Spirit of the Desert Gourd Club – February 2015

Christmas ornaments made from gourds. Photographs taken by Joan Borkovec.

Christmas ornaments made from gourds. Photographs taken by Joan Borkovec.

Nancy Zier

On Thursday, January 15 new officers for the year 2015 were presented to members; President Vicki McKenna; Vice-Presisdent Lorraine Longpre; Treasurer Carol Reese; Secretary Phyllis Mills; Editor Nancy Zier; Historian Joan Berkovec; and Events Coordinator Terri Pate.

Many members worked diligently to present a large number of gourds for display and sale at the Wuertz Gourd Farm Festival held east of Casa Grande on February 6-8 (Friday through Sunday). A most beautiful gourd “quilt” for Spirit of the Desert Gourd Club was completed in time to display at the festival in addition to a second “quilt” offered for sale. Many of our members prepared the three inch by three inch shards that comprised the quilt and it certainly is a reflection of the love for the craft. The festival is attended by many thousands of visitors.

Many of our club members coordinated efforts to prepare a ‘travelling gourd’ featuring a southwest theme for the festival which appeared to be quite a labor of love and will be very beautiful. Thanks very much to those who participated.

A demonstration of a lightweight air-dry clay product that can be used for making facial features on people or animal gourds will be presented by Joanne Miles. This particular clay can also be utilized on masks. Sounds like a demo not to miss!

For information about our club contact Vicki McKenna at 480-802-1632 or Shirley Nesbitt at 480-247-6102.