In the cold of February, the women who live in the area surrounding Fairmount in Ephrata gather at the retirement community to create quilts. On Feb. 11, 14, and 15, a total of 192 quilters joined forces to work on 14 framed quilts. Over the three-day period, 11 quilts were completed and three were partly completed before being sent home with some of the quilters for finishing. The quilts will be sold at auction in the fall to benefit Fairmount residents in need.

Many of the quilts were queen size, and Carol Swailes, Fairmount public relations coordinator and a quilter herself, noted that size is the most common. "There was a great representation of several popular patterns," said Swailes, who mentioned Trip Around the World, Bargello, Log Cabin, and Kaleidoscope. "(There was) one unnamed quilt in reds and blues that has flying geese, four-patch, and stars included," she reported. "(There were also) several quilts with embroidered and cross-stitched patches." Many of the quilts featured embroidered patterns of flowers and birds. A hunting-themed quilt sported a photo of a family of bears on a background of woodland colors, including greens, browns, and light blues. One cream-colored quilt was decorated with appliqued hearts, flowers, and leaves in deep greens and reds. Colors ranged from bright reds and pinks to rich cranberries and navy to subdued pastels.

Quilting Days attracts many Fairmount residents and local families. Swailes noted that groups of sisters were gathered at several of the tables. The goal of Quilting Days is to create quilts to be sold at auction during Fairmount's annual chicken barbecue in the fall. During 2020, Fairmount streamlined its Sharing Fund benefit by holding chicken barbecue sales off-site and moving the annual auction online. In 2021, many of the activities associated with the event returned, but the fundraiser was held at New Covenant Mennonite Fellowship. In 2022, the auction remained at that location, and Swailes said that organizers were pleased with the move. "The new location is working out great," she said. "There is plenty of room and easy access from Fairmount."

The 2023 chicken barbecue, which traditionally includes a variety of children's activities, such as a candy drop, along with the chicken barbecue meals and auctions, will be held on Saturday, Sept. 9, at New Covenant.

All funds raised by the event benefit the Sharing Fund, which covers the cost of care for residents who have exhausted their financial resources. Fairmount budgets $2.8 million yearly for the fund.

Fairmount, a nonprofit retirement community founded in 1968, is located on two adjoining campuses in Ephrata. Readers who would like to know more about the organization may visit https://fairmounthomes.org.