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About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 6, 1996)
The Battalion lUESDAY August 6, 1996 GIE if ,f -Y 4 ' Jif if Jii II members of the Quilt Guild work on a [variety of projects for the community By James Francis The Battalion ■ Stew Milne, The Battalion Delores Rydell, a resident of College Station, stitches portions of a quilt for the Bryan-College Station Quilt ;Guild. The Guild meets every second Tuesday of the month to make quilts for a variety of causes. uilting has been a favorite pastime in the I lUnited States for years. At its inception, ^Q^many people saw quilting as a way to pass dowmfamily history. Someone would make a quilt for a newborn baby, the child would grow up, and then the quilt would be passed on for generations to come. Nowadays, quilting has broadened into more than just family heirlooms, and organizations across the country are keeping its spirit alive. Established in 1986, the Brazos Valley Quilt Guild offers more than just stitches and patches. From its meetings on the second Tuesday of every month to various programs and quilt shows, the Guild is in a continual state of scheduling. Beverly Alexander, president of the Quilt Guild, said she works to point the organization in the right direction and make sure things run smoothly. "There are a lot of committees that do a lot of the work,” she said. The Guild’s quilt education program involves trips to elementary schools to demonstrate how quilts are made, tell about the Guild, and have the school children help make blocks for quilts. Quilting Bees is a division where people get to know each other while working on either commu nity projects or simple group efforts. The Guild’s productions range from traditional to artistic to miniature designs — some creations can even be worn. Alexander said the Guild’s main purpose is to teach people about quilting. She said she hopes members gain fellowship and earn a chance to serve the community with service projects. “We’re a non-profit, educational charter,” she said, “and it (quilting) is an art form.” In serving the community, the Guild aids needy children and provides a wall hanging for every Habitat for Humanity home. Care Quilts is another program aimed at com munity children. Marsha Milford, co-chairperson of Care Quilts, said the program gives quilts to children when they arrive at Phoebe’s Home, Sheltering Arms or Child Protective Services — three safe-home envi ronments the organization works with. “The Care Quilts are more of a security-type quilt,” Milford said. She said last year, the Care Quilt program do nated about 130 quilts to various child services. Although the quilts have no general or changing theme, there is a commonality among them. "A lot of them are just scrap quilts and some are pre-printed tops we just add a backing and lining to,” Milford said. Alexander said the quilts, comes a feeling of as surance to the recipients. “It’s comforting to have something that’s theirs,” she said. Lucy Smith, a member of the Quilt Guild, is just one of many who has had a direct hand in making Care Quilts. Smith said the happiness a child gets from receiv ing one of the quilts is a great return to the maker. “There’s satisfaction in knowing that I’m help ing a child that never had something of their own,” she said. Smith said she has received a lot of feedback from parents of foster children who came to them bearing a Care Quilt. The parents have told stories of how their children never go anywhere without their quilts. “[It’s important] to let these children know they are loved by many people,” she said. The Quilt Guild has a display niche at the Bra zos Center where visitors can observe some of the organizational’s work. In 1997, the Guild will host a big show using all of the Brazos Center, but it will hold a smaller quilt exhibit in October. Summer dating doesn’t have to bum a hole in your pocket Options include Putt-Putt golf, picnics and the plethora of parks in the area o Editor f, (jRAPfffiX mes fowler, Bh e tenfold, Erica nor, lames Fran! i Cyesrly, Mid ’awlikowski, Dr .wendolyn SlrW am Day (lie Division olSW 647 talion. Forrampnv ;)569. Advertising iday. Fax: 845-2671 de ropy of The Bald <TlarReb)'VIS4,W , and spring sem# holidays andewr TX 77840. 