President’s Message

1 Dec, 2016

President’s Message

admin2016-12-01T21:33:12-05:00President's Message|

First, a big reminder – this month’s Meeting is being held a week earlier than normal on December 13th. In this season of thankfulness, I want to thank those of you who brought food items in November to donate to the local food pantries. If you missed the opportunity to bring an item, you can always contact your local food pantry directly to make a donation. There are many people in our community who could use some extra help.

Some of you may have noticed a glitch in the Membership Directories. Despite the proof reading efforts of Jennifer and me, the book was published with everyone’s cell number also listed as their home phone. We will have an insert to the Directory available at our December meeting that lists both numbers correctly.

We are trying something new for our February Winter Program – an Ugly Fabric Auction! This fun filled event is sure to amuse you. Donna is bringing in two entertaining auctioneers to run the event. We will be collecting your fabric donations starting this month on through to the February meeting. More information can be found in the February Program article.

I had mentioned at our November meeting that there is a new quilt magazine called Quiltfolk that I saw at the Houston Quilt Show. The magazine is a quarterly publication with stories about quilters, and it is chock full of beautiful photos of people and quilts. With over 150 pages and no advertising, it is a unique concept in depicting the art of quilting. We have a few copies of the inaugural issue of the magazine in our Library to look at. The publisher has supplied us with subscription cards that give 10% off an annual subscription. Additionally for each subscription sold by the Guild, we will receive a 10% commission. Subscription cards will be at the Library Table. I urge you to take a look at the magazine, and consider purchasing a subscription – it would make a great holiday gift.

I wish everyone a wonderful and happy holiday season.

Susan Fasnacht, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

1 Oct, 2016

President’s Message

admin2016-10-02T15:28:31-04:00President's Message|

The 2016 Quilt Show photos are now posted on our website. To view the photos, please go to Quilt Show, Quilt Show Photos, 2016 Quilt Show Photos.

Thank you to all of you who could rearrange your schedules last month and attended our meeting on Wednesday. Our turnout was good considering we changed the date just a few days before our meeting. It was nice seeing everyone and catching up on what people have been doing. We had a great presentation by Pat Harrison that evening and I heard her workshop was terrific.

Needless to say, I have gone over the calendar for the rest of the year with the Kennedy Catholic to make sure we have the correct dates and times scheduled. We did find the need to reschedule the February and April meetings since the school is closed on the original meeting dates. They have been moved to a week later. The new dates are February 28 and April 25. Fortunately, our speaker for April, Marge Tucker, was available for that week, both to lecture at our Meeting and to hold her workshop the following day. Please make sure you change your calendars.

Our first shout outs have gone out announcing A World of Quilts XXXVIII and postcards were available at several Shows that are taking place this Fall. If you hear of any Show or event where you think we should advertise, contact either Chris Roche or Noreen Lippolis at quiltshow@northernstarquilters.com.

Also, we have created a new Facebook page. We will be shutting down the old Facebook page in one week. We would like to ask if you are on Facebook, please follow us at https://www.facebook.com/northernstarquilters. Also share the page with your friends and ask them to follow us too.

I hope to see you at our October meeting.

Susan Fasnacht, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

18 Sep, 2016

President’s Message

admin2017-08-10T03:14:57-04:00President's Message|

Welcome to a new year at Northern Star Quilters’ Guild. I hope everyone has had a good summer and managed to get in a bit of sewing. If you have, don’t forget to bring your work to our meeting for Show and Tell! We are looking forward to another exciting year with great speakers and workshops, our Guild Challenge, a trip to Lancaster, Super Saturday, SIG’s, Comfort Quilts, and “A World of Quilts XXXVIII”, to name a few of our activities.

As I have written about, we are taking full advantage of our website to keep you informed of what is happening in NSQG. Make sure you bookmark our page and use it as a resource to find out the latest information on what is happening. Over the next several months we will be adding some more features to the site. For instance we plan on adding PayPal as an option for quilt registration payment (don’t worry you will still be able to write a check if you want). This feature can then be expanded to include membership registration, workshops, etc. As we make these changes, our goals are to make sure current information is available to you, to make the jobs of the Guild volunteers easier and less time consuming, and to keep current with today’s technology. How many of you long time quilters still use scissors to cut your fabric? As the new technology of a rotary cutter was introduced, you embraced it as the way to go. We are doing the same.

