Stitching their way to the top

A group entry by eight women who belong to Friendship Star Quilters of Gaithersburg was named a semifinalist at the American Quilter's Society Quilt Expo to be held later this month in Nashville, Tenn. The competition, now in its eighth year offers $45,000 in cash prizes.

The fingerwork was done by textile artists Michele Barnard and Kathy Barton of Gaithersburg, Suzanne Brown and Ellen Robinson of Germantown, Karen Moss of Laytonsville, Marie Quattrociocchi of Rockville, and Nancy Colladay and Coralyn Colladay of Kensington, along with Juanita Canfield of Cincinnati, Ohio.

"What this challenge tested us to do was to use colors we were unfamiliar with," said Nancy Colladay, vice president of Friendship Star Quilters, a group of beginning to advanced quilters. "There was also a specific black-and-white fabric that we all had to incorporate into our quilts."

Each quilter was given four randomly assigned colors indicated by paint chips and had to use three of the four assigned colors in their quilts, as well as the eight black-and-white fabric, Colladay said. "So the resulting eight quilts are very different because we had a lot of freedom to express our creativity."

The group's eight quilts submitted as one entry was one of 59 guild entries accepted into the national show. Their handiwork was chosen from among 472 quilts as one of 17 semifinalists in the "Ultimate Guild Challenge" category.

Three quilting experts will judge entries before the expo and the individual quilt named Best of Show will bring a $10,000 prize to its creator.

More than 280 quilts from 42 states and 10 countries will be displayed at the expo.

To see the group's prize-winning quilts, visit www.friendshipstar.org and click on "chip off the old paint bucket" results. To learn more about Friendship Star Quilters, see the Web site or call Nancy Colladay at 301-530-1872.

Back to school memories

What was it like the first time you (or your kids) boarded the school bus and left summer behind? How long did it take you to pick out the perfect back-to-school outfit? Do you have a plan for getting the best deal on school supplies? Tell us about it!

The Gazette wants to hear all your back-to-school memories, from first-day jitters and disasters, to making fast friends with your desk- or office-mate. Montgomery County Public Schools open Aug. 26, so send us your photos and share your memories by Aug. 21.

Photos and stories will be considered for print and online. E-mail us at memories@gazette.net or write to The Gaithersburg Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD, 20877.

Get creative

The Montgomery Village Foundation Department of Recreation, Parks and Culture will host an open house for its Creative Playtime Kid's Club from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Aug. 28 at the Whetstone Community Center, 19140 Brooke Grove Court in Montgomery Village.

Creative Playtime is the department's recreational and supplemental program for pre-school aged children. Parents of children enrolled in the program - as well as parents of prospective students - are invited to bring their children to meet the teachers. For more information, call Jana Serlo at 301-948-0110, ext. 334.

Hurrah!

Air Force Reserve Airman William J. Wheatley, son of Joe and Mary Wheatley of Gaithersburg and a 2005 graduate of Damascus High School graduated last month from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Tex.

During the six-week course, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

He also earned credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Tennis tourneys

Racquets ready? Registration is ongoing for annual city doubles and singles tennis tournaments.  Doubles will compete on city courts from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6-7. Singles will compete 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sept. 13, 14 and 21.

Registration for doubles teams of two city residents is $34 – add another $5 if one player lives outside the city. Two nonresidents can play for $44. Registration is due by 5 p.m. on Aug. 29.

City singles can play for $17, while nonresidents pay $22. Deadline to sign up is 5 p.m. Sept. 3.

Each match will consist of the best two of three sets with a 12-point tiebreaker in effect. Balls will be provided, but bring your own racquet. All players will get a T-shirt. Some divisions may be cancelled if not enough players enroll.

For more information, call 301-248-6350. To register, visit www.gaithersburgmd.gov to download the registration form which once completed can be faxed to 301-984-8364 or mailed to: Tennis Tournaments, 506 S. Frederick Ave., Gaithersburg, MD 20877.

Submissions for People and Places must be received by 10 a.m. Thursday. Send submissions to Patricia M. Murret via e-mail at pmurret@gazette.net, fax at 301-670-7183 or mail to The Gaithersburg-Montgomery Village Gazette, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.