Bodega Byways by Eva Granahan - November 2018
Before we dive into Bodega’s quilted treasure, I must mention a very important fundraising event. The Bodega Land Trust is hosting their annual Fall Harvest Community
The famous Sonoma County quilting tradition was born in Bodega back in 1980. Linda Sauter and Mary Biggs have been co-directors for nearly 39 years and have had the help of Carol Sklar for the past five years. They are always looking for more volunteer quilters, welcoming everyone of all levels. Meetings are once a week for a few months, starting in February. Usually Tuesdays from three to five or five to seven. Each person is only responsible for one square. If anybody is interested or wants more info, email Carol at clar5@sonic.net.
This fundraising project started around the same time as the Craft Faire. Join us at McCaughey Hall for that celebration the Saturday after Turkey Day, November 24th 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free to the43rd annual Christmas Craft Faire and Wool Festival. This is where and when the quilt raffle will take place. You can get last minute tickets there, or beforehand at the Artisans’ Co-op Gallery or the Casino Bar and Grill. You don’t want to miss your chance at getting this year’s quilt!
The quilt is a fun way to show appreciation for the community’s volunteers and togive back to the Fire Department for all they do. They purchase the fabric and reap all the raised profits. Bodega as a whole is very good at giving their time for no expected compensation, which can explain why the Volunteer Fire Department is so successful. Support with an attitude of gratitude.
The quilts end up all over California and across the world. The quilters take photos before the raffle every year and hope to make postcards or even a book. Linda hopes to share the program’s knowledge with other communities, as they have come a long way and significantly progressed since the beginning. They have mastered it over the years. It is a rare opportunity for 25 people (mostly women) to come together and create an art project. The process builds community by making space for people to get to know each other in a social context. The group is run by consensus.
Everyone involved has a special relationship with the quilt. Carol’s favorite part of the experience is “making something beautiful.” And it always turns out beautifully. Linda’s quilt square is “spiritual” because it reflects herself during that moment in time. It means something particularly special to her. Every year the quilt itself holds a special and relevant theme, and this year is about the fire’s aftermath.
Once the quilt is made, it travels to farmers markets and any big local festival in order to spread the love with raffle ticket sales. After gathering all the generous donations, they raise thousands of dollars - up to $5,000 in one year.