Remember volunteering is what makes our Guild so great. When you fill out your registration form, choose an area or two where you would like to help. You can also introduce yourself at our monthly meeting to the Vice President in charge of that Committee and let them know you want to help. Or send them an email; their emails are all on the website (look under the Membership Info tab). A few hours of everyone’s time during the year adds up and is a big help to the people running the Committees.

I am looking forward to seeing everyone on September 21^st . We have a great speaker lined up, Pat Harrison and she is teaching a dynamic class earlier that day (there is still room in the workshop). There will be goodies to eat, friends to catch up with, and new people to meet.

Susan Fasnacht, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

16 Aug, 2016

President’s Message

admin2017-08-10T03:14:59-04:00President's Message|

It’s only a month away from the start of a new year at NSQG. The Board has been busy over the summer gearing up for another exciting year. Maria Catalano, VP Communications, has updated the website to make it easier to read and to contain current information on our upcoming Programs, Workshops and other activities. A larger calendar has been added as a new feature to the homepage to highlight the month’s events. Clicking on a particular item, will provide all the information on the event and allow you to download the information to your Google Calendar, iCalendar or Outlook. Spend some time going through our website and seeing all information it has. It is a great way to find out what is happening.

Soon we will be coming out with a new publication “The Northern Star Compass – Navigating our Guild”. This will replace the Special Edition of “On-Point” and is intended as a piece to market and publicize what NSQG does and has to offer. It will contain articles that give an overview of our guild activities and direct readers to the website for more detailed information.

Why this change? We have found that in the past, information in the Special Edition is out of date soon after it is printed. Plus with our new website all the detailed information is there and up to date. We look to “The Northern Star Compass” as a great marketing tool to give to new or potential members as a way to promote all that we do.

Visit our website and check out the workshops offered this fall. We have a line-up of great classes teaching a variety of quilting techniques. At only $50 a class for a day of hands-on instructions with live interaction with the instructor, they are a bargain.

Susan Fasnacht, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

1 Jun, 2016

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:50:36-04:00President's Message|

My last message to the Guild as President………hard to believe a year has gone by. It has been a busy one with many changes, and we aren’t through yet. Bylaws amendments are still to be voted on at the June meeting. My Board members have been wonderful to work with and each has handled their responsibilities with energy, consideration, responsibility and a willingness to do more than their share. I am grateful to them for being part of all we have accomplished this year.

Early in the year we switched accountants to one who specializes in tax-exempt organizations. It was evident that our financial Bylaws needed amending to conform to current accounting practices. Next we began to take ownership of our website from the previous webmaster. By November Maria launched our new website utilizing the fresh new Northern Star logo designed for the occasion by a committee of Board members. Shortly after this, FaceBook was reinstated for the Guild to use.

During the summer meetings with WestConn began the process of “putting on a Show” in their facility. Excitement began to grow. Susan did a magnificent job of organizing this move and her Committee performed equally well, as did the Guild volunteers when it came time for their service. We received constant help from the management which made us feel they were happy to have our business. When “A World of Quilts” opened its doors it was a beautiful scene! Gorgeous quilts and special exhibits, happy vendors and lots of excited guests. A huge transition well done!!!

In September we had not one speaker, but two, cancel their Fall engagements because of family emergencies. Judy handled the crisis beautifully and filled both gaps with great substitutes. In the Fall our storage container was successfully moved from behind Kennedy to a spot on WestConn grounds. It is now owned by WestConn (in exchange for moving it) but they are sharing it with us, for free.

