Howard Limes made a bit of fair history Thursday as he bought the final official Wood County Fair quilt
for $625.
He is a regular and longtime supporter of the fair’s quilt auction. With this quilt he has now purchased
nine fair quilts. CLICK
HERE TO VIEW MORE PHOTOS
In addition to offering his support for those who show in the needlework department at the fair, Limes
had a special reason to purchase this quilt.
"I lost my wife and this one is for her," Limes said. "I am going to put this in our spare
bedroom in her memory."
According to Sharon Stratman, needlework chairperson, the fair quilt idea "has run its gamut. It’s
time for something new."
She said they are working out the details on what to do at next year’s fair. There will still be a
"Quilt Day" with all the quilts being showcased and various demonstrations. However there will
be no quilt to auction off.
Stratman researched the "fair quilt" history and found the first quilt was auctioned in 1990
with blocks entered at the 1989 fair. That quilt was purchased by JoAnne and Gary Britton. Limes bought
his first quilt in 1992.
"That’s 20 years of fair quilts," the chairperson said. CLICK
HERE FOR FAIR VIDEOS
For those not familiar, the fair quilt, and in some years, quilts, are made from quilt squares entered at
the previous year’s fair. The blocks are put together with the souvenir quilt auctioned to the highest
bidders. In some years, the volume of entries required a second quilt to be made to use all the squares.

This year’s piece consisted of 22 entry blocks among other pieces in the finished quilt. Among those 22
squares was the one created by last year’s blue ribbon winner, Betty Whitacre. Other squares were by
Londa Burk, Jackie Downs and Janette Wilhelm, who received second, third and honorable mention awards at
last year’s judging.
The quilt featured 35 total blocks and measured 80 by 108 inches which would fit a queen-size bed.
After all the quilt pieces were gathered, Erica Border of Bowling Green volunteered to piece the quilt
together. This year, for the first time, the fair quilt was machine quilted. That was done by Lisa
Spalding of the Quilt House in Maumee.
Auctioneer Keith Bradley had fun with the crowd, although there were only two primary bidders for the
quilt.
"The more you bid, the better you like it," Bradley said in getting the price just a bit
higher.
Prior to the auction, the quilt was one of numerous prize pieces displayed in the Annex Building at the
Wood County Fairgrounds. Various clubs were on hand to showcase their creations, along with many
individual quilters.
One of the more interesting quilts was a "Civil War" quilt created by the eighth grade students
at Otsego Middle School.
Jenny Morlock brought a quilt with an interesting history. The "Round Robin" quilt was made by
an online group called the Shady Lane Quilters. Various quilters across the country made part of the
quilt and passed it on to another member to add to it.
Nancy Wensink of Custar, brought one of her "Promise Quilts" for the show. For those not
familiar, two similar, if not identical, quilts are made. One is given away and the other may be kept
for yourself.
Wensink’s quilt was pink in honor of the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure. She gave one to a friend who
is dealing with breast cancer. The one on display will be donated to the Race for the Cure. She believes
they will raffle it off to raise more money for the charity.
She was encouraged to see many of the quilts made by younger people.
"Quilting was a dying art, but with the 4-H program and the Extension office programs, it looks like
there will be a new generation of quilters," Wensink said.
Stratman said she was pleased with this year’s auction and made a special effort to thank Limes for his
support over the years.