President’s Message

1 Nov, 2023

President’s Message – 11/23

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The CQ raffle raised $330 to help support Comfort Quilts.

Dee Rizzo chose her own quilt. Jody Sullivan’s choice was by Joyce Sullivan. Mary Rossetti chose JoAnne Hochstein’s.

With our guild now in full swing at our new home, we hope you are enjoying our meetings as much as we are. Little by little we are ironing out the minor problems that arose with the new change of space.

We look forward to welcoming Cindy Grisdela at our November meeting. Her lecture will be followed by a workshop. We look forward to seeing and hearing many of her new ideas and techniques.

And speaking of techniques, Fran Jacobson will be chairing a Special Interest Group for beginner quilters. Please check with Fran for more details.

At our last meeting Comfort quilts had a wonderful raffle from their summer challenge. Comfort quilts under Karen Carlson’s and Carol Auer’s leadership, sews quilts for those in need. If you are free on Wednesdays join them at the North Salem Ambulance Corp. Please see our website for more details.

And as always please read the entire newsletter and check our website. There is a wealth of information right at your fingertips on all our future activities.

Hope to see you on November 15th.
Sheryl and Helen, president@northernstarquilters.com

Member Notices:

(Members may request a short personal post, quilting related; contact news@northernstarquilters.com)

1 Oct, 2023

President’s Message – 10/23

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Upcoming Landscape Workshop

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make our kickoff meeting a great success. We had an enormous crowd of both old and new members and it was great to see everyone again. Since the quilt show we have gained about 30 new members with 4 joining at the meeting. This is very exciting. Please reach out and make our new members feel welcome and encourage them to join our Special lnterest Groups(SIGs) and other activities.

And mentioning our SIGS, Fran Jacobson has offered to lead a beginner quilting group so that our new quilters might have guidance and technical assistance.

Clara Nartey gave a wonderful presentation on creativity. Her trunk show was truly exquisite. We look forward to Rachel Derstine’s lecture in October. She will also be leading a workshop on landscapes. There are still a few openings.

A big thank you to Lisa Alfonzetti of Pins and Needle for the pizza party and fantastic workshop on sewing machine maintenance that she held for our members just before the meeting. Lisa’s shop is close by in Mount Kisco and she will be keeping it open so that members might shop before the meeting.

Also thanks to Meg Mooar for her wonderful Zoom pop-up presentation on Dyeing Fabrics with Natural Materials; the recording link was emailed afterwards in case you couldn’t attend.

Looking forward to seeing you on Wednesday October 18th at Fox Lane.

Sheryl and Helen, president@northernstarquilters.com

Member Notices:

(Members may request a short personal post, quilting related; contact news@northernstarquilters.com)

1 Sep, 2023

President’s Message – 09/23

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Fox Lane High School Atrium

Atrium Entrance Area and Parking

We hope you all are having a wonderful summer and quilting up a storm.

This year we have a number of exciting things to look forward to. Jo Thomas has managed to snare Irene Roderick (www.ireneroderick.com) for World of Quilts XLIII. She is planning on 3 unique lectures, so plan on spending the weekend with us. We will also be having a 2 day workshop with her after the show and be sure and check out our other workshops scheduled throughout the year. We have our Super Saturday again in February headed by Lefa Alksne and our very own comedian, Linda Finegan running the ever popular Ugly Fabric Auction. Jody Sullivan will be running 2 retreats at the Mariandale Center in Ossining. Check it out in this newsletter. Constance Toplansky is heading our 2023-24 Black and White Challenge. Orphan blocks are being collected by Patricia Loquet for later distribution to make into Comfort Quilts. Finally, we have a number of SIGs making plans for the year and we hope you will join.

As a reminder, our new location is Fox Lane High School, 632 South Bedford Rd. Bedford, NY 10506. This is just east of Exit 4 (Mt.Kisco) of I-684. There are 2 entrances. The first is the immediate right turn just past 684. It is not labeled but the road enters at the back of the campus where the two story atrium is our entrance. If you miss that turnoff, make a right at the light and follow the main roads around to the back. This will lead you to the other end of the campus where the 2-story atrium is at the back of the last building. There is ample parking adjacent to the door. We will be meeting in the cafeteria which is almost immediately on your right upon entering the building.

Before the meeting, at 4pm at her shop, Lisa Alfonzetti of Pins and Needles in Mt. Kisco is running a Sewing Machine Maintenance class and pizza party, free of charge for members, signup is requested – use the signup link later in the newsletter. Thank you so much, we are sure your pointers will be very helpful.

