By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
EDWARDSBURG -- Admitting they talk while they work, and even gossip a little, the sewers who gather each Monday morning at the Edwardsburg Presbyterian Church enjoy gathering around a frame to produce a quilt, which the church raffles off at its annual salad luncheon.
Lost pins are inevitable, and so is the relaxed feeling which comes from seeing pieces of cloth became the centerpiece of a bedroom. Another project they are completing are banners which will hang in the church.
The ladies are already working on next year's quilt, which has a Michigan lighthouse theme and is blue and white, so as to never be caught behind.
The 2004 "Lavender and Lace" queen-sized quilt, edged in prairie points, with matching pillows, is already to go to some lucky person's home.
Tickets for $7 for the 33nd annual Salad Smorgasbord and Style Show are sold quickly, with the limit set at 400. Sales will begin after services Sunday, Feb. 29, in the church social room.
Held in the Edwardsburg High School at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, March 18, the evening includes fashioned modeled by Miss Edwardsburg 2004 Jessica Nicole Neagu and her court from The Marshall Shoppe in Dowagiac, chaired by Judy Boepple.
The women are famous for their hot chicken salad and through the years the event grew enough to move from the American Legion Hall. In 1971, the first year, about 100 attended. The men in the congregation serve as waiters.
Area merchants are generous in donating merchandise which are raffled off during the dinner as door prizes.
Margaret Martin is only in her third year of helping, as compared to some who remember most of the past 33.
Ticket chairman is Tanda Stiffler, who can be reached at 269-663-2005. You do not need to be present to win the quilt, though usually the winner attends the event.
The money received during the church's only fund raiser, is donated to local charities and the food pantry.
Those in terested in purchasing a chance to win this year's quilt can call (269) 663-2005.