Goldendale woman stitches together a local tradition
Rachel Cavanaugh
News Editor
Janet Crawford has pieced together a plan to help people throughout the world stay warm — literally.
The Goldendale woman launched “The Piece-makers” last year, a local quilting group which sends blankets to people in need.
Armed with four sewing machines, an ironing board, dozens of scissors, and about 10 eager seamstresses, the group meets twice a month to make quilts.
Several times a year, they send a batch to the Lutheran World Relief organization (LWR), which in turn distributes the blankets worldwide.
Some are also put aside for local charities.
Since its inception, the local sect has sent more than 200 yards of fabric abroad.
Crawford models the network after a similar operation in La Center, where she grew up watching her godmother quilt.
“I was just eager to get to the point when I retired and could get a group going,” Crawford said.
They have so far made about 20 quilts, consisting mostly of donated fabrics. They scan garage sales and hold fundraisers to buy batting — the soft material inside.
Crawford says oddly enough, LWR asks them not to make the quilts too elaborate, or it is more likely they will be stolen from the recipients. They also cannot use fabrics with any sort of camouflage print, military insignia, crosses, religious symbols, or flags of any kind.
People sometimes try to donate fabrics with Fourth of July prints or eagles, Crawford says, for example, and they cannot accept them.
This is because the quilts sometimes go to warring countries where certain symbols can put recipients in danger.
She underlines the group is not restricted to Lutherans and anybody who would like to help is welcome. Sewing expertise, she adds, is not required.
The group could produce even more, she says, with added help, pointing to a nearby group that has made 96 in the last few months.
The Goldendale woman says, however, it goes beyond the quilts. Her group is also about “having fun and friendship and laughing.”
Moreover, she says, the idea is to continue what her godmother helped begin.
“I’m proud to be able to carry on this legacy.”
“The Piece-makers” meet the second and fourth Monday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon at Christ the King Lutheran Church, in Goldendale.
For more information, call Janet at 773-4128.
Horizons workshop teaches ‘green’ building
Innovative technologies for home building are reaching Klickitat County, which local environmentalists say is great for the region.
Tobiah Israel, who taught a green building workshop in Goldendale last weekend, said building technologies like straw bale and cob are ideal for agricultural zones.
“We’re in wheat country here,” said Israel. “Straw is a waste product. Farmers don’t know what to do with it…they often bale it up and sell it for animal beds.”
He said apart from ecological benefits, using straw to build homes can also be economically sound. Moreover, resale value is often higher because of the low maintenance and lower energy costs.
The technology has been developed to the point now where it passes all tests of durability, fire-resistance and longevity required for residential housing.
During the workshop, a solar electric system for off-grid living, solar hot water heating, straw bale, cob (a mixture of earth and straw), and clay-straw (clay-coated straw packed in forms) were all displayed.
There was also a demonstration of a stabilized earthen stucco mixture used for surface coating.
The workshop was organized by the WSU Extension in Goldendale and sponsored by the Horizons Project, which has focused on creating a center for green building, renewable energy, and sustainable practices like organic gardening.
“It is definitely time to consider seriously the demands each one of us places on the planet,” said Israel. “Straw bale construction is one way of reducing our needs and therefore our impact.”
Orioles return offers color and charm to area yards and gardens
Backyard Birding, a column by Hallie Barta
By the time May rolls around, the orioles, which spent their winters in the luxury of the tropics return north for the summer nesting season. These birds’ tastes are different from the typical backyard bird, and there are special ways to keep them around all summer.
First, Bullock’s orioles prefer areas with as many trees as possible. This can be frustrating when trying to view the timid birds. To help, there are various feeding routines that will aid in bringing them out into the open.
Like hummingbirds, they are sweet-toothed and may be attracted to bright flowers. Since they’re used to eating tropical fruits, a halved orange driven into a branch or nail can be a beacon if replaced daily. If the birds lose interest in fruit, coax them with sugar-water solution (like with hummingbirds: four parts water and one part sugar, boiled and cooled) in oriole-accessible feeders (orioles and hummingbirds will share!). Even a dish of jelly may lure them in.
There are a couple of miscellaneous practices to cater to the birds’ needs as well. Suet cakes, served in wire or mesh cages, will give the nesting females an added energy boost that the males may also take advantage of. Orioles are fond of white nesting material, so short lengths of cotton twine, white cotton batting, and bits of paper will appeal to them. Even pieces of clean, lightly baked eggshells can bring in the females who need extra calcium for egg-laying.
No matter what you do to attract orioles, a glimpse of the reclusive but gorgeous birds is a wonderful reward. In autumn, after the leaves have all fallen from the trees, look way up into the branches and see if you can find the orioles’ hanging nest swinging in the wind. |
