By james art 
The United Church of Tallahassee is hosting its annual Artisan Market from 9am to 2pm on Saturday, November 2nd. Attendees may notice something different when they approach the eye-catching red doors this year.
The front entrance was recently remodeled as “short steps” with the help of FL Cares, a local volunteer nonprofit that builds wheelchair ramps and accessible short steps for people with mobility disabilities of all income levels. This year, FL Cares was selected to receive 100% of the proceeds from Artisan Market’s annual quilt raffle.
UCT’s sewing group, Grateful Threads, created its seventh annual raffle quilt. Measuring 105” x 94.5”, the king size comforter features heritage quality 100% cotton fabrics in a log cabin pattern.
Log cabin quilts became common in America in the mid-1800s. The fabric strips represent the logs of the cabin, and the small squares are traditionally red or yellow (they are yellow). Red squares symbolize the hearth of the home, while yellow squares mean welcoming light in the window. During the Civil War, log cabin quilts were used on the Underground Railroad to mark a safe house.
In this tradition of marking a place of safety and welcome, this year’s quilt is named “Lot of Hope; A home of joy.”
“Corrigans are about community,” said quilter and UCT member Cathy Heinz. “The sense of community that develops as we work together to create a quilt and the joy of giving to our wider community.”
Fifteen sewists were part of this community this year, including Amy Adams, Elaine Adams, Marty Asbury, Martha Ann Crawford (all the way from Iowa!), Kathy Heinz, Sydney Hendrickson, Carol Hyden, Jane Kazmer, Rachel Parker McClendon, Judy McDowell, Janice McLain, Denise Owens, Stephanie Rubanowitz, Julie Steward, and Polly Straughan. The quilting was done by Marianne Clover of Quilt Peddler.
The suggested ticket donation is $5 for one ticket or $20 for five tickets. The drawing will be held at 1:30pm on Saturday at the United Church of Tallahassee Artisan Market. You do not need to be present to win. Tickets can be purchased online at uctonline.org/quilt or in person at the Artisan Market on November 2nd.
All quilt raffle donations will go to FL Cares. Ramps and short steps have enabled people to continue living independently in their own homes, and UCT members have donated their time and energy to many FL Cares projects over the years.
All monetary donations to FL Cares go directly to purchase building materials (about $500-$600 for each short step project) for individuals who cannot afford the cost themselves. This is a charity and justice project of the UCT Community Action Committee which improves mobility and equal opportunities.
The Artisan Market will also feature local art vendors selling handmade items such as jewelry, soaps, ceramics, paintings, woodwork, pet items, ornaments, linens and more. Gourmet canning with local produce is also a specialty of the Artisan Market. There will be a bake sale and silent auction, including an opportunity to bid on a week’s stay at a beachfront condo in Panama City.
Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., with seating on the screened-in porch. Choose from the kitchen menu with homemade soups or order burgers and hotdogs from the outdoor grill. A vegan version of sweet potato chili will be available. All proceeds support UCT in their work with ministries of peace and justice.