A timeless art – Quilts help celebrate county’s history at annual fair show

By Margaret Hobbs

Shelba Gribble, right, is fortunate to have a friend in Helen Martin, as she had given the appliqued quilt to her as a Christmas gift. Gribble, in turn, entered it in the Antique Quilt Show, earning both a first place and the Sweepstakes Award.

Quilts have always been an expression of both art and necessity. It is truly rewarding to be the keeper of an antique quilt, a sentiment evident at the annual Antique Quilt Show at the Warren County A&L Fair. The 10th annual event kicks off the fair by displaying colorful creations in the Fairfield Courthouse on Saturday and Sunday. This year the Hearth and Home Quilters displayed their quilted wall hangings commemorating the county’s 200 years.

Over 63 entries were entered, with Wilma Cathey’s National Bicentennial quilt taking the People’s Choice Award.

‘My mother Ruby Freeze Young designed, pieced and quilted it in honor of the Bicentennial in 1976. It is something I will always cherish,’ said Cathey.

An antique quilt is always an exciting addition for any collector, but it is also fulfilling to share them with others. That is exactly what Helen Martin did with a lovely appliqu??d quilt that won a first place in the appliqu??d quilt category, and the Sweepstakes Award. She gave it to friend and fellow quilt enthusiast, Shelba Gribble, as a Christmas gift.

‘I loved the quilt, and saw that Shelba loved it too, so I gave it to her at Christmas. She is a great friend and neighbor and I wanted her to have it. It has given me a million dollars worth of enjoyment,’ said Martin.

Avid quilt collectors Lisa and Bill McCoy entered 18 quilts from their extensive collection. The couple found quilt collecting was something they enjoyed doing together, traveling on weekends in search of additions to their collection. He is somewhat of a history buff, and enjoys researching and documenting information about the quilts.

Ribbons were awarded to the following entries in the show:

Class A, pieced ‘ Lisa McCoy, Linda Holland and Bill McCoy;

Class B, appliqu??d ‘ Shelba Gribble and Treva Sparkman;

Class C, embroidered ‘ Lisa McCoy, Ed Griswold and Wilma Cathey;

Class E, unquilted tops ‘ Lisa McCoy and Treva Sparkman;

Class F, most unusual ‘ Billy Ed Webb and Elaine Childers;

Class G, friendship ‘ Helen Martin and Nancy Watts;

Class H, string ‘ Billy Ed Webb and Cherie Gregory;

Class I, scrap ‘ Shelba Gribble;

Class J, stamped ‘ Treva Sparkman;

Class K, tied or tacked ‘ Shelba Gribble;

Class L, crib ‘ Shelba Gribble and Lisa McCoy; and

Class N, cross-stitched ‘ Ed Griswold and Lisa McCoy.