by David Vincent
What comes to mind when you hear the words Haliburton Highlands Quilt Guild?
Perhaps a group of sewers making baby blankets, or larger items to sell at craft shows? What about a group of like-minded residents participating in community action, life-long learning, who are fun, open, welcoming, and with an unlimited willingness to share.
The guild is comprised of 52 people committed to their community, says current president Pat Stiver. They meet monthly at the Stanhope Community Hall, bringing their diverse skills in support of each other and focusing on continuing development.
It was founded in April 1997, in the home of May Bradbury. Marvella Smith became the guild’s first president.
Stiver said the guild’s sense of community is both local and national. Their giving-back projects range from quilts for fire victims; cancer patients in the community; making pyjamas; and supporting the Quilts for Survivors program for residential school survivors.
In her second term as president, Stiver said she’s been a member of the guild since 2006. While she joined out of a want to meet new people, having relocated from the Peterborough area, Stiver said she soon learned the important role the guild played in the community.
A standout moment for her came several years ago when visiting the new home of a local resident who lost everything in a house fire. Hanging on the wall was a quilt donated by the guild – the resident told Stiver it was a reminder of the people and groups that had helped them during their time of need.
Sue Culbert is the group’s membership coordinator. She joined in 2023, saying being a guild member means she can challenge herself to continue learning while also giving back to the community.
Co-vice president Carolyn Pawson has been a member for years. At a recent gathering, she was busy preparing donated quilts for shipping to Digby, Nova Scotia, where they would be used by fire victims. She has also been involved with the Quilts for Survivors program. Last year, she and a fellow guild member joined a three-day retreat hosted in Timmins, where they made three quilt covers in three days to send off to people in need.
The guild is open to everyone – Stiver says people are welcome to come as they are, no experience or sewing machine required. For more information, visit www.haliburtonhighlandsquiltguild.com.