September is here. Hope to see you at our first meeting on Wednesday, September 20st at 5:30!

Sheryl and Helen, president@northernstarquilters.com

Member Notices:

(Members may request a short personal post, quilting related; contact news@northernstarquilters.com)

17 Jul, 2023

Special Edition July 2023

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2023-24 Board Members

Member Notices:

(Members may request a short personal post, quilting related; contact news@northernstarquilters.com)

1 Jun, 2023

President’s Message – 06/23

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Our term as your presidents is coming to an end and we can honestly say it’s been an education as well as a rewarding experience. We wish to thank the current board for all their help and hard work throughout the year. The guild is indebted to you for what you have accomplished the past two years. And thank you again to each new and continuing board member who stepped up to serve 2023-2024. We wish you the very best.

We’ve had our challenges from finding a new venue for the quilt show, a new venue for workshops, and most recently, securing a new space for our monthly meetings. Now we can announce that we have a new location – the large cafeteria at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, NY. We believe this new location may prove to be advantageous to many as it is located right off Rte 684. Meeting dates are expected to continue on the third Wednesday of the month, except for December which will be on the second Wednesday. You will be receiving more information from your new presidents, Helen May and Sheryl Fleishaker. We look forward to seeing you there in the fall!

Once again we wish to thank Lisa Alfonzetti and her incredible committee who made World of Quilts XLII a success. We gained 17 new memberships during the show!

We hope to see many of you on Wednesday, June 21 at the Salad Supper Meeting which starts at 6 pm at Kennedy Catholic HS. Details follow in the hospitality section.

Warmest wishes for an enjoyable summer,

Margaret and Jody

Member Notices:

(Members may request a short personal post, quilting related; contact news@northernstarquilters.com)

1 May, 2023

President’s Message – 05/23

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The Annual Meeting of the Northern Star Quilters’ Guild will be held from 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 17 at Kennedy Catholic High. At this meeting the membership will vote on the candidates who have generously stepped forward to serve on the Board for the 2023-2024 guild year. Please read the brief bios below and come to the meeting and take part in the voting.

Our speaker that evening will be Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill — a designer, quilt pattern publisher, award-winning quilter, educator and creative entrepreneur.

You may be reading this as you’re viewing our amazing World of Quilts XLII or perhaps sitting home with your feet up after enjoying the show. It is truly something we can all be proud to present for public enjoyment. We sincerely thank everyone who contributed their time, energy and talents to make this show a success. We especially thank Lisa Alfonzetti and her incredible committee who worked tirelessly to make it happen.

Weren’t this year’s “Card Tricks” Challenge Quilts fantastic? Thank you, April Russell, for all of your efforts to pull together a stunning exhibit.

Do you have something you’ve recently finished or is a work in progress? What’s holding you back from sharing it during Show and Tell in May? We love seeing what our members are working on and We want to cheer for you.

Margaret and Jody

Annual Meeting and Board Election - May 17th

The Guild’s Annual Meeting and Board Elections will take place at the May Guild Meeting, April 19th. No bylaw changes are proposed.
Pics and bios for candidates for election to the NSQG Board for 2023-24 follow.

Co-Presidents: Helen Nash May, Sheryl Fleishaker

Helen Nash May

I have been quilting for the past twenty years. In the 80’s and 90’s I designed quilts for my mother-in-law who was an avid quilter and made numerous quilts for all her grandchildren. I eventually inherited both her stash and sewing machine; when the machine finally died in 2004, I decided to both buy a new one and put it to good use taking a quilting course at Hartsdale Fabrics. I made my first granddaughter that first quilt. Four more grandchildren within the next couple of years and I was officially a quilter!
I soon began inventing my own patterns. A few years later I purchased a longarm so I could enhance the quilts with free motion designs. My favorite techniques are hand dyeing fabrics and abstract art quilts.
I’ve been a member of both Northern Star Quilters Guild and Village Square Quilters since I retired in 2011. I’ve been VP of Programs for NSQG for 2 years and Treasurer of VSQ also for 2 years. For the past two years Sheryl Fleishaker, whom I’m grateful to call a very good friend, and I have organized the Volunteers for our Quilt Show.
I’ve been happily married for 53 years and have three great kids (although I say six with their spouses), and six wonderful grandchildren.
I’m looking forward to Sheryl and I, as your Co-Presidents, continuing the wonderful traditions that make our Guild so special.

