Wednesday Study Club begins year with October meeting

The Rosebud Wednesday Study Club met at the D Brown Library on Oct. 13, 2021, with 16 members and guests in attendance. 

Beth Allen called the meeting to order, and Ann Sonntag gave the invocation. Flag pledges were recited. 

Judy Smith introduced guest speaker Margaret Arney. Smith related Arney’s early childhood experiences with sewing and how it grew over the years to now include making quilts. 

Arney told the group that she was sewing her own clothes by sixth grade and later sewing her children’s clothes. Whenever her husband retired, she started quilting.  Over the years she has created patterns and has sold them nation-wide. She conducts classes at The Fabric Barn in Rosebud. 

Many of her earlier quilts used darker materials but she has transitioned into using brighter, more colorful fabrics.  Some of the quilts Arney brought included her first quilt centered with a log cabin and using dark green and rust colored fabric.  She showed a true log cabin block quilt using cowboy motifs of brown and cream.  In true log cabin form, there was a centered red block representing the heart and the warmth of the home.  

Arney explained that quilting has emerged from the traditional to a real art form.  Many of her earlier quilts had oriental themes including “Lotus Blossoms on the Moon.” She also showed three oriental styled banners of geishas.  

Arney explained the method of “paper piercing” quilting, which ranges from somewhat basic to very complex.  Several of her quilts used circle patterns and these used applique techniques.  Her Celtic Easter was her most recent quilt and it looked like colorful cathedral windows.  Arney said she was not partial to any particular color and stressed using and displaying your quilts to get enjoyment from them.

Carol Stock and Sharon Skupin presented minutes and treasurer’s reports.  Skupin related that $600 of the allocated $800 had been spent for additional books for the library.  

In Librarian Kelly Hughes’s report, she stated that the Library had received a $500 HOTEC Roundup grant and a $1,000 Atmos grant for youth non-fiction books.  In the summer program 16 children finished over 10,000 minutes of reading.  Five to six children attended each reading session, and she considered the program a success.  

The wooden edging along the flower beds has deteriorated and needs replacing.  Hughes is working on a Home Depot grant to help defray edging and mulching expenses.  The WSC would like to help with edging expenses that may not be covered.  Either city employees or student volunteers will help with the replacement after the edging is purchased.  Hughes is also working with the city to find additional grants for small towns to help with items including community development, wastewater, and parks and recreation. Skupin added that the printer for the microfilm has been ordered.  Hughes is contacting the Texas State Library about replacing microfilm that has become unusable.  

The meeting was adjourned. The large oak table was centered with a grapevine wreath decorated with brown and beige pumpkins and leaves. On either side of the wreath, wooden candle holders held cream-colored candles. Refreshments consisted of salads: Catalina dressing taco, broccoli, cornbread, and fruit.  There was also a vegetable tray and a plate of mini muffins.  Hostesses were Patsy Garrett, Annette Engel, Sonntag, and Karen Koslosky.  

The next meeting will be Nov. 10, 2021.