Make a Quilt with Life’s Scraps [PHIL-OSOPHY]

Do you remember one of the "Fearsome Four" on the L.A.Rams, Rosey Grier? Other than football, his other signature trademark was his passion for crochet, needlepoint and knitting.

He came to mind today as I'm preparing to welcome Donna L. Peirce (pronounced Purse) to the Thursday edition of The Phil Paleologos Show to talk about the Shining Tides Quilt Guild that's giving 56 local veterans handmade quilts as a token of appreciation for their service.

I've always been fascinated by quilting, stitching together two layers of fabric between padding. Quilting is as old as the ancient Egyptians. When our country was young, most families had little time for artistic quilting. Money was scarce so women had to become creative in their use of materials on hand to keep their families warm during the cold seasons. Nothing was thrown away. When blankets or clothes became worn, they were patched with other blankets.

Today, there is a tireless guild of about 60 local quilters who make up the pizazzy Shining Tides Quilt Guild, formed in 1991, as a charitable club. On Sunday, November 3 at 2 p.m., they will be honoring about 56 area veterans at the Poirier Post VFW on Appleton Street with a handmade quilt in the colors of red, white and blue. As a way to say thank you for their service, each beautiful quilt was designed by a member of the quilt guild.

The history of quilts and how important they became in early America, is an interesting internet search. Join Donna L. Peirce and me Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m. on 1420 WBSM for a colloquial talk about quilting on the SouthCoast.

Phil Paleologos is the host of The Phil Paleologos Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Contact him at phil@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @PhilPaleologos. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.