Sheryl Fleishaker

I guess it can be said that I’m the third generation from my family of women who sew. They all sewed clothes, made curtains, and even recovered furniture. However, I am the only quilter. I started becoming interested in quilting about 10 years ago. My husband and I raised three children who are now grown and out of the house and suddenly it was too quiet. I took a quilting class at Hartsdale Fabric and was hooked. I joined Village Squares to meet other quilters and I met Helen May who became my friend and travel partner attending workshops and quilt conferences both near and far. About 5 years later I joined Northern Star. I loved going to the meetings and participating in the workshops that were offered. With quilting there is always something to learn. I enjoy the energy and the talent that is offered by the people at Northern Star and look forward to an exciting and fun year ahead as your co-president along with Helen May.

Secretary: Amanda Curley

Amanda Curley

When I joined the NSQG in 2015, the world of quilting I knew as a child had changed. I’ve been fascinated with the different quilting techniques and approaches and captivated with the quilts made and shared while enjoying the friendship of so many quilters. As we all know, there is a time to give back and in 2021 I decided to volunteer to be the Guild’s Treasurer. Your votes gave me the position and this journey has been as informative as have been the years as a new quilter. As the Treasurer, my understanding of how the Guild works has grown exponentially. With my experience of the past two years, I would like to contribute to the Guild as the Secretary.

Treasurer: Kathy Vanacoro

I have been of member of NSQG for many years, albeit absent for the last 5+ years due to a conflict on Tuesday nights when I bowl with my hubby. While at last year’s show, I was so happy to hear the guild was moving to Wednesday nights…..I immediately rejoined. In my past years as a member, I have served as VP Programs as well as VP Quilt Show.
I learned to sew at the age of 14 by my sister and made many outfits for myself, and then my two children. I took up quilting 25+ years ago to quit smoking, it worked, but I now have another addiction, FABRIC.
I recently retired in Sept. 2021 as the Principal’s secretary at George Fisher Middle School in Carmel after 31 years and four Principals. While at school, I was the student activity treasurer for the past 27 years.
My quilting interests these days are just using up my massive stash. I am loving being able to participate in Comfort Quilts in person, as well as teaching children to sew with 4H. I love appliqué and making easy, traditional quilts. I also enjoy making ByAnnie bags… my latest addiction.
When I first joined NSQG as a member, Nancy Mirman made a statement “If you want to get to know fellow members, join the quilt show committee.”….The rest is history and I’m so glad to be back.

VP Communications: Debra Oaks

Debra Oaks

I come to quilting through my mother who has been a very accomplished quilter for my entire life. As a kid I used to “help” her when she hand quilted all the pieces she made. For myself, I really started sewing during the pandemic. As my daughter says, it was the hobby I was looking for and, once I found it, it exploded. I love learning all the techniques and intricacies of piecing and, as a longarm quilter, the finishes. I’ve met some great people too and look forward to deepening my relationships in the community.

VP Membership: Joanne Visovsky

Joanne Visovsky

I’m not really a quilter but was interested enough to join the guild in 2019. As a full-time real estate agent, I don’t have an abundance of free time. I wanted to get back into sewing and liked the idea of Comfort Quilts. As a young girl I hand-sewed doll clothes with my grandmother’s help. Started machine sewing in junior high and high school. Bought myself a Bernina Nova 900 after college and considered it a huge gift to myself! Then life took over and my machine sat idle for decades while I worked and raised our four kids. Now it’s time to get back to creating and I find all you guild members so inspiring! Being on the Membership Team has been fun for me and I look forward to continuing.

VP Programs: Jo Thomas

Jo Thomas

Like many of us, my love of textiles was inspired by my mom and grandma. Their ingenuity, attention to detail, sense of accomplishment, charity and community of sewing friends made an enduring mark on my own maker self. Combine a love of learning with that love of textiles and the obvious outcome for this girl is a quilter who attends lots of lectures and classes. Over the past few years I’ve taken, organized, or both taken and organized 40-something workshops and many, many lectures. I learn something every time and I look forward to continuing this journey, overseeing the programs and searching and selecting speakers and teachers for the Guild. I will be in my happy place and grateful that I can give back to a guild who has given me so many opportunities.

VP Quilt Show: Deborah Warren

Deborah Warren

Following in my mom‘s footsteps, I attempted my first quilt at the age of 13 using cardboard templates and leftover fabric scraps – and I’ve been quilting ever since. I currently live in Tarrytown and travel frequently to the Midwest to visit family – and I always take my sewing machine to sew along with my sister and brother! As an active member of NSQG for the past 7 years, I served as co-chair of the 2019 Quilt Show and with that gained experience, I’ve enjoyed assisting the 2022/2023 Quilt Show VP to ensure our show goes off without a hitch.

