Planning for Germans from Russia in Casper
The April 2008 meeting of the Planning Committee in Casper, Wyoming, was likely the last comprehensive gathering prior to the convention this summer.
These sessions have had full agendas, and many members came great distances to contribute their time and energy to helping make the Casper convention a success.
Some 22 volunteer committee members attended this meeting.
As you have occasion to visit with them, you may want to let them know you appreciate their good work!Muriel Kraus (AHSGR)of Riverton, Wyoming again displayed her quilt, which is being donated for a convention drawing. It is one of several items that are being contributed to support AHSGR and GRHS activities.
Debbie Eberle (GRHS) is also donating a quilt for the convention.
We hope to add photographs of other items for which there will be drawings -- and others that will be awarded as door prizes.A beautiful cotton quilt with polyester batting and extraordinary embroidery will be donated for raffle at the International Convention of Germans from Russia next summer in Casper. Muriel Kraus of Riverton, Wyoming, made the quilt and has named it Faith of Our Fathers -- Iron Crosses. This is not the first time Muriel's talents have benefitted Germans from Russia. When AHSGR met in Casper in 1999, she made two quilts for the gathering. After learning that the joint convention of GRHS and AHSGR would be held in Casper next July, she thought about making another quilt and "decided that it could be done again."
This is Muriel Kraus (at right) last September at a convention planning meeting in Casper. She's visiting with Dick Kraus of Massachusetts -- believed to be a distant cousin of Muriel's husband, Bob.
Her quilt design was inspired by photographs of iron crosses in Kansas cemeteries, taken by Laurin Leonhardt. He has also made some small jewelry with these designs.
According to Muriel, Laurin designed all of the iron crosses used for the quilt on his computer, using his own photographs and some that he found on the internet. They've been modified somewhat to be able to adapt them for fabric. The patterns have been shared with many people, including Jeanne Rupp of Hays, Kansas, whose tea towels will also be raffled in Casper.There are many German-Russians across Wyoming, and we expect to see many of them in Casper next summer.
Convention co-chair Patti Sellenrick (left) was delighted to see Evelyn Lovell of Riverton at our September planning meeting in Casper.
Muriel Kraus says "if it weren't for Evelyn Lovell, this (quilt) probably would not have happened. Evelyn is the inspiration for Germans from Russia in our area. Both Muriel and Evelyn live in Riverton.The pattern for the quilt came from a book Pink Lemonade by Linda Johnson and was named "Day and Night" in the book. Muriel says, "It was appropriate because it had 12 plain blocks in it that we could use to embroidery the iron crosses on. This, of course, is the main attraction of the quilt. You may click on the photograph to see a larger image. Alma (Sauer) Woodard, Kathy Rein, and I embroidered the crosses. It has applique roses in the center, also a vine running about the outer edge with roses. It has 36 nine-patch blocks in assorted light floral prints of pink, red and peach. The blocks are set on point. It is approximately 78" square, with a scalloped edge. It has been beautifully machine quilted by Floy at the "Back Door Quilter" in Lander. In addition to inspiration from Evelyn Lovell, Muriel acknowledged help from Laurin and Cindy Leonhardt, Janet Bath, Alma Woodard and Kathy Rein. Return to G-R Blog or continue in this gallery.
The 2008 Convnetion Planning Committee met in Casper September 21-22, 2007. These three photo gallery pages capture a few candid moments of the planning sessions.
After an initial gathering on Friday evening, committee members started to work in earnest on Saturday morning. We met with Stephanie and Sven from the Parkway Plaza Hotel.
Click on any of these photographs to see a larger image.Following our September 2007 planning meetings in Casper, Mother Nature provided a marvelous sunrise. Click on photo for a larger image. Return to G-R Blog.