Giant community hug unveiled at County’s hospital

Just in time for the holidays, a giant community hug was unveil on Thursday as the Marysburgh Mummers theatre organization helped the County’s hospital share the love through the Prince Edward Barn Quilt Trails.

The single wood quilt block placed on the front of the building is called ‘Points for Care’ representing a “geographical hug” to honour the uniqueness of the County from Long Point to Green Point, Smokes Point to Pt Petre, and all the connecting points in between. It represents the hospital and its local community of care through staff, volunteers, friends and family.

Briar Boyce, PECMH Foundation Communications and Donations co-ordinator, notes that quilters, through the masterpieces they create, lovingly bridge the past with the future.

“Just as fabric quilts have a unique history, so do barn quilts in their single square. A quilt is a treasure that follows its family through time. We anticipate transporting this treasure to our new hospital one day,” said Boyce. “In the meantime, we’re hoping our quilt resonates with our beloved community.”

The PEC Barn Quilt Trail consists of more than 100 barn quilts mapped out in a network of rural art inspiring to bring the community together one block at a time. Trail blazers can use a map brochure to locate all the quilt blocks.

Boyce notes the trail to getting a barn quilt started with the desire to honour the unwaivering commitment of staff and volunteers and was furthered by a meeting with the Barn Quilt Trails not-for-profit group led by Pat Dubyk and her team of artists – Audrey Tomick, Trish Hornsby, Gail Henderson, Ginny Klein and Sandra Norval.

Marysburgh Mummers pose for a photo after the unveiling of the barn quilt, Thursday. Briar Boyce photos

The Marysburgh Mummers, patrons of the County hospital, stepped in with fundraising during their recent production of ‘A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum’. Topped up with personal donations from Boyce, Penny Rolinski, the foundation’s executive director, Lisa Mowbray, patient services manager, and Monica Alyea, foundation chair, the block was on its way to being installed, free of charge, by Tom Belch and Sons Building Contractors.

“A big thank you is extended to Matt Taylor, Josh Nicholson and Dave Bryden – the crew that installed the quilt while braving the cold weather on Thursday,” said Boyce.

“With everybody’s help we’re able to send our warmest wishes to everybody who drives past the hospital and sees our quilt. On behalf of the Foundation, we thank everybody for their commitment to advancing health care for our patients and the people of Prince Edward County. We have an incredible donor family. We’re so grateful for all our staff, volunteers and friends – during this season of giving, and all year round.”

Colour block meanings of the ‘Points for Care’ barn quilt at PECMH:
Blue: a symbol for protection, peace, calmness and spirituality
Green: a symbol for growth and fertility
White: a symbol for purity, power of the body and mind, love, energy flowing freely
Brown: a symbol for earth, friendship and strength
Black: protection and binding together
Yellow: health in body and mind, love, and the sun