Age Strong Blog: Community Quilt

On June 11, a picture perfect day, the quilters club at the branch library in Codman Square gathered for their end of year celebration. The theme for 2024 was, “Stitch Happens.” Attendees wore shades of pink, blue and dresses in bold patterns. 

Gold and green balloons shimmered in the corner. A jazz duo called “Makanda Project,” softly played tunes from the “American Songbook.” There was a long, informative talk by Gerry Roy and Jennifer M Swope, Curator of Textiles for the Museum of Fine Arts about the “Pilgrim Roy Quilt Collection.” Mr. Roy scanned the room of colorful quilts made by the women of the quilting club, saying, “A lot of the quilts I’m seeing on the wall are much more exciting than what I’m showing you.” The talk concluded with, “Quilts are an incredible way to connect, communicate and bring people together.” 

Lorraine Screen, library assistant and emcee, invited folks to share highlights about other activities at the library. 

Deandra Williams, Adult Programs Supervisor, shared the significance of quilts for the African American community. 

Boston Project Ministries encouraged older adults to attend their technology classes and the intergenerational “Tea Time,” gathering–both funded by the Age Strong Commission.

Yours truly highlighted our Memory Cafe, (the second Wednesday of every month!) and the wish that, “Some day, one of these quilts will be in the Pilgrim Roy collection.”  

One of the quilt group members, Carol, came up with an armful of patchwork table runners. She said she started making them when her son was killed and as a reminder that he will always be at her table.

Branch librarian Janice Knight rounded out the program, winding through the group with a basket full of flowers for members, including Miss Eunice Ohrt, (96 years) the oldest quilter of the group, and Elnora Thompson, the Senior Quilting Group facilitator, who started quilting when she was 9. “Every one of these quilts tells a story,”  Ms. Knight said.  

Lunch was served. Platters of sandwiches, fruit & cool drinks. Women of all ages, some balancing babies on one hip and quilts on the other, sharing words of encouragement like drops of honey; life’s troubles soothed by creativity and community. 

Spotted: Marcos Beleche of Four Corners Main Streets, and Victor Rodriguez both Friends of Codman Square Branch library. Also, Anthony Nguyen from the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services.