GEORGETOWN

To prepare for the 102nd Georgetown Working League Fair and Luncheon on Aug. 8, members of the league have designed and hand-stitched this year’s coveted art quilt to raffle off at the fair, a tradition that has continued since 1977.

“Autumn in Georgetown,” this year’s art quilt, depicts popular landmarks in the Georgetown community, such as a lighthouse, the town’s local church, the home of Billie Todd and Five Islands Wharf. Each intricate detail of the quilt only emphasizes the hard work that went into its creation — a project that lasted from September until May.

“We’re brought together by a love of quilting and a very deep commitment to this community,” said Leona Dufour, president of the league. “It’s an opportunity to feel the effects of your hard work.”

In addition to the GWL meetings that take place on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, a sub-group of GWL quilters meet every Monday at the Georgetown Community Center.

“It’s a wonderful way to stay in touch with people and make new friends. There’s a great community feel among us and a great sense of purpose — doing something that matters,” said Diane Paterson.

However, all local residents and visitors, not just limited to league members or quilters, are invited to partake in this community activity.

Jeanne Funk-Gedies of Arlington, Massachusetts, has been a part of the GWL quilters every summer for the past 20 years, and comes for the sense of community. “It’s always a part of (my) summer,” she said.

“There’s a caring that goes beyond just the meetings,” said member Sheila McCandless. “There’s checking in on people, being in touch, keeping up with folks’ health and all that so we know what’s going on — (we’re) sort of a full service group.”

In addition to the friendship and fellowship, helping the community is their main drive, as money raised through the raffle and the fair will be donated to local organizations and groups in the community.

“Our goal is to raise money for scholarships for students, plus we give some money to town services, like fire and ambulance, the community center, the local library and the school,” said McCandless.

League donations

According to Betsy Cook, the raffle alone makes about $6,000, while the league donates an average of $16,000 to $17,000 every year to these organizations.

“That’s the bottom line motive, the other things are just gravy, the fact that we have so much fun and just a good time,” said Mary Swain, who has been a league member for 20 years.

The winning raffle ticket will be drawn at the end of the August fair, an event that is jam packed with a variety of activities, including a “White Elephant” sale, craft and jewelry booths, baked goods, a locally served luncheon and other fun activities for children and adults alike.

Raffle tickets for the art quilt are on sale for $1 each or $5 for seven. Tickets are available at the Winter Street Center, Five Islands Wharf, the Georgetown Volunteer

Fire Department Auction, Five Islands Station and the Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop in Bath.

To order raffle tickets, or for more information about the league, visit georgetownworkingleague.org.

RAFFLE TICKETS for the art quilt are on sale for $1 each or $5 for seven. Tickets are available at the Winter Street Center, Five Islands Wharf, the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Department Auction, Five Islands Station and the Mariner’s Compass Quilt Shop in Bath.