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16 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2022 By Danya Lynd "A dream I had three years ago finally came to be," Mary Moody- Cox reflected affectionately over Four Season's recent inaugural Quilting Show. "It wasn't just my dream… but to understand that you need to know more about the cloth we quilters are cut from; where we've been and where we're going." This story begins many years ago with a group of Four Seasons quilting hobbyists connecting with high quality family-run garment supplier, Robert Kaufman Fabrics. "They believed in our vision and decided to invest in us. They'd give us the fabric under one condition; the items we create were to be donated, never sold. That was our goal anyway!" Mary chuckled as she recounted the win. "Quilters have a huge heart; it's important to recognize that," Mary said. After formally organizing as a Four Seasons group, the Quilting Enthusiasts were ready to create. They set their sights locally; the Beaumont police department, women's shelters, children's shelters, the hospital, and the fire department have all been recipients of their soft love and hard work. From car wrecks to house fires, if our local first responders are there, Four Seasons quilts, pillow cases, or receiving blankets may be there too. As the Enthusiasts' group numbers and resources grew, so did their goals. In addition to continuing donations they thought to add an element of flare — a Quilt Show. "We wanted to help people understand that quilts aren't something you just throw on a bed," Mary said with excitement before pausing and letting her eyes fall. "Then the pandemic hit and… it changed everything… for all of us." Quilts were put on pause for a time while the quilters themselves worked harder than ever before. Mary reported making over 500 masks herself while other individuals in the group churned out close to 1,000 masks. Their hobby became their call to arms, a way for them to serve and protect their friends, family, and community. In the depths of isolation our quilters worked themselves to exhaustion, protecting us as unsung heroes. The immediate need for masks eventually waned and, after much- needed rest, our quilters slowly returned to their original goal of presenting the community with a fresh look at what being a quilting enthusiast really means. On Nov. 6, 2021, with about 80 quilts, some antiques, and some appraising upwards of $20,000, the Four Seasons Quilting Enthusiasts delivered multiple show-stoppers. Intricate fabric art weaved with intention and passion draped the RCN lobby as guests wearing white protective gloves passed through, receiving a new appreciation for the work our quilters do daily. The entire event was such a success that Four Seasons has already calendared a larger show to take place in The Lodge Ballroom on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022. "Anyone can quilt with us," Mary reassured. "You don't need to know what you're doing. We'll teach you. Just show up to one of our Sunday or Thursday meetings and we'll get you started. There are many roles to fill in the process of making a quilt. If you have hands, we can use them." The quilters worked hard through January so that they could donate big in February, the month of love. You can see some of those donations in person at the upcoming February Neighborhood Watch meeting where they'll be turning over their newest quilts to local first responders. When asked about the value of these quilts, Mary took a thoughtful pause, "Quilts are documents of their time period. Their value is in their story and their story is in the fabric, the prints, the time it took to make, the threads, the batting. Quilts are a journal and a history book. It's not about financial value. They're a labor of creativity and love." A Labor of Creativity & Love