Gather the threads of your life and stitch them into joy! Jody Houghton
Twice a month, the Country Piecemakers Guild meets at the Randolph Community Center to learn new ways of intertwining fabric. This month, seven members donated patriotic-themed quilts to veterans. Forty hand-made dresses are sent each month to Africa. They also donate to Children’s Hospital, Ravenna University Hospital and Blessings of Kent. Since sex trafficking is a problem in Ohio, the Country Piecemakers are stitching quilts for Safe Harbor, a shelter for victims of sex trafficking. Having a warm quilt enveloping these traumatized girls is a reminder that there are those who care and better times can be.
Many years ago, an artist from our county designed a quilt that incorporated her favorite nature scenes. Gazing upon this quilt filled one with awe and wonder. After finishing this masterpiece, she had repeated dreams urging her to send the quilt to the president. The next month, she invited groups to fill the quilt with prayers of love and peace. Several months after she sent the quilt, the president began taking short and sometimes extended trips into nature. A softening of his heart and a more peaceful demeanor began to emerge. Was this a coincidence or a demonstration of the healing power of prayer?Research studies have shown that intercessory prayer can enhance the immune system and lessen anxiety.
“When we shop locally, we’re not just supporting a business, we’re investing in the future of our community.” Leonardo DiCaprio
After visiting over 30 quilt shops, several of my high school classmates ventured to Randolph to see the Pomegranate Place at 499 state Route 44. All of these classmates said the Pomegranate Place is now their favorite quilt store due to the variety of unique fabrics and exemplary customer service. The store offers sewing/quilting classes, kits, patterns, sampler quilts and much more. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Black Friday. During the Christmas open house from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 7, sample quilts, patterns, books and homemade items will be 30% off, and stained-glass items will be 20% off.
Randolph Home Furnishings at 3991 Waterloo Rd. is a family-owned store that has a vast array of sofas, chairs, lamps, mattresses, end tables and more. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Randolph Sarchione Chevy and Sarchione Ford on State Route 44 have special offers for military personnel, veterans, first responders, educators, school employees and health care professionals. The store hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.
ELEGANT ILLUSIONS CHRISTMAS LIGHTS DRIVE-THRU EVENT
From Nov. 21 to Dec. 29, Elegant Lighting will be bedazzling the Randolph County Fairgrounds at 4215 Fairgrounds Rd. with a drive-through Christmas lighting event. Hours are 6 to 9 p.m. Thursdays and 6 to 10 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Cost is $20 per car, $40 per limo and $50 for a tour bus. Please dress warmly so you can stroll through Santa’s workshop, visit the Grinch and sit on the photo-op benches.
RANDOLPH LIBRARY EVENTS:
– Nov. 21, 3-4 p.m.: Thanksgiving party for tweens/kids
– Dec. 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.: Randolph True Crime Club. This month will be discussing the Osage Murders
– Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-noon: Winter Storytime
– Dec. 5, 4-6 p.m.: Toy Bingo for tweens/kids
– Dec. 6, 4-5 p.m.: Tech help from teens
– Dec. 10, 5:30-7 p.m.: Randolph Book Club. Copies of the book “The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie” are available at the circulation desk
– Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-noon: Winter Storytime
– Dec. 12, 1-2 p.m.: Homeschool Group
– Dec. 12, 4-5 p.m.: Teen Book Group. Talk about a book, comic or graphic novel you enjoyed reading
– Dec. 13, 3-4 p.m.: Mrs. Claus will be visiting
– Dec. 16, 4-5 p.m.: Lego free build for kids/tweens
– Dec. 17, 4-5:30 p.m.: Bingo for adults
– Dec. 18, 11 a.m.-noon: Winter Storytime
– Dec. 18, 4-5 p.m.: Poetry Club for kids/tweens
– Dec. 19, 3-4 p.m.: Science of Santa’s sleigh for kids/tweens. Use your knowledge of robotics and engineering to find out what drives Santa’s sleigh
RANDOLPH ORGANIZATIONS:
– The Friends of the Library will meet at 6 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Randolph Community Center to sort books.
– The Randolph Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. Dec. 19 at Randolph Town Hall. Topic is the history of the Christmas tree.
– Tops meets from 5 to 6 p.m. Monday at Randolph Methodist Church at 4098 Waterloo Rd.
I continue to be amazed at the compassion and kindness within our community. Over 60 volunteers help with the RSA food shelf. Those wanting to receive food shelf assistance must live in Randolph, Suffield or Atwater and meet the same financial qualifications as for WIC or Medicaid. To schedule an appointment, call the food shelf at 330-628-1801. A volunteer will call back at a different number. Deadline to request a Christmas basket is Dec. 6, and the deadline for registering for Christmas gifts is Dec. 2. The need for these services has been growing. There is a fireman’s boot at Bob’s Pizza and Duma Meats where you can donate cash for the food shelf. When dropping off recyclables by Moyer Fields, please sort out your beer/pop cans and place these in the appropriate container since all money collected from these cans supports the food shelf. The RSA food shelf is open from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
After a scrumptious holiday dinner, I asked the chef, “How do you manage to cook such tasty food?” She replied, “I always add a secret ingredient: love.” Since then, I often add her secret ingredient and have experimented with adding other ingredients such as gratitude, peace, joy and laughter while cooking. I’m not sure if it helps the food taste better, but after focusing on positive attributes, I’m a lot happier during family dinners!
May all of you have a joyous and love-filled Thanksgiving!
And remember:
Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Native American Proverb
Please contact Sandy Engle at 330-569-4801 or at [email protected] with news or events you would like published. Thanks!
