I have had an opportunity to reflect on the events of the past year, and as I look back ... we got a lot accomplished. When I took the gavel from Shirley's able hands I felts I had a good roll model to follow. My goal for this year was very specific. My goal was to promote the Wiltwyck Quilters Guild in the public eye and to make the public aware of the good works we do and the beautiful quilting its members create.

The first big event of the year was the guild's Rainbow of Quilts show in October '06. No doubt of the success of the show! A thanks goes to Angee and her hands-on leadership skills. We saw these skills again for the March ASK art show Quilting as an Art Form. All who were at the show opening saw the outstanding response from the community. The comments we received from the people in attendance were outstanding. Also, a thanks goes to Denise Giardullo for handling the Doll Exhibit. The dolls were tastefully displayed. It was an event we can all be proud of, even though only a fraction of the guild member's works were on display.

We have Sarah Kessenich to thank for the great publicity for both events and to all of you who participated before, during and after the events. It is only through the Guild's group effort that our events have such great success.

Another event that got our Guild recognition was the display of quilts from our Oct. quilt show on the Chapter Gallery of the National Quilting Assoc. Web site. It was a great opportunity and we seized it. The WQG received a nice profile written on its history with a great photo of our founder Ruth Culver and our '06 Show chair Angee Opdyke.

Nice things that happened to us this year were the donations from the Buckman Foundation and also from our very generous anonymous donor. We also received many donations of fabric and other quilting items. People had the guild in their hearts and were very generous to us this year.

The next kudos goes to Pat Clark for another year of magnificent workshops: The in house workshops presented by many of our guild members, Rachel Pellham (Amish and Mennonite Quilting), Karen Abramson from our sister guild in Dutchess (easy machine circles) and the hilarious workshops on Dresden Plates, labels and appliqués with Sharon Stroud. It's not over yet, for in May we will have a lecture on Beads by Janice Peterson from Poughkeepsie.

As part of the program this year we must acknowledge the fantastic Dec. holiday party hosted by the incomparable party girl Janice Sherman and her helpers. Thankfully we will be having a repeat party, hosted by Janice, in the 2007 Christmas season.

One of our accomplishments this year, which I was happy to champion, was the new Educational Fund in our founder's name, Ruth Culver. It will always remind us of her guidance and leadership through the guild's early years and her continuing dedication to the Wiltwyck Quilters Guild.

I must also thank the Board Members for their support of my many ideas to take the WQG forward, looking at the way we do things as an organization and how to modernize and streamline the way we carry on our general business.

Finally, I would like to thank the membership for their support throughout the year. To those who came up to me and personally gave me their support. Thanks.