Sunday Roundup: 'We the People Quilt' on display for America's 250th Birthday
A patchwork celebration for the Fourth of July; Pixie's legendary last day; SoCo Alert notifications
On Saturday in Santa Rosa’s Courthouse Square, dozens of quilts formed an impressive centerpiece for a celebration of America’s 250th Birthday organized by Indivisible Sonoma County. The Sonoma County quilting project, known as the We the People Quilt, had over 200 participants ranging from ages seven to 90. The project lead, Pamela Van Halsema, wearing a “Quilting Craftivist” button, said that “246 squares were submitted, and they were stitched together to create 26+ quilts!” A lot of people turned out to see the quilts, which can also be viewed online.
The largest quilts were spread out on the ground. “No single person could have made this. That was the point,” said a poster for the project. “Two hundred and forty-six visions of what this country could be, sewn by people who mostly didn’t know each other’s names before this project began, now hang together as one.”
Maestro John Maas and the Sebastopol Harmonia Choir performed on stage. Famous Speeches from famous Americans such as Susan B. Anthony, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Frederick Douglass were recited.
Earlier this year, Pamela Van Halsema began the quilting project by holding workshops in libraries in Windsor, Sebastopol, Petaluma, Healdsburg, and in two locations in Sonoma Valley. She hoped for 100 squares but she had over twice that many submitted by May 15th. She organized a team to stitch the squares into quilts, which she said “required a whole other level of craftsmanship.”
A poster explained the process: “Each one had to be trimmed, matched, and sewn alongside squares it didn’t choose, made by people its maker had never met. That is not a compromise of the vision. It is the vision. A patchwork only holds together because of the seams, because someone was willing to do the quiet, unglamorous work of joining one piece to the next, again and again, until difference became structure instead of division.”
One of the quilts was made by high school sophomores in their art class. “They wrote 10-page papers on their choice of a social justice topic, and then designed their quilt square based on what they had researched,” said Van Halsema. “You’ll see them talking anti-war, censorship, redlining, human trafficking, making really powerful statements — those are the things that these young people wanted to talk about.”
Under a pop-up tent, Mary Bracken of Monte Rio was working with volunteers on a very large American flag - Old Glory. “This flag is 11 feet by 17 feet and it comes from Guerneville School.”
Mary was a teacher at the school and the flag was brought to the school for a musical years ago and then forgotten. After seeing an anti-nuclear protest where they stitched a peace sign on an American flag, Mary was inspired to work with students to do the same for this flag. At this event, she worked with volunteers to re-stitch the pieces of fabric for the peace sign. She doesn’t exactly know what to do with this large Old Glory once they’re done repairing it. “If you know anyone who’d like to display this old American flag, let me know,” she said.
(In case you’re wondering, using a flag in an art project is legal and is considered a form of protected speech. If you’d like to dispose of an old flag in more traditional manner, give it your local VFW, which has a whole ceremony for respectfully retiring old or damaged flags.)
The online version of each quilt identifies the maker of each square. Toni Noonan said of her square below: “I spent a long time thinking about what matters in life and politics and tried to say them in a way that matters.”
Joanie Springer said of her “Land of the free” square: “My forebears fought in the American Revolution against a tyrant King in order that we of the New World would be free. Free to speak our minds, free to live in peace, free to practice one's faith. Welcoming to those who wish to live in freedom as well.” Well worth celebrating.
Pixie’s last day
Pixie Anderson, wearing a sash that read, “The Legend has retired,” was stunned by all the presents and cards—her apron pockets were stuffed with them—that grateful customers brought by on Tuesday. “I had no idea,” she said.
Sign up for SoCoAlert emergency notifications
The Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management has rolled out a new alert system to keep Sonoma County residents informed during disasters. SoCoAlert is the official notification system for the County, which will issue geographically targeted warnings.
To register, use the web portal (linked here) and enter your name, email address and telephone number. You can list up to five locations in Sonoma County, which might include your home, your child’s school or your workplace.
SoCo Alert is not the same as the Nixle service, which also issues safety advisories and warnings. We have asked Sonoma County Department of Emergency Management to help us understand the difference between the two services and we’ll pass on what we learn.
The Thrifty Goat is thriving
Remember our story about Thrifty Goat? Manager Michelle Gleed reports that after only three weeks, the store is already making a profit and providing funds for Goatlandia.
CORRECTIONS
In our story on the Stone Creek Zen Center celebrating 30 years, the founder said that said that the Center was debt free. The Center asked us to run the following clarification: “While Stone Creek Zen Center is fiscally sound and responsibly managed, it still has a mortgage, so it is not actually debt-free at this time.”
In last week’s Roundup: Looking Good, we mistakenly identified Robert Brent as the Chair of the Public Art Committee. He is a member of the committee.
Happy Birthday, Laura
Today is Laura’s birthday. We appreciate her dedication to reporting on local news in Sebastopol and West County and keeping everyone informed. That might be as good a reason as any for you to become a paid subscriber. Don’t you think that’s what Laura would wish for?
Happy Birthday, Laura! Thanks for your thoughtful and often timely writing. Your reporting and insights are valuable.
Happy Birthday, Laura! You are an absolute treasure in our community and I appreciate you so much! ❤️