Press Releases

May 13, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina is opening a Gift Shop at the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce on Friday, May 22. Executive Director, Barbara Webster, said “We are excited to be opening the gift shop at the Chamber because we know a lot of people come to the Chamber looking for maps and tour guides. Now we can be there to answer their questions. We think it is a win-win situation for both the Chamber and Quilt Trails.” The shop will be open on Fridays and Saturdays only until more volunteers are found to staff it for more days. If you would like to volunteer for the Gift Shop and learn more about the Chamber and how to serve visitors to our county, call 828-682-7331.

May 13, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Quilt Trials of Western North Carolina has just published the Driving Map for all nine quilt trails covering Yancey and Mitchell Counties. The 16 page map will help you find the quilt blocks all over both counties. There are nine Tour Guides which go with the map which have all the stories about the blocks in them. You can purchase the map for $2 or a Tour Guide at the Quilt Trails Gift Shop at the Burnsville Chamber of Commerce or at Needle Me This quilt shop. The Tour Guides are $10, $12 and $15, depending on the size. Each Guide tells you how many blocks are on the trail and the approximate driving time it will take you to find all the blocks. Each Guide also has the map for that tour in the back of the book. The guides are available at the Quilt Trails Gift Shop only.

Barbara Webster, Executive Director of Quilt Trails, said, “We are thrilled to get these Guides published and thank everyone who contributed their time and talents to making this happen. Many people helped write the stories and take the pictures. The community can all be proud.” Webster went on to say because the maps are so extensive that she expects mistakes to be found and encourages the community to call her with corrections. The maps are printed in small batches so that they can be kept as up-to-date as possible.

“We encourage everyone to get out for a drive and see our beautiful counties, and learn the history of where we live,” said Webster. There are now over 130 blocks installed.

May 11, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Quilt Trails is raffling off a quilt this year made by Chloe and Glenda Ramsey. The blue and yellow Lone Star quilt is a Ramsey family favorite, and was based on the quilt block which hangs on Julie Letterman’s house in Bee Log. Julie is Chloe’s granddaughter.

Years ago, when Becky Gillespie owned Ye Old Fabric Store in Burnsville, Chloe and daughter, Glenda, made quilts for Becky to sell in her shop. One year, Becky took one of those quilts with her to a retreat at Montreat where it was sold to Ruth Graham. Ruth’s husband, the Rev. Billy Graham, gave the quilt to Pope John Paul, III.

Now you have a chance to win a quilt made by our famous Bee Log quilters who have a quilt in the Vatican to their credit. The quilt is hand quilted, and is 98” square – big enough for a queen size bed.

You can see the quilt at Carolina First Bank and buy tickets at the bank, at any Yancey County or Mitchell County library, or at the Quilt Trails Gift Shop at the Chamber of Commerce, opening May 22. Tickets are $2 or 3 for $5.

For more information, call 828-682-7331.