8.M Universily, pch liars! )K NS [ON! By James Francis The Battalion F un in the sun is what everyone wants when the summertime rolls around. For some, this dream may not be real ized when they are thrown into the clenches of miniature golfs low prices and fun are just two fundamentals that draw people to the game. “I guess it’s the competition if you come as a couple,” she said. “It’s just a relaxed, family environment.” Where there is a family environment, people can usually expect low family rates. Phillips said the putt-putt establishment offers a package called Aggie Night, which is unlimited games for $10 a couple, every Thursday night. summer school. As for others, summer brings in times of hanging out with friends and going out with a special boyfriend or girlfriend. "To college students, it's the money, of course if you're creative, you don't have to pay for fun." Either way, individuals must consider one as pect that sometimes gets in the way of having a good time — cost. While looking for locations to enjoy the sum mer at low rates and beat the heat, some may find a mixture of indoor and outdoor recreation to suit different tastes. . Eloise Huerta, a general clerk for the Bryan Parks and Recreation Department, said people can find various activities for free such as Tangle- wood Park. "We have a pavilion that seats up to 80 people,” she said, "with a playground for the children and picnic tables with barbecue pits.” Other outlets for summer enjoyment at Tan- glewood Park include a volleyball center and tennis courts. Huerta said adults can also find just as much to do with their time in the park. “[They can] take their children out and picnic with different sports activities,” she said. Christy Phillips, a senior English major and employee of Putt-Putt Golf and Games, said — JIM GORDON senior civil engineering major Along with the package, each person gets 10 to kens (only good for the game room), a 16-ounce drink and a snack (chips, ice cream or a candy bar). Besides playing 18 holes of miniature golf on one of the two courses, customers have other op tions as well. “We have bumper boats, batting cages and a video arcade room," Phillips said. Phillips said even though many people feel putt-putt is only for kids, some college students also appreciate the fun. “It e really for people of all ages,” she said, "kind of a break from studying, stress and real life." One place real life and fun tend to mix together is in the workplace, depending on the type of work being done. In search of other summer activities at a rela tively low cost, sometimes students’ places of em ployment can be an outlet for recreation. Jim Gordon, a senior civil engineering major and employee of BCS Bicycles, said bicycling is just one of many outdoor summer festivities. “It allows you to go out and enjoy the out doors,” he said, “roll around Research Park, and things like that.” Wendy Hardeman, video manager at Hastings Books, Music and Video, said movies are a great way to have fun without the sun and still enjoy the low price of entertainment. “It’s an escape for a little while into romance, violence and adventure,” she said. Outside the work environment, people often separate their own lives and attempt to find leisure fitting their own ideas of summer fun. “We go swimming, we like to go bowling,” Hardeman said. “A lot of times, we just get to gether with friends and play board games.” Hardeman said aside from the entertainment, sometimes the simple fact that another person is near is all that is needed. “Occasionally, we’ll go out to the parks or lakes, walk around and enjoy each other’s compa ny,” she said. Gordon said, he agrees with Hardeman that it is a good idea to alternate between outdoor and indoor activities. “We go for bike rides, walks in the park,” Gor don said, “and sometimes catch a movie at the dollar flick.” Gordon said another idea is to pick up a copy of ETC. Magazine, which lists events such as plays presented at Wolf Pen Amphitheater. Even with planned outings, the decision to pay lots of money or have fun is always tough. "To college students, it’s the money,” Gordon said, “of course if you're creative, you don’t have to pay for fun.” Hardeman said, other than visiting parks for the use of their tennis courts, she agrees that money sometimes rules the situation. “It’s pretty much a factor in whatever you do,” she said. “You try to have fun with as little money as possible.” Gwendolyn Struve, The Battalion Caitlyn Gordon, a resident of Franklin, plays minia ture golf with her family at Putt Putt Golf Monday. The Battalion CLASSIFIEDS WISE MOVE To place an ad, phone 845-0569 Study Abro/\d Sprinjc:. W H'.ll ION! FiORENIT'IMO Improvisational Comedy Returning to save the world from destruction! AFtTS 3SO: Arts &nct CtvWx&Uon SO Cl 20$; Introduction tx> Sociology SOd 230; CUa&tsicaf Sodaf Theory BCCn 320: Bcohomic Ciev&lopmetnt of Europe* Saturday, Aug. 10 Dixie Theater in downtown Bryan 10 p.m. $5 at the door