1 Apr, 2023

President’s Message – 04/23

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Click to Print our Poster

We are pleased to announce the proposed slate of candidates. They will be introduced at our Guild Meeting on April 19 and we thank these candidates for agreeing to give their time and talents to this guild. Voting will take place at the May Annual Meeting.

Nominees for elected Board positions for the 2023-2024 year are:

Co-Presidents: Helen May and Sheryl Fleishaker
Secretary: Amanda Curley
Treasurer: Kathy Vanacoro
VP Communications: Debra Oaks
VP Quilt Show: Debbie Warren
VP Programs: Jo Thomas
VP Membership: Joanne Visovsky (returning for a second year)

Additionally, the following members have agreed to serve as appointed chairpersons of the Board Standing Committees:

Charitable Activities: Dee Plouffe
Activities Liaison: Rona Spar
Hospitality: Alona Harmon
Library: Susan Andrews

Furthermore, we have a crew of members who have agreed to assist both the elected and appointed leaders. HOWEVER, we are still seeking more members who can be counted on “when life happens” and assistance would be wonderful. Won’t you put your name forward? Volunteerism is an important factor in this organization and responsibilities ought to be spread among as many members as possible. It’s what makes all of our ongoing activities successful. We welcome your service.

We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday, April 19 at 6 pm at Kennedy Catholic High School. Our speaker will be David Hornung, a painter, author, and professor of art who has taught workshops designed for quilt makers and fiber artists. David’s workshop, Investigating Color, takes place Thursday at Millwood Fire Company.

Thank you to Linda Finegan. Rosemary DePaola and the rest of their committee for another entertaining and successful Ugly Fabric Auction!

Reminder – Quilt Show drop off is Saturday, April 29 from 12-4 at North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Margaret and Jody, president@northernstarquilters.com

1 Mar, 2023

President’s Message – 03/23

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—————– Ugly? Not Ugly?

Firstly, thank you to those members who agreed to serve as elected officers on the Guild Board ’23-’24. A slate of candidates will be presented for approval at the March board meeting. We also thank the other members of the Nominating Committee, Rosemary De Paola, Kathy Keane and Grace Zipprich, who met with us on Zoom, made numerous phone calls and wrote emails.

Secondly, we’re looking forward to seeing many of you in person at our next meeting, Wednesday, March 15, at Kennedy Catholic. And we hope that those of you have been to our retreat at Mariandale and/or Super Saturday in Ossining and at Quilt Con in Atlanta will share your adventures and perhaps show us some work (even WIP).

‘Card Tricks’ Challenge Quilts should be brought to the March meeting.

Bring extra cash and a sense of fun to this meeting because the main feature will be our Ugly Fabric Auction. It’s amazing to see what beauty you all can create from what some others may think is “ugly.”

Margaret and Jody

NSQG Members at the Guild Quilt Retreat

1 Feb, 2023

President’s Message – 02/23

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Our priority is finding a President, Programs VP, Communications VP and Library Chair for the 2023-24 guild season. Any of these positions could be shared with another member. If you are nervous about taking on any of the responsibilities that come with these jobs, don’t be! Past leaders are prepared and willing to assist. If you want this guild to continue, we need folks to take the plunge and commit to maintaining and growing a community that is important to them. Members of the nominating committee will be making calls. When we reach out to you, we hope you’ll say YES. Our guild’s future depends on you!

The next guild meeting on Zoom is Wednesday, February 15th and features a lecture by Suzi Parron about Barn Quilt painting and quilt trails.

Last month’s Show & Tell on Zoom was fabulous, and we hope that more of you will participate this month. Perhaps some of you who took Tara Faughnan’s color workshop at the end of January will share.

We look forward to Super Saturday coming up on February 18th. We feel confident it will be filled with learning and laughter.

Registration for showing your quilt(s) at our World of Quilts XLII is open. The form can be accessed via our website – northernstarquilters.com – or use the link in the Latest News section.

‘Card Tricks’ Challenge Quilts will be collected at our in-person March 15 meeting at Kennedy Catholic HS.
Mark your calendars as that is also the date for the beautiful Ugly Fabric Auction.

Stay healthy and keep warm.

Margaret and Jody, president@northernstarquilters.com

1 Jan, 2023

President’s Message – 01/23

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We hope that you all enjoyed your holidays and send warm wishes for a happy, healthy, and creative New Year. Additionally, some frigid weather has come our way and we hope that you are able to stay warm … working on a quilt or cuddling under one are both good ways to accomplish that!

It was wonderful seeing many of you at our December holiday meeting.

