History of the Guild "Our purpose is to promote a full appreciation of quilts and quilting through sharing, teaching, and fellowship." Centre Pieces is a chapter of the National Quilting Association and currently has over 200 members.          The idea for the guild began prior to the first meeting, when Gloria Braun contacted Jean Smith and Dorothy Mihelic, and they talked about the idea and possibility of forming a local quilt group. As they drew in other interested friends, more formal meetings occurred and groundwork was laid for the future Centre Pieces Quilt Guild.          On April 20, 1983, Cindy Houlch, Cindy McNab, Jody Crust, Dorothy Mihelic, and Jean Smith (NQA member) met at the home of Goria Braun (NQA Member) for the purpose of forming a National Quilting Association Chapter in the Central Pennsylvania area. Violett MacMillan, another area NQA member, was unable to attend. Informal discussions developed what each expected to find in a quilting group; moral support, exchange of ideas, educational tours, block exchanges, and quilt shows were some of the hopes for the future of the group. Gloria suggested the name, Centre Pieces, and the others agreed unanimously.          Other meetings followed and plans were made to have a general meeting of all members four times a year, with smaller special interest groups meeting more frequently as desired. Dues were set at $3.00 for the Centre Pieces Chapter and $7.00 for NQA membership. A questionnaire was prepared to be presented to each quilter attending the initial meeting scheduled for September 1983. Information was presented to area newspapers and radio stations inviting area quilters to attend.          The first meeting of the future Centre Pieces Chapter was held September 18, 1983, at the Zion Lutheran Church in Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, with Dorothy Mihelic serving as Chairwoman. She presented the proposed goals of the new quilt organization and each one attending was given the questionnaire to indicate her special interests.          By January's scheduled meeting Dorothy Mihelic had listed each sub-group and Chairwomen were named. These people met briefly and dates for meetings were set. A Show and Tell Program followed.          All NQA members present remained afterwards and elected the following officers:                   Diane McKinnon - President                   Gloria Braun - Vice President                   Jean Smith - Secretary                   Louise Fox - Treasurer          Dorothy Mihelic volunteered to serve as Girl Friday - a much needed office.          On February 20, 1984, formal petition was made to the National Quilting Association to form a chapter known as Centre Pieces. This request was granted and the charter for Centre Pieces Chapter #238 arrived.          April's meeting featured the "Hurrah for Holidays" Quilt from a contest sponsored by the Fairfield Processing Company and slides of clothing featured in the style show at the 1983 Winter Quilt Market in Houston, Texas.          July's meeting proved quilters are also good cooks. The Chapter met at the home LaVonne Weater in Centre Hall for a pot luck picnic.          September 1984 found Centre PIeces with 48 members, of whom 32 were NQA members. Over the previous year special interest groups were formed. Some remain, others have merged or split off as members found found what served their needs best. Activities included quilting, piecing squares, exchanging blocks, designing medalion quilts, planning borders, demonstrating at the Central Pennslyvania Festival of the Arts and Ag Progress Days, and patching clothing.          For current information about Centre Pieces Quilt Guild visit About Us. Questions or problems with this page should be sent to: Colleen Serencsits Back to menu