Silver Pines Lodge to the rescue: The Quilt Show that almost wasn’t

By Dawn Miller
Mountain Quilters

Angels don’t always have wings, but they can still fly in and save the day when it matters most. That is the case with Mountain Quilters of Idyllwild’s Quilt Show, called Idyllwild Strong. No matter how resilient Mountain Quilters has been, 2020 brought us all to our knees when all activities were canceled, including the Quilt Show.

We were all optimistic for 2021, and Quilt Show plans were underway, until it became apparent that financial woes due to the repercussions of COVID made it impossible to continue. There was even a possibility of the guild disbanding due to the lack of funds to operate.

An email went out, informing the members that the show would be canceled for the second year in a row. This is when Chris Perreault of Silver Pines Lodge came to the rescue and agreed to finance the entire show. This extraordinary gift changed the entire course of this event, and the future of Mountain Quilters.

Brought back to life, the Idyllwild Strong Quilt Show is not just a day to display fabric works of art. This year’s show is recognition of all of the things we have been through as a community, and as a nation, over the last couple of years, and to remind everyone that the work of Mountain Quilters impacts so many individuals in our community.

During the two-day show, veterans’ quilts will be presented to many vets. A display of security quilts given to the Idyllwild and Pine Cove fire stations, Idyllwild School and Child Protective Services, along with dresses for the Dress A Girl Around the World Project and the Rare Bears project, also will be on display.

For the children, the “I Spy” game returns to the show, and children can make a quick and easy bear at a project table. Quilter demonstrations also are featured.Attendees will be able to shop for homemade items at the Mercantile, or fabric and notions for bargain-basement prices at “Marilyn’s Table.” Purchase tickets for the Opportunity Quilt, or tickets to win themed baskets, both major fundraisers for the guild.

Another thing you won’t want to miss is the work of Dale Allen-Rowse, also know in the quilting world as the “Quilting Cowboy.” He will have quilts in the show with a definite masculine appeal.

The 2021 Mountain Quilters Idyllwild Strong Quilt Show is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 9 and 10, at Buckhorn Camp, 24641 Highway 243. Cost to attend is $7 at the door, or to purchase presale entry tickets for $5 each, contact Dawn Miller at 760-887-6087 or email her at [email protected].