SCTMQG Meeting Notes, Nov. 15, 2025
SCTMQG Meeting Notes, Nov. 15, 2025 – Version 2 with Program’s Corrections
28 in attendance (membership roster shows 44).
Nominating Committee
• Proposed Board Roster for 2026 was presented by Robin and Toni.
o President, Kate Lemmers
o VP, Tait Michael
o Treasurer, Nancy Riggs
o Secretary, Leslie Morgan
• We will vote whether to approve the slate at the December Meeting.
Charity Tally for 2025:
• 15 quits to Homes for Homeless
• 7 quilts to victims of California Fires
• 27 quilts to Columbus House.
• Lots of pillowcases especially for hospitalized children. Keep ‘em coming.
Programs
Please, please fill out the Programs Survey; it is necessary feedback to assure continued
desired programs.
Errata Correction: 2026 Programs Committee: Sue, Lin, and Dawn comprise the Programs’
team.
Tait, Sue and Lin who have inspired us with learning, challenges and fun, will step down.
2026 Committee includes Terrie, Karen, Jen, Kate, and Sherry. Current group meets
monthly.
• Please bring suitable donations for Holiday Party prizes
• December Meeting Holiday Party Potluck, make a pouch to exchange for Secret Santa
• Jan ‘26 Zoom class 10-4 (with lunch break) – improv pieced letters taught by Sarah Goer.
Attendance restricted to 15.
• Sleep away Retreat May 14-17, 2026 at the Incarnation Center in Deep River (same as
last year); $500 pp includes room & board, shared bathroom, free sew, opportunity for
beautiful hikes/walks. Attendance also restricted to 15.
• 2026 Challenge teaser – ripped fabric
AQS Juried Show the weekend April 8-11, 2026 in Hartford. The deadline for submission is now
past. https://www.americanquilter.com/quiltweek/aqs-quilt-contests/
People who attended previously note that AQS members get preference for classes which sell
out all but immediately. Attending lectures is highly recommended as an alternative. Last
year’s keynote by Hillary Goodwin (entropyalwayswins.com), ER Doc, was phenomenal.
Opportunities
Fairfield University - Social Justice Quilts Project & Give Me Life, CPA Prison Arts Program, Sept 12
– Dec 13 in museum’s Walsh Gallery in Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.
Fairfield.edu/museum. Maureen Kelleher, co-founder of the Social Justice Collaboration Quilts
Project, will give an online gallery talk on her group's work, Nov 12, 5pm
Charity – Columbus House is the focus for Guild charity work along with on-going colorful
pillowcases for hospitalized children.
At the meeting, Sheree DiMario of Columbus House in New Haven shared information about
their programs and answered questions. She is Volunteer Coordinator and was formerly in
Development. While Columbus House provides emergency supportive housing, the real goal is
to find permanent housing.
• About 26% are physically disabled or have addiction or mental health issues. About 16%
are veterans.
• Many have jobs or take classes. Currently there is only enough funding for staff at night.
• There are 100 regular beds, 80 emergency beds and 20 medical respite beds. The latter
has been found to cut down on repeat visits to the ER.
• Schedule:
o Doors open at 4pm for intake with dinner is available at 5pm. In between, people
may meet with their case manager 1:1, may hang out in the community room,
have a snack, have coffee. Coffee is always available.
o Lights out at 10pm.
o 6:30 am is time to get up with discharge at 7:30am.
• Every 2 weeks there is a “house meeting” with staff and the group.
• Case managers are 1:1.
• There are AA meetings, volunteer karaoke, and bingo.
• Funding comes from a number of pots: HUD, state & national, social security. The
individual is required to pay 30% of their income.
Having something personal, such as the quilts we donate, is very moving and something for
which they are responsible. As they transition into housing, they take it with them. Currently,
about 300 people or families are housed each year. The biggest barrier is the lack of affordable
housing.
Once permanent housing is found, they need everything. Welcome kits include some basics for
the bathroom, kitchen, bedrooms. The Columbus House website has lists for “Welcome Baskets”
to supply these needs. Please consider donating a basket or contributing to one.
Preparations for the Guild Quilt Show “Building Bridges through Storytelling” in Westport Dec 19,
2025 through Mar 17, 2026 is moving along. The Westport Library has the information on each
quilt and has designed the layout.
• Reflecting the theme, SCtMQG quilts will be in the Sheffer Gallery. Reception and artists
talk Thursday, January 15, from 6-8pm.
• Gees Bend quilts trace the legacy of quilting in Gees Bend, AL through descendants.
Expert Tangular Irby will give a talk at a reception on Saturday January 31, from 1 to 3pm.
• Some quilts will be available for sale from 12-5 on Saturday as well.
• The collaborative quilt between the two groups will be in the Jesup Gallery. It is donated
to the library’s permanent collection.