly, within seconds everything changed. Something amazing went to confusing then horrifying. 58 lives were lost, 851 physically injured and thousands like me suffer from nightmares and PTSD.
“Random acts of kindness to others is the most amazing therapy. Today I was the recipient of that when a package arrived on my doorstep. Inside was a note and a quilt hand made with love from the Maine Mountain Quilters.
“From the bottom of my heart I am honored to receive this beautiful quilt. I will cherish each day and think of those who created it with love.”
At recent meeting at St. Joseph’s church in Farmington, MMQ member Sharon Borthwick said the group holds a Sew Night at Christmas. Members are asked to bring a fat 1/4 or a quarter yard of fabric. There are five sewing machines available.
“Everyone works on something. We visit, mingle. It’s a fun time for everyone,” Borthwick said. “We collect money for the food pantry, have donated to the homeless shelter. There’s so much out there you can do.”
Member Anita Hedstrom said, “Quilting is a great pastime. It’s very therapeutic.”
For more information on MMQ call president Sharyn Beisaw, 645-2817.
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