A search for better accommodations for Super-Saturday ended with an agreement from First Presbyterian Church of Yorktown to use their facility beginning in February 2017. It is easy access, ground level, spacious well lit classrooms, with a large communal area for lunch. Perfect! Look forward to no steps and comfortable chairs next year thanks to Chris Roche and Jean Degl. Laureen said she thinks the same deli will repeat the excellent lunches she found for us. This year has also seen two successful Boutiques and Library sales and a very imaginative Cow Challenge. Many enjoyed the annual trip to Lancaster. We had a gorgeous raffle quilt completed, and a number of Ronald McDonald bed quilts made as well as more than 250 Comfort Quilts given away.

The many changes this year required us to update most of NSQG Policies. This was done by the Board’s willingness to spend extra hours after Board meetings. By the same token, many Board positions required changes to the Procedures and Job Descriptions that go into the Guild manuals which serve as our guide in the operation of the Guild.

We are still working on a reliable replacement contact at KC to fill the void left by the tragic death of Sr. Barbara in March. The committee to Review the Bylaws and the Nominating Committee have worked hard to keep things up to date and to give you a fine Board of Directors for next year.

This review of the year should afford the members a glimpse of some behind the scenes things, as well as the usual, that are accomplished by your Board for the benefit of the Guild. Give them a thank you when you see them and know that it takes many hands to keep things running smoothly. We can use YOUR hands any time you can offer to assist. It has been a privilege to be your President again and I feel secure that I leave you in very good hands next year. See you at the Salad Supper, and then have a pieceful summer.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

10 May, 2016

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:50:03-04:00President's Message|

What a wonderful Show!

I give great thanks and hearty praise to every member who helped put this inaugural event together. As Show Chairman, Susan Fasnacht showed unparalleled organization and leadership. I spoke with vendors who were happy with the new venue and amazed at the smooth transition. The guests I spoke to loved the new space. I love the new space, as did every member I saw. Ladies, and Don, WE DID GOOD!

We learned a few things that will be changed or improved next year, as one would expect. The ever helpful John Murphy knows our needs more thoroughly and can function better next time also. I believe it was truly to our advantage that we were forced into making this change after 35 years in the same place. Start right now to make more of the spectacular quilts that were getting rave reviews from everyone who viewed them. One remark I heard, “this is better than Lancaster.”

Photographers were recording everything and Maria will soon have photos on the website. She will send an e-blast when they are ready for your viewing.

Sr. Barbara Memorial Donation

At the April Board meeting the Board voted to donate the NSQG Policy limit of $250 to the Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry in Goshen, NY. in memory of Sr. Barbara Heil. Their purpose is to provide the children of migrant workers a place to find self-worth and stability as well as food and friendship. Sr. Barbara loved working with these children and involved KC students in the work with her.

Google them or go to their website, www.mustardseedmigrantministry.org to learn more.

Mustard Seed does not fall into an accepted category for NSQG donations (only quilt related charities) so the Board voted unanimously to override the policy in this unique circumstance. The membership is invited to make personal contributions for added impact to the Guild donation.

The collection routine is this:

Write a check to Mustard Seed Migrant Ministry in any amount you wish. A note may be included in the envelope. They will remain sealed. (Tax deduction is yours.)
Bring your envelope to the May meeting with “Mustard Seed” noted on envelope.
Or, mail it to NSQG President, P.O.Box 232, Somers, NY 10589. (note “Mustard Seed” on envelope.)
All checks collected will be taken to Mustard Seed together with the Guild donation and given to a representative that I will contact beforehand.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

1 Apr, 2016

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:49:36-04:00President's Message|

The President’s message this month will be a tribute to Sr. Barbara that I read at the March meeting. A number of members suggested it be in the Newsletter for absentees to read and for members to keep if they wish to. Click on the link for the tribute.

Sr. Barbara and The Guild

At the meeting I reported that the Show Committee and the Board have agreed to dedicate a page in the show catalog and provide a memorial Exhibit at the Show this year. We have taken member suggestions under advisement and discussed them. There will be a monetary donation from the Guild but the amount and the charity have not been designated. For one thing, we are waiting to see if Kennedy will be setting up some significant memorial that we would like to contribute to. I explained that the Guild is limited to some degree by our own Monetary Policies. It was obvious by the “show of hands” that most members wish to make personal donations, in the amount they choose, to add to the impact of the Guild’s gift when that is made. Checks would be made out to the specific charity but all would be donated together as a single gift to the chosen charity.

