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RYAN SCOTT OTTNEY

PDT Staff Writer

The Down by the River Quilt Guild has 23 hand-made quilts hanging on display in the “Anything Goes” exhibit at the Portsmouth Public Library, through April 27. Its centerpiece will be raffled later this year.

The centerpiece is a row quilt created by all of the members of the guild, titled “Rows of Many Colors.” The 88-inch by 96-inch quilt (Quilt No. 1 hanging in the library) features rows comprised of 108 traditional blocks and an applique panel. There 168 flying geese units on the binding, and the pattern is a variation on a sampler quilt by Quakertown Quilts.

“This year the theme for the show at the library was ‘Anything Goes.’ Usually we have one theme we follow, but this time they could do anything they wanted to do,” said guild member Pam Imes, of Portsmouth.

The “Rows of Many Colors” quilt has been accepted as an entry at the National Quilting Association’s 43rd Annual Quilt Show in Columbus, June 14-16. The quilt will also be raffled away at this year’s annual Sorghum Festival, Oct. 5-7; where the guild will also have a booth with more quilts on display. Proceeds from the raffle will go to assist the guild with its non-profit activities.

The guild was formed in 1999 with more than 50 members. During the last 10 years its members have made more than 100 lap quilts for nursing home residents, and more than 500 baby quilts either for or to benefit fire and rescue squads, the American Red Cross, Portsmouth Police Department, Scioto County Sheriff’s Office, Scioto County Homeless Shelter, The Marsh House, Stepping Stones House, Sierra’s Haven, Portsmouth Library, and Habitat for Humanity.

Guild members are divided into four groups known as “patches,” and meet at various times each month at the New Boston Community Center on Rhodes Avenue.

“We have one scrap patch working on veterans’ quilts that we’re giving away to veterans that are in Hospice, nursing homes, assisted living, or home care. Some of the other patches — I’m not sure what they’re working on, but it’s always something different,” Imes said.

For information about joining the Down by the River Quilt Guild, contact Kendra Hughes at 740-355-1876, or write the guild at P.O. Box 328, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662.

Ryan Scott Ottney can be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 235, or rottney@heartlandpublications.com.