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Supervisor Ranalli recommending the Board:
1) Receive presentation by Linda George, Founder of the El Dorado Quilt Trail Project, providing a history on Barn Quilts and how the American Quilt Trail Movement inspired the effort to establish "The Quilt Trail Project" in El Dorado County;
2) Accept from Linda George items created by Linda George on behalf of The Quilt Trail Project to be presented to dignitaries of El Dorado County's sister city, Warabi, Japan, as part of the El Dorado County Chapter of People to People's participation in the International Youth Summit 2018 in Warabi, Japan;
3) Receive a presentation from Janet Sambucetti, President of the El Dorado County Chapter of People to People on the history of El Dorado County's prosperous relationship with sister city Warabi, Japan that includes both El Dorado County and Warabi, Japan hosting cultural exchanges that allow youth from both "sister cities" to experience another culture;
4) Present to Janet Sambucetti the items created by Linda George to present to Warabi, Japan dignitaries on behalf of El Dorado County to thank the City of Warabi for hosting youth from El Dorado County as part of this year's People to People Youth Summit; and
5) Approve and authorize the signatures of all five members of the Board on a Certificate of Recognition to acknowledge Linda George for her artistic work and contribution of the quilted items she created to represent El Dorado County's gratitude to the City of Warabi, Japan for graciously hosting youth from El Dorado County as part of this year's People to People International Youth Summit. (Est. Time: 20 Min.)
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The Quilt Trail Project
Local quilters and artists, inspired by author Suzi Parron's "Barn Quilts and the American Quilt Trail Movement" have established a Quilt Trail Project in El Dorado County. The charter members of the El Dorado Quilt Trail Project worked with members of the arts and agricultural communities to share the idea of making "The Quilt Trail Project" a reality in El Dorado County. Quilt Trail blocks are painted on wood,vary in size and are considered works of art that adorn old barns, historic buildings, grace a garden or gang on rustic posts on El Dorado County Farm Trails members' properties. Most designs have historic meaning.
Since then, a number of barn quilts, which are hand-painted on 3 and 4 foot wooden squares, have been installed on local buildings and in gardens throughout the county. This public art is meant to adorn and compliment old barns, historic buildings, gardens and elsewhere. Not only do they enhance the countryside, barn quilts draw attention with their vivid colors and historic quilt patterns.
The El Dorado Farm Trails Association merged "The Quilt Trail Project" into the agri-tourism fold in March 2015 so that they now enjoy mutual compatibility, depth, interest and commerce with additional visual beauty.
Youth Summit 2018 - Warabi, Japan
The City of Warabi, Japan has been a sister city to El Dorado County and its communities since 1975. 2015 marked the 40th anniversary of this special designation. El Dorado County has a special historical connection to Warabi through the Japanese settlers and colonists who traveled to El Dorado County to establish a tea and silk colony under the direction of John Henry Schnell. The Japanese settlers and colonists raised families, establishing a strong bond between El Dorado County and the citizens of Japan.
Through the "People to People International Program" many citizens and groups of students have exchanged visits to host families in El Dorado County and to host families in Warabi, effectively demonstrating the principles its founder, President Eisenhower, believed - that "people will make friends across, around, over and under all the natural and man-made barriers which separate them." The mission of "People to People International" is to enhance international understanding and friendship through educational, cultural, and humanitarian activities involving the exchange of ideas and experiences directly among people of different countries and diverse cultures, promoting peace through understanding.
This year, the City of Warabi is hosting a contingent of visitors from El Dorado County July 21 - August 1, 2018. The El Dorado County representatives will act as ambassadors of friendship and emissaries for the continued commitment to the Sister City Program.
Linda George, Founder of the El Dorado Quilt Trail Project has created two quilted items to present to the El Dorado County Chapter of People to People International to present to Warabi, Japan dignitaries on behalf of El Dorado County in appreciation to the citizens of Warabi for hosting youth from El Dorado County as part of this year's Youth Summit and for the spirit of friendship and sharing they have demonstrated to our citizens for more than 40 years.