The second hanging of quilts took place exactly a month after the first were unveiled. However, this month there were five quilt squares to go up. On Wednesday May 11, members of the community began gathering shortly before 1:00 PM at the Lavonia United Methodist church, Education Building. It was time to unveil the first 8 X 8 square on the Franklin county Trail – “The Eye of God” or sometimes called “God’s Eye.”
It was a scorching hot day and everyone was searching for a spot under a shade tree. Except – the hanging team of Paul Withers and Marty Holmes. These two gentlemen had been by earlier in the week and make preparation for today’s hanging. For this 8×8 square the guys had built a frame on which to mount the square. This would give the added support need for the weight. And, they had installed scaffolding on which to stand for hanging. They had everything prepared and going up took hardly anytime while on lookers stood in the hot sun.
Members of the church; including, Pastor Randall Massengill, his wife Mary, and son Timothy, were watching as the huge quilt square took its place over the entrance to the Alpha Center – a pre-school program for 2, 3, and 4 year olds. The pattern was chosen as a reminder that God is always watching over ALL His children, no matter what age they are.
As the second piece went up – you could hear the WOW from the audience! It is magnificent – and the colors representing the “Eye” of God really pop!
After Paul and Marty had the quilt square secured, Members of the Church were asked to come forward for a Sponsor picture.
Very seldom do I get in front of a camera, but this was a special occasion ~ I handed my camera off to another and joined members of our church for the picture. Yes, that’s me (Judy) on the top step – black jeans and red top!
Okay snap that picture fast – it’s hot out here and we have four more to go. If I didn’t hear those words aloud, facial expressions said it without sound!
As we finished the LUMC, we crossed the railroad to the back of the Lavonia Presbyterian Church for the hanging of their Quilt Square. Now, more folks joined the group – members from the Presbyterian Church were in attendance for the hanging.
Leading the walkers were Pastor Mickey Rice, and more volunteers from the Quilt Trail Teams!
This one was not nearly as high off the ground, so we were able to have a picture of the unveiling on the ground before Marty and Paul climbed the scaffolding.
Marty had built a frame for this square due to the church being of significant age.
In only a few minutes this one was up and we were ready to drive to our next location – the Cemetery!
The third square is the pattern “Seven Sisters” and was sponsored by Mrs. Margaret Ayers, the Lavonia historic Preservation Commission and Cemetery Commission. It was chosen to represent the first 7 states that seceded from the Union and which would later become members of the Confederate States of America. And, in honor of 30 Confederate Veterans who are buried in Burgess Cemetery.
The Quilt Square is located on a sign post, just as one enters the Cemetery Gates. Members from the sponsoring agencies were there as Mrs. Margaret does the unveiling.
Another big WOW could be heard from those observing the unveiling.
Paul and Marty cement the post in the ground as City Inspector & Planner and Cemetery Commission Member Randy Dove looks on.
With the sign post secure, it was time to move to the Lavonia Cultural Center for the unveiling of the fourth square of the day!
This, too, is a Quilt Square on a sign post ~ but, a unique one in that it has FOUR patterns on a 4 x 4 board. The four patterns represent functions of the almost 50 year old facility _ The Lavonia Cultural Center.
The facility was opened in 1962 as a National Guard Armory and was used for such until early in 2000. The armory was named in honor of then Georgia Governor Ernest Vandiver, a resident of Lavonia.
After the Georgia National Guard vacated the building, it was given to the City of Lavonia. In 2004, under the direction of the Lavonia Downtown Development Authority it was turned into a Cultural Center. Later, in 2008 it once again had a NEW major focus – although it is still the Cultural Center it now houses a professional theatre ~with professional lighting, air conditioning and sound systems. Each year a major production, called Land of Spirit – Franklin County’s Folk Life Play – comes alive with real, true life stories from residents of Franklin and other nearby counties.
The first play held in 2008 was called “The Last Hard Times.”
Left to right: Artist Al Johansen who painted the square; Genny Cole, Director of the Downtown Development Authority who sponsored the quilt square; Paul Withers, volunteer and chair of Hanging Team; Marty Holmes, Volunteer Hanger; Logan Mathis, DDA Member; Lionel Machad , Chair of Design & Paint Team and the one who laid these patterns out on the board; and, Al Goldsmith, President of the Lavonia Chamber of Commerce.
This is the beautiful and unique design – Top left is “Soldier Boy” which represents the National Guard Unit; Top right is “State of Georgia” representing the late Governor Ernest Vandiver for whom the armory was named; Bottom Left, is “Circle of Life” representing life stories as told through folk life plays called Land of Spirit; and, fourth is the pattern “The Last Hard Times” which was the first Land of Spirit production in 2008.
And, in honor of the opening of the Franklin County Quilt Trail, this year’s production is called The Secret Quilt and has lots of real, true life stories related to quilting.
After the unveiling and pictures, Paul and Marty cement this one into the ground. This one is so colorful and unique that it really catches the eye!
When you come on the trail, look for this building – the Lavonia Cultural Center. . .Home to Land of Spirit!
This quilt, constructed in 2008, greets visitors as they enter the Land of Spirit Theatre Lobby! And, each year a quilted banner is designed and made by Joyce Loehr, with assistance from Husband Clay, and the banners hang in the lobby, as well.
Banner from 2008 production The Last Hard Times –
We’re still not finished folks – one last design to hang on this beautiful HOT afternoon!
The last place on our agenda this afternoon is just down the street from the Cultural Center and it’s Meadows Montessori Academy, which opened in Lavonia in 2008 but moved to this location in 2011 as they outgrew their original facility.
The pattern chosen is called “Mother’s Delight” – the reason – all children who attend school here at the delight of their Mother and their teacher.
To help unveil this one, the older class of students who were not napping at this time were invited to come out and assist. We had arrived shortly after lunch and most were fast asleep.
Chamber President Al Goldsmith gave the children a helping hand for the unveiling!
Left is President Al Goldsmith, Lionel Machad who lays out the pattern, and Al Johansen who painted “Mother’s Delight” -
Mrs. Marjory Morris, Sponsor and Owner, is on the right is shown with Paul & Marty, a Montessori Teacher and some of the children!
Well, this was the final Quilt Square to hang today – other are under construction and the next hanging is tentatively set for June 15 at 10:00 AM – no more afternoon hangings in the good old summer time here in the South! Yes, we know this date is about half way through Land of Spirit performances for 2011 but it’s about as fast as the painters can get things ready ~ so if you miss a few this year you’ll just have to plan ahead and visit with us later in the year or return for Land of Spirit 2012!
Thanks for ‘hanging’ around for this long post, but it took awhile to hang these quilts and to tell you the stories behind each one – we hope it will inspire you to come take the tour ~ you’ll be glad you did!
Hope to see you soon and if you should see me while touring, be sure and honk the horn and give me a wave – Better yet, just stop me and say hello! Judy
Or, maybe I should say the Quilt will be spread out and waiting for you! 
immediately became interested. She spent the next day and night searching the web and enjoying various web and blog sites set up by communities across the United States – communities just like hers. Small, rural community but interested in art and tourism. What a perfect match! 
