Lake Country This Month
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DECEMBER 2013 FREEMAN & ENTERPRISE LAKE COUNTRY • Page 5A Quilts bring warmth in more ways than one In the 19th century, quilting was a way women could make a statement to show their creativity and proclaim personal views. Besides being utilitarian, quilts in some places were recognized as a valid document, and were handstitched for many occasions, including political campaigns. It was a high honor to be called "a needlewoman." Fabric scraps as tiny as postage stamps allowed the thrifty to produce a masterpiece. Shown here are the first two antique quilts that have been donated for the 2014 Antique Quilt Auction benefitting The Women's Center in Waukesha. We are building an auction committee. Would you or your quilt guild volunteer to help with this benefit? We are accepting antique and vintage quilts, sewing baskets, cabinets and sewing accessories. Providing auction expertise will be Ms. Phyllis Kao, representing Leslie Hindman Auctioneers, Chicago and Milwaukee. "Sew" to speak, we need lots of hands to "piece" this project together to help rebuild BARBARA EASH Antiques Appraised lives of domestic violence victims. Send inquiries to: threadsofcomfortquiltauction@gmail.com Often when I'm appraising in homes, blanket chests reveal great-grandma's quilt wrapped in plastic. Owners have said, "I won't sell it, but I don't know what to do with it." I gasp while saying, "First get rid of the plastic.'' Then I share about the upcoming Threads of Comfort Quilt Auction. "Oh, grandma would like that,'' is often the reply . personal taste. The hearts within the central motif made it popular for dowry chests. The white work areas with white stitching showcase created designs. This 84- x 84-inch quilt has a value of $425. A client from Hartland with Ohio family roots donated the quilt above, not knowing the pattern name is "Ohio Rose." Early settlers often dedicated quilt patterns to the states where they settled and Ohio Rose is one of the most popular. Borders were often altered by quilt makers to express The pattern on the quilt to the right was popular in the 1920s to '40s when entrepreneur D.F. Duncan brought the yo-yo toy to fad level. Tiny, rosette circles of fabric, (many from feed sacks), are gathered around the edges forming a small flat pocket, then stitched in orderly rows. There is an exceptional amount of hand stitching with this project using fragments of fabric scraps. A quilt by definition has three layers: top, center filling and backing. The yo-yo coverlet usually has no filling or backing allowing it to be reversible. This example is very large, 75 inches x 98 inches, with 4,032 yo-yos. Repairs noted; black fabric backing was later added; value of $265. Have an item for appraisal? If you have an item you'd like to be appraised, mail entries to Waukesha Antique Shop, 1427 E. Racine Ave., Unit E-2, Waukesha, WI 53186. Your entry could be selected. Send sharp, well-lit photos of front, back and underside of your item, and measurements are important. List any known history or even hearsay, length of ownership and all markings, even partial ones. Include your name, address and phone number. No photos can be returned and no purchase of antiques will occur. (Barbara Eash is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America, specializing in appraisals of antiques and collectibles and has extensive experience writing and speaking about antiques.) Pewaukee School District receives National Quality Award spokeswoman Wendy Wong. In six years, the district received state recognitions in PEWAUKEE – The Pewau- 2007, 2009 and 2010. After subkee School District earned mitting applications to the an award that is bestowed national Malcolm Baldrige upon but a few organizations National Quality Award Proin the country . gram in 2010, 2011, and 2013, The Malcolm Baldrige the district ultimately National Quality Award received a site visit this fall. given out by U.S. Commerce Site visits offer a thorough, Secretary Penny Pritzker intense review of every acknowledges a systemsaspect of an organization. It wide adherence to best prac- was after this scrutiny that tices in every facet of a PSD received its award. school's operations, ranging The standards for the Malfrom maintenance to transcolm Baldrige awards were portation to education to designed in 1987 to help food service. American businesses and To date, just six public industries gain a competitive school districts other than edge in the global market. the PSD had received the The education standards followed in 1998. Malcolm Baldrige National That only six schools have Quality Award. The district received the award