By Karen La Pierre
A mislabeled box sat on a dusty, dark top shelf in the corner of the storeroom at Hoisington Public Library, apparently unopened for 25 years.
Librarian assistant Diane Harmon was organizing the storeroom a few weeks ago and opened the box that said “felt, ribbon and paper” on the outside. It was one she had never been into it before.
“What a treasure,” Harmon said. “Most of these kids, I know their parents.”
Harmon is a lifelong resident of Hoisington.
The box contained a quilt made by 53 children for the Summer Reading program at the library in 1996 with a theme of Kansas history. Each child made a square with spinning windmills, yellow sunflowers and other Kansas scenes, and signed it with their name and age.
Vonnie Burmeister, the children’s librarian at the time, said that Central Kansas Library System had suggested the quilt for “Kansas Reads” program. She remembered ironing the squares after the children colored them to set the colors. After 25 years, she doesn’t know who sewed the quilt blocks together or tied the quilt.
Kathy Farrington, Susan Willis, Burmeister and Janet Reitcheck all had their names on the quilt as well. Each worked at the library at the time.
"I think it was a fun find for you, and I am so glad to see it get some attention,” Willis, now retired, said. “What a labor of love."
Children who made blocks are: Ryan Applebee, age 11; Mitchell Williamson; Alyssa Sauer, 7; Tucker Applebee, 8; Laura Richards, 6; Calie Rous, 8; Lee Goetz, 6; Wayne Stoskopf, 8; Kyra Horesky, 7; Blaine Barnard, 7, Bradley Harting, age 6; Shelly Ritter, 8;
Drew Reisner, 4; Brance Barnard, 10, Deandra Kaiser, 5; Darrell Doonan, 6; Savannah Nulton, age 6; Nolan Trapp, age 6; Danielle Reisner, 7; Michael Richards, 4; Darci Poland, 6; Anna Lee Webb, 5; Jennifer Friedly, 8; Jennifer Sawyer, 9; Chasity Axman, 10;
Dylan Sauer, 4; Brianna Kaiser, 8; Sarah Kaiser, 4; Sarah Ritter, 9; Boor, 6; Matt Goetz, 9; Audra Jonas; Danielle Doze; Slayton Rous, 9; Toni Hales, 8; Adam Hales, 7; Dustin Lacey, 7; Anthony Lucero, 11; Nathan Willis, 7; Tori Phillipi, 8; Ashley Lucero, 9; Cameron Horseky, 6; Joseph Doze, 8 1/2; Danielle Bitter, 9; Emily Goetz, 10 ½; Amanda Prosser, 7; Taylor Phillippi, 5; Alyssa Sawyer, 6; Heather Harting, 10; Delora Donovan, 5; Jordan Bates, 9; and Bradon Bitter, 6;
The library continues to operate and take as many Covid precautions as possible. They offer Hoopla, free online books and movies, as well as the ability to search and order books throughout Central Kansas from the comfort of home.