Written by Annie Warner Donnelly
Hello Everyone. I wonder if we shared a smile as we passed each other at the annual Simcoe County Quilt, Rug & Artisan Fair held at the Simcoe County Museum September 18-20. Presented by area Quilt Guilds, it was unmatched as fabrics of every shape and colour joined in a kaleidoscope of detailed pattens held together by intricate stitches. It was a feast for the eyes!
Booths filled with related products were inside and out. Hands on demonstrations enticed many to try something new. For those who looked for a freshly made snack or a drink, the Friends of the Museum food truck was nearby.
I watched as children sat at a potter’s wheel spinning clay into small bowls that might hold a treasure when the clay dried; as they took turns spinning a wheel that quickly turned jute and coloured yarn into a serviceable piece of rope.
I stopped to speak with a young man carrying a small girl probably about two-years-old. His wife had turned the corner as she followed their son who had sprinted ahead, as young boys often do when presented with so many interesting things to see. The man and child were standing beside the large replica of a multi-sailed ship resting in a glass case. I said hello to the little girl, pointed to the ship and encouraged her to say the word, “boat”. She was shy, the way children can be when they meet strangers. As I walked away, I suddenly heard a small voice saying, “Boat, boat”. I looked back and sure enough it was the little girl. Just learning to talk, she learned a new word at the Museum that day. Her Dad and I smiled at each other as I waved goodbye. After the Fair, just like that little girl, we all had new stories to tell.
One of the best things about the Museum is its experienced staff and volunteers. They welcome us into history through artifacts that mean something to us. Their smiling faces and quick offers of assistance make it an enjoyable place to spend time. I look forward to my next visit!