in 15 joins two health organizayears is a testament to the tions this year as the lone recipients of the distinction. high benchmark, said school officials. Winning the national "This recognition is eviaward marks the culminadence of our meeting a very tion of a process that was high standard of excellence," initiated in 2007, said PSD By Josh Perttunen Freeman Staff Photos courtesy of Trevor Harris The wine tastings offered by the Wisconsin Wine Society usually feature a theme.The theme of the event held at Wine Maniacs in Milwaukee earlier this year was Italian whites, which were paired with summer foods. A glass half full – and rising Enthusiasm for vino leads to launch of Wisconsin Wine Society Freeman Staff wine that nobody can predict." By comparison, Harris said her ideal wine is a dry bold, , rich cabernet with a sweet finish. Though a large part of winemaking puts grapes front and center, there is a growing number of fruitbased wines that mix other fruits in with the grapes or forgos them entirely This . may include lemons, blackberries, cranberries, blueberries and plums. The WWS holds tastings every month or two, of which non-members can attend two. Members can attend more. A list of the scheduled events is available on wisconsinwine.org. A year's membership may also be purchased on this website. Individual memberships are $89, households of two are $142 and a corporate membership (that allows four people per event) is $250. Of the global wine shortage that has been reported by other media outlets, member David Stesanski said, "That's an exaggeration, nobody's running out of wine. Sure, some vintages may be scarce ... but if you can't find the one you're looking for, simply turn the corner and look at a different one. "Try something new." Email: jperttunen@conleynet.com 234378003 Email: jperttunen@conleynet.com 235716002 variety the affordability and , the creativity ." As Harris and WWS Vice President Cheryl Phelan conWALES – The wine enthusiasts of the Wisconsin Wine tinue to refine their palates, they both say they only Society based in Wales, , appreciate wine more. believe that if the glass isn't "Winemaking is an art," half-full yet, it's only a matter Harris said. "Everything of time. vintners do has an impact on The growing popularity of the finished product, from the wine and the changing perception of those who drink it raw materials they use to the temperature of the grapes to led to the formation of the the barrels that the wine is group in early April. As a put into. European winemakchapter of the American ers tend to use a blend of Wine Society the primary , goal of the WWS is to educate many different grapes, while and provide social opportuni- American winemakers use one or two." ties for wine drinkers, whether it is their first sip or A multifaceted experience their hundredth. And the flavor of the wine "The demographics are is only part of the overall picquite broad compared to ture. what they used to be," said "You also have the aroma, club president Denise Harris. the appearance and the fin"Wine drinkers range from being in their 20s to being in ish," Harris said, "which is their 70s. Even a decade ago, that last flavor you taste. And you can add another layer of most of them were in that complexity by finding the older age range. That was right food combinations to wine was considered less pair the wine with." affordable and less abunPhelan said she enjoys how dant." wine can be an opportunity That's no longer the case, she said. Harris compares the for socialization, but also a highly personal experience. burgeoning interest in wine "It's different to everyone," to the uptick of interest that the craft brewing industry is she said. "Three people can taste the same wine and experiencing. everyone will have something "All of the intrigue that different to say about it. I like appeals to craft breweries is also experienced with wine," to be surprised by what the vintner has done, to taste a she said. "People enjoy the By Josh Perttunen said PSD Superintendent JoAnn Sternke. School Board President Jim Huismann echoed that sentiment. "It is important to note that the award reflects a commitment to excellence throughout the Pewaukee School District," he said. "It could not have been achieved without a focus on continuous measurable improvement throughout our organization." Some of the actions that earned PSD the distinction included the formalization of key processes – which were designed to produce resultsdriven performances from each staff member and each school. Changes and initiatives in PSD schools, such as transition programs and curriculum revisions, are brought about using datadriven decision-making. 235512003