Happy Spring — hopefully…finally!

It is hard to believe we only have two meetings left until the end of another wonderful Guild year.  We certainly had quite a bit going on this year.

A big thank you to Rona Spar for putting together a wonderful bus trip to the ASQ show in Hartford. I think we can safely say a great time was had by all at the show and on the bus. We also want to thank Joanne Visovsky for putting together another wonderful sit and sew. Both of these events offer ways for members to not only meet, but to learn from each other.

At the May meeting the recommended slate of officers for the 26-27 year will be presented to membership.  Nominations for all positions will also be taken from the floor.  Please do not hesitate to nominate anyone you feel should be on the Board.  Considering the circumstances concerning the quilt show, we will fill the Chair position at a later date but will take nominations from the floor at the May meeting.  The vote for the slate of officers will be taken at the June meeting.

The nominating committee has recommended the following guild members:

  • President:  JoAnne Hochstein and Mary Rossetti
  • Membership VP:  Jeanne Hinrichs and Shelly Lounsbury
  • Communications VP:  Debra Oaks
  • Programs VP:  Kathy Tuttle and Betty Moulton
  • Quilt Show VP: To be filled
  • Secretary:  Patricia Loquet
  • Treasurer:  Kathy Vanacoro

As mentioned at the April meeting, we need to review our By-Laws.  Please see Mary Rossetti if you are interested in sitting on this committee.

See you at the May meeting,
JoAnne and Mary

2026-27 Nominees for Elected Board Positions

President - JoAnne Hochstein and Mary Rossetti

JoAnne Hochstein

JoAnne Hochstein:  I began my love affair with textile crafts in the 60’s and received my first sewing machine as a high school graduation present!   While I loved all things sewing, I realized that zippers and buttonholes did not feel the same about me!  I learned basic quilting skills through PBS shows until I joined the Guild in 1990. We are so fortunate to have this guild and I was proud to serve in many positions over the years because I believe we must give back to insure that this guild continues for many more years!  It has provided us with friends who lift us up when we are in need, travel options to other shows and the satisfaction that charitable activities gives us!  I look forward with humility to serving as the guilds co-president.

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Mary Rossetti:
I first joined the Guild in September 1990 when we met at the Somers Intermediate School. I have held a number of positions…show and guild treasurer and hospitality co-chair. I am a traditional quilter who still likes to hand quilt, but am planning to do some machine quiting. I’m retiring the end of June and am looking forward to having more time to quilt.

Treasurer - Kathy Vanacoro

Kathy Vanacoro

Having served as treasurer for the past two years, I can honestly say I enjoy being part of the board and working to keep this guild active and afloat.  Many hands make my job easier, and the current board has helped me tremendously with their support.
Over the years, I have served as VP Programs, VP Quilt Show and ran the Lancaster trip.  If you want to get to know your fellow members, get involved. Join us at Comfort Quilts, join a committee, or just lend a hand.  It’s the best way to get to know those who share the same passion…. quilting!!!

Secretary - Patricia Loquet

Patricia Loquet

As a new mom I did some sewing but it never really interested me, but whenever I went to the library I always took out quilting books to pore over. It wasn’t until a neighbor who was a guild member told me about “Country Quilter” a shop in Somers that I finally found my “forever craft”. I joined the guild in 2001 as a beginning quilter and immediately signed up to go on the Lancaster trip which was a great way to meet my fellow guild members. I was able to join Comfort Quilts in 2004 and have been making quilts for people in need since then.  I have worked on the quilt show committee a number of times, I’ve been on the Board (very early on) and have done many ‘One Offs” including Row By Row, Square Robins, Mystery Quilts, and Orphan Blocks which many members have participated in. At the current time I run the monthly raffle table, another great way to meet and chat with my quilting sisters and brothers. I wish to continue working for the guild and the secretary position is a perfect fit.

Membership - Shelley Lounsbury and Jeanne Hinrichs

Jeanne Hinrichs

Jeanne Hinrichs:  I was so pleased to be asked to help with membership. I look forward to working with Shelley Lounsbury as we meet and greet new members. Joanne Visovsky and Carol Sterk did amazing work organizing all the backroom systems needed for membership. They have made our job easy, and I appreciate their support as we transition into our new roles. I have been quilting for over 40 years. I joined the Guild many years ago when my children were young. I had too much on my plate at the time to do the Guild justice. I rejoined 3 years ago and have enjoyed participating in Comfort Quilts and guest workshops. I try all types of quilting and like learning new techniques, but my love is hand applique and hand quilting. I look forward to meeting more and more guild members in my new role.

Shelley Lounsbury

Shelley Lounsbury began quilting 30 years ago at the Country Quilter in Somers, NY, and has attended many of the quilt shows sponsored by the Northern Star Quilters’ Guild. Prior to joining the NSQG in 2021, her understanding of quilting was mostly book-based. She joins the membership team appreciating how being in this community has opened the world of quilting to her and enriched her life in many ways: providing opportunities to learn from others, make friends, and grow as a quilter. She is a member of Comfort Quilts and has worked on the quilt show’s “Take a Chance” raffle baskets team for three years.

Programs - Betty Moulton and Kathy Tuttle

Betty Moulton (President of VASTA 2016-18) an actor, voice teacher and coach for over 40 years in the U.S. and Canada. Teaching in professional actor training programs includes SMU, University of Washington, University of Victoria, and University of Alberta, where she also devised and ran the MFA program in Theatre Voice Pedagogy, training new voice specialists. She is now a Professor Emerita and does private coachings and select workshops with actors, and in business, coaching for vocal challenges and presentation skills.

Kathy Tuttle: In the fall I will be starting my eighth year in the Guild.During that time I have chaired Super Saturday and ran programs and workshops . During those years I was able. to meet several talented speakers and workshops presenters. Super Saturday is always exciting as the talented members of the Guild share their skills with members. Recently I took over Programs once again. I have booked great speakers and workshops for the new Guild year starting in September. I hope to see many of you at the meetings and workshops during the 2026/27 calendar year.

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. I love learning all the techniques and intricacies of piecing and, as a longarm quilter, the finishes. I’ve met some great people and look forward to deepening my relationships in the community.

Quilt Show - open

Member Notices:

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

Valerie Zeller has a Featherweight for sale, $350, maintained with manual and bobbins  Call 914-672-1362.

Joanne Visovsky is holding a Patagonia Aqua Puff Jacket left behind at one of our fall Fox Lane guild meetings.  If yours, call or text 914-548-2310.

Angela Liptack and friends have a quilt and watercolor  show thru May 24 at The Meetinghouse in Ridgefield, CT.

Rita Romeu invites members to an NSQG Improv SIG exhibit ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’ at the Eastchester Library (May 9&23) and the Mt.Kisco Library (June).  See the article in our May newsletter.

Barbara Glab will have her quilts exhibited at the Mamaroneck Public Library in May thru June and in August at the Harrison Public Library.

Christine Bunke has a Pfaff 2144 with embroidery unit and some accessories, $150. Contact chrisme214@aol.com.