Your Board will continue to work toward a decision on this and we will keep you informed.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

1 Mar, 2016

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:49:07-04:00President's Message|

March……that sounds like Spring to me. Let’s hope the weatherman agrees and gives us lots of warm days. Spring brings many outdoor chores so make sure you get your show quilts ready during the last cold days of March. Then register them to be sure we don’t reach our quota before yours gets in. It does not have to be absolutely finished before registering and taking photos. This show is going to be so great in the new location!

If you are curious about the O’Neill Center and want a sneak preview before our quilt show I suggest you attend the Western New England Home Show being held there the weekend of March 5th and 6th. Most local newspapers have a free admission coupon. I might add that sometimes parking for this huge event is in a lower lot with jitney buses running to the entrance. This is not going to be the situation for our show. Students are in session now so take up much of the available parking. School is out when our show takes place so all the closest lots are available. If your husband attends with you maybe you will end up with a new hot tub or hardwood floors or a new kitchen…..you never know.

Thanks to Caryl Castellion for gathering so many cows for her Udderly Mooving Challenge! It was so much fun to do and more fun to see what others did. Caryl went all out with her costume of plaid shirt, straw hat and cowbell. She also went beyond the call of duty by creating drapes for hanging when the guild drapes were missing. They are still missing….anybody hiding them by mistake?

The Guild members who gave the demonstrations also deserve our thanks for the informative, varied, interesting program they provided. As does Jennifer Kramer for pulling it all together. We appreciate your time and effort.

I have one more thank you to hand out …… I have noticed a more “volunteer oriented” Guild lately and that is so welcome! The nominating committee has had excellent volunteers come forward, the program last month was volunteer effort, and I have had every recent request for a job to be handled taken on by a volunteer. This team effort is what makes NSQG great and it is what makes those volunteers feel a real connection to the Guild. I applaud you all!

p.s. At the last minute before publishing I want to say that we had a most fun and successful Super-Saturday. Photos and coverage of the event will appear later in the month. Thanks to all who lead classes, organized everything and provided a great lunch.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

1 Feb, 2016

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:48:26-04:00President's Message|

Warm greetings to all now that cold weather has finally hit. The extended period of warm weather made me forget to put in a reminder of weather related cancelation of guild meetings. Good thing there was no problem for the January meeting.

Watch TV or listen to local radio stations. If schools in Somers are closed for the day of a guild meeting, it automatically cancels the evening meeting for us. If Somers schools or Kennedy Catholic announces during the day that afternoon or evening classes or meetings are canceled, again, automatic cancelation for us. In the event that the weather breakdown comes late in the day check the website before venturing out in questionable weather. We will also send out an email blast. Most importantly, do what seems best for YOU. Weather is different for different areas and we don’t want anyone to drive in unsafe conditions even though we may be able to hold a meeting in Somers. As a last resort you can always call a Board member if you are in question.

The Board has approved the selection of a nominating Committee for the 2016/2017 Guild year. Barbara Sferra will chair the Committee. Other members are Jennifer Kramer, Karen Carlson and Noreen Lippolis along with the President, Joyce Sullivan. If you would like to work with the Board please contact any Committee member. We will match a job with your special abilities.

As Maria was setting up our new website we became aware of the fact that NSQG has a Facebook page. Some of you have been on it, most are not aware of it. She has updated the page with our new logo and put in some suggestions and restrictions on its use. We invite all members to join our Facebook page by clicking on the Facebook button in the upper right corner on the home page of our website. Susan will use it to advertise the Show. It might be a good place for members to do the same with their friends.

I am sorry more of you weren’t present for the Meet and Greet program in January. It really is so nice to get to know both old and new members a little better. I learned many interesting things about backgrounds and the quilting preferences of people I thought I knew. Thanks to those who did participate. It was fun.

The National Quilt Museum sent out another reminder for quilts for their fund raising campaign, “Quilts for Quilting.” I urge you to look around your house for an extra piece you have made that really does not have a permanent place to live, any size. Go to their website, quiltmuseum.org then click on Quilts for Quilting Campaign and send them your quilt. It is a tax deductible donation.