Don’t forget that our next two meetings will be on zoom: January 18 and February 15. You can log on at 5:45 to “socialize” before the business meeting which will start at 6:00 followed by a lecture. You will receive login information ahead of each meeting by email. While we won’t have our traditional Show and Tell, there may be time to highlight a few of you between the meeting and the lecture. So keep your work nearby if you wish to share.

Check our Latest News below and our website and mark your calendars for the upcoming speakers and workshops scheduled.

Our nominating committee is formed and will be reaching out to members soon to fill elected positions for 2023-2024. We are thrilled that a few of you have already volunteered for some positions. We will be looking for candidates for President, Programs and Communications. We know you care about the future of our guild so please consider saying YES when you are asked. Grab a friend and work as a team … it’s definitely worked for us!

The World of Quilts XLII will be here before you know it. Quilt Registration runs mid-January through March. All details are on our website.

There’s still time to register for Super Saturday on February from 9am-3pm. Check our website for more information.

Margaret and Jody

Margaret Cibulsky and Jody Sullivan, president@northernstarquilters.com

Two pics from Ukraine orphanage where our last shipment of quilts went (seen on beds) as well as knitted “peace pocket pals”. Please do not publicize elsewhere. Jody

1 Dec, 2022

President’s Message – 12/22

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Metropolis Sunrise Volunteers-Eagle eyes will spot Rona, Althea, Brenda and Anne in the crowd!

Hopefully, you all had an enjoyable Thanksgiving Day and were even able to get in some sewing during the days following. Something we cannot say enough: we are extremely thankful for all those members who donate their time and talent to this Guild. Without you this organization would cease to thrive and be vibrant.

Can you believe that December is already here? Now the truly hectic holidays season begins. Our December 14th meeting, the 2nd Wednesday, at Kennedy will be more casual because we do not have a scheduled speaker. That means there is plenty of time for Show and Tell … always a highlight of our meetings. Plan now to bring something and sign your name on the Clipboard sheet when you enter! The usual refreshments will be provided and you’re more than welcome to bring in a wee bit to share.

During the next few months, we will be looking for members to take on the elected positions of President, Secretary, Treasurer, Programs, Quilt Show and Communications for the next guild year, July 2022- thru June 2023. All these positions could be “Co-Jobs” with shared responsibilities. How wonderful it would be if two members who work well together would just step up and volunteer!

Our meetings in January and February will be Zoom meetings. You will receive Zoom link information ahead of each meeting. Be sure to check our website for all activities, speakers and workshops planned for the new year.

The February 3rd-5th retreat at the Center in Mariandale will be a fun and productive weekend! There are a few spots available. The fee is $230 which includes a private room, meals, snacks, and a comfortable workroom on a beautiful campus. Contact Jody Sullivan (jodysull@optonline.net) or Margaret Cibulsky (margy52@gmail.com) if interested.

Be sure to sign up for Super Saturday on February 18, it promises to be an enjoyable day.

Take care of yourselves until we see you soon,
Margaret Cibulsky and Jody Sullivan, president@northernstarquilters.com

27 Oct, 2022

President’s Message – 11/22

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Scissor Man

October’s meeting was great fun with 72 members present. We were entertained by guest lecturer Linda Hahn and six members took her workshop the following day. The Comfort Quilt Summer Challenge Raffle was a success: we collected over $300 so there were three quilt winners. It was not easy for the raffle winners to choose a quilt because of the beautiful display. Ohhh … and many of us went home with sharp scissors!

The last shipment of more than 170 quilts has reached Ukraine and it was heartwarming to see photos confirming this information. Quilts were donated by members of this guild, NYC Metro Mod, a guild from Long Island, a group from Cape Cod and other individuals. Thank you all for your generosity! (Notice the photo with a NSQG Comfort Quilt label.)

Our planned retreat at the Center at Mariandale is scheduled for February 3-5 (Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon). The price is $230 which includes room and board, six meals, snacks and beverages, and plenty of sewing time. To sum it all up – a weekend of camaraderie, relaxation and fun! If you definitely want to attend, please email jodysull@optonline.net and margy52@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you again at Kennedy on Wednesday, November 16. Please bring a Show and Tell and sign up at the entry. Also bring “ugly fabrics” in a bag or box and drop off with Rosemary DePaola.

Make it a habit to check our website, northernstarquilters.com to see what else is happening, check under the menu heading ‘Happenings’, review the event calendar items, or click on the ‘Quick Links’ entry. You can see samples and descriptions for the February 18th Super Saturday classes by clicking on the Super Saturday links.

See you soon!
Margaret Cibulsky and Jody Sullivan, co-presidents