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Cyr's Bonnie Goodrich is featured quilter at fair

by MONTE TURNER
Mineral Independent | July 26, 2023 12:00 AM

"American Country" will be the theme of the 22nd annual quilt show held by the Cabin Fever Quilters of Mineral County on Friday and Saturday, Aug. 4 and 5.

This popular attraction is held in conjunction with the Mineral County Fair in Superior which is Aug. 3-5.

The American Country show exhibits quilts made by local quilters employing a wide variety of techniques. If you are a non-quilter, you may have just rolled your eyes but this exhibit is full of vibrant colors in creative designs that are made from cloth and textiles similar to gramma’s quilts, but with a flare that is very impressive.

The 2023 Mystery Challenge quilts along with numerous pieces of art will be on display. There will be a display of service quilts made by the guild to be given away to military veterans. The hours for the show are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday in the Superior High School.

Residents of Mineral and Sanders County are invited to enter homemade quilts in this exhibition as the guild encourages quilters of all ages and abilities to enter their finished products. Quilted items can be any size and either hand or machine quilted. Participants are asked to pre-register by Friday, July 28 to enter and there is a limit of 2 quilts per non-member.

Entry forms are found at the MSU extension office in Superior, The Fabric Pixie Quilt Shop in Plains, or you can contact quilt show chairman Naomi Mesenbrink at 406-591-5753.

The featured quilter will be Bonnie Goodrich, of Cyr. She and her husband, Dave, recently moved from Juneau, Alaska, where she worked and taught in the local quilt shop RainTree Quilting for several years.

Like many, she learned to sew sitting on her mother’s lap in front of her 1949 Singer.

“For me, it all began with sewing doll clothes, clothes for myself, and home décor,” says Goodrich.

Finally, about 30 years ago, she discovered quilting and never looked back. She loves all types of quilting, but admits her true passion is applique, both needle-turn and wool. Aside from quilting, Goodrich enjoys her daily walk with her cat, Buster. She’s an avid reader and absolutely loves working outdoors either gardening or in the woods.

She’s currently enrolled in a year-long smartphone photo challenge which has encouraged her to keep her phone handy in case "the perfect shot comes up." So far, it hasn’t, but she’s enjoying the challenge. The Cabin Fever Quilters guild is excited to highlight the talents of Bonnie Goodrich at this year’s Quilt Show and hope that her enthusiasm will inspire others.

A quilt will be raffled called “Courthouse Steps." The quilt is made using a traditional pattern and beautiful country colors. The raffle will support the guild’s Veterans Project, which is to ultimately supply a quilt to each veteran in Mineral County. Tickets are available at Mineral County events including ‘American Country’, and from guild members. The winner will be announced Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. as the exhibition closes for 2023.

Visitors to the quilt show will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite quilts, as well as shop at the guild’s country store of handmade quilted items and crafts. The local vendor will be The Fabric Pixie of Plains.