Nothing better than winter weather to stay indoors and quilt……keep going on that Show entry. Time is running out.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

29 Dec, 2015

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:47:52-04:00President's Message|

Happy New Year!!! The hub-bub of the holidays is behind us and a brand new year is ahead just waiting for us to plan meaningful adventures and do good things. A clean slate, so to speak. At the suggestion of my BFF it has been our practice each January 1st to make a list of Quilting Goals we hope to accomplish in the coming year. There are things we MUST do, things we should do and things we would like to do. A third BFF is part of this endeavor and we exchange our lists. Mine hangs on a small bulletin board in my sewing area. As we complete items we check them off and notify our buddies. At year’s end we exchange a complete check list and add the things we have done that weren’t on the list. Impressive! I save my lists. It is a great record of what I have done, and not done, over the years. I can’t take credit for this excellent idea but I can pass it on to you with the suggestion that it really does spur you on to get busy when a lull sets in. It is sometimes surprising to see what you accomplished through the year, and over several years. On the other hand, there are items that never get off the list and some are marked “tossed” instead of checked. Think about doing something like this with a friend or two to keep yourselves focused for the year.

Last year my goals suffered some because I “had other fish to fry.” It was a busy year for the Guild with a lot of unexpected problem solving involved. I thank my Board for stepping up to the plate each time and coming up with a solution, and to the people who filled in when needed. This Guild is the BEST! Our December meeting was one of those unexpected problems occurring at the last minute. “Can’t use the cafeteria space.” However, everyone worked together and it was a great meeting. Maybe it is good for us to shake things up a bit. Meg Cox had so much interesting information in her lecture. There is some follow up material that Meg left for us. Judy will work with Maria to get it to you through the website. And what a fantastic new website it is! Maria, the hard work is well worth it! We appreciate every effort. Members, take time to explore it and get used to going there for up to date NSQG information.

The special raffle baskets were a beautiful surprise. Thank you Hospitality committee! The holiday refreshment tables were overflowing with delicious goodies. Thank you everyone!

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com

24 Nov, 2015

President’s Message

admin2021-04-11T16:46:22-04:00President's Message|

As everyone around me seems to say, “I can’t believe it is almost December.” Summer seemed to last a long time, then Fall was over in a few days. I hope you will all enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving with family and friends. The Guild outdid itself last month with the food donations that will provided a Happy Thanksgiving for many who otherwise might not have one. It is a wonderful start to the “giving season”.

Thanks to the Boutique organizers and vendors for the work that must go into all the lovely items that show up for us to purchase. I hope that “giving season” feeling continued as many members and guests began holiday shopping. A special thank you to Carol and Karen for service above and beyond their Comfort Quilt duties as they made money at their booth to help support the Guild. Your efforts are appreciated by all members. Thanks also for the money you raised at the October quilt raffle. Great leaders!

Those of us who attended the “Stuff” workshop with Valarie Poitier were not disappointed and came away filled with ideas and methods for doing exciting things with fabric in the weeks ahead. It was primarily a day of playing and experimenting with unfamiliar products while enjoying the friendship and laughter of fellow members. A great day! I heard many comments that Valarie was one of the most inspiring and enthusiastic speakers we have had in a long time. How lucky we are that she could come a year ahead of schedule to help us out!

Now comes the time of year when we all go on “overload” with the chores and social events of the holiday season. Be sure to save time for yourself to do things that help you de-stress. Things like working on your cow challenge or your show quilt and going to Guild meetings. I have read a lot of Meg Cox’s book, The Quilters’ Catalog, and look forward to hearing her at our December meeting. The book is packed full of interesting information about quilts and important people in the quilt world. Her lecture will surely be full of these stories. Another draw for the December meeting is the refreshment table full of everyone’s special holiday treats. I am a cookie lover and know I will eat way more than my share. So, see you at the refreshment table in December.

Joyce Sullivan, President
president@Northernstarquilters.com