This year Bradford and Surrounding Counties QOV Chapter will hold their National Sew Day gathering on Friday, February 2nd at the American Legion Post 42 in Towanda from 10am-3pm. The Legion is located at 912 Main St., Towanda PA. Members and volunteers will gather to make blocks and finish kits for Quilts of Valor to award to our local veterans throughout the year. Lunch will be provided. Anyone planning to attend should sign up with Carol Ullo. Anyone needing additional information should contact Carol at cullo@att.net.
Photos from our last sew day in November, 2023 (click on any photo to view them full size as a slideshow):
On November 24, Veteran Robert Sobolewski received a Quilt of Valor at his home with family and friends in attendance. Sobolewski served in the US Army from 1965 to 1980 during the Cold War period and in Vietnam. His three daughters were wearing t-shirts that said “Proud Daughter of a Vietnam Veteran. Some people never meet their heroes. I was blessed to be raised by mine.” One of his daughters, Becky Epler and her husband Scott are also US Army Gulf War Veterans.
Robert Sobolewski with his daughters (left) and wrapped in his QOV with the newest member of the family (right).
After the award ceremony, Robert shared a few words about his experiences and about the thousands of his comrades who never returned home. As we honor our veterans, we all give thanks for their safe return home.
Mike Comerski Awarded QOV
Mike Comerski received a QOV from Bradford County QOV Chapter member Dawn Zimmerman. Comerski actually served his country in two different branches of the armed services. He served in the Army from 1986-1999 and later joined the Marine Corps where he served in various areas of the world including Panama and the Gulf War.
Veteran Mike Comerski receives QOV. Left photo from Left to Right. Ty Zimmerman, Mike Comerski , Dianne Comerski , Dawn Zimmerman Quilt of Valor Representative and friend of the family.
In January of 2023, Christine Davis, Family Consumer Science Teacher at Athens Middle School contacted us about the Split Star block. She had seen it featured on the QOVF website as the 2023 Block of the Year and wanted to know if her students could make them. Despite looking difficult, it is a relatively easy block to make. Patti S and Lou T. cut out and put together individual block kits. Davis visited BCQOV 2023 Sew Day in February, got the tutorial, and picked up block kits for her students, who completed them during the semester. Chapter member Joan W pieced them together, Dawn Z quilted the quilt and Eileen H did the binding. Joan also made an embroidered tag with each of the students’ names on it.
On November 9, Carol U and Joan W awarded the quilt to Carl Richard Maynard, a proud Athens HS 1955 graduate and a 29 year US Army Veteran. Maynard’s son Mark teaches at the school and when he heard the kids were making the quilt and were looking for a local recipient, he suggested that it be given to his father. Mark had already requested a QOV for his father who lives in the Harrisburg Area. Carol contacted that chapter and had the award reassigned to Bradford County Quilts of Valor.
The day before Veteran’s Day, the Athens Middle School Choir sang patriotic songs and the entire student body attended the assembly to award the quilt. The students who made the quilt wrapped Mr. Maynard in his quilt and he remarked that ”It was the nicest thing that had ever happened to him”
Veteran Carl Richard Maynard being wrapped in his Quilt of Valor.
Talking about sewing the blocks, the students said that it was more difficult than the pillowcase they made. One young man said that the sewing wasn’t bad, but the hardest thing was staying on the ¼ line and having to use that ripper if wasn’t right.
BCQOV is looking forward to another collaboration with the Athens students.
Mr. Raymond with his family, Athens Middle School Students, and teacher Christine Davis.
Bradford County Quilts of Valor 