A star shines in town

Credit: Contributed

Members of the McDowell Quilt Trail Committee place a Shadow Star quilt block on Marion Credit Co., located on South Main Street in Marion.

By Nora Worthen | McDowell Quilt Trail Committee
Published: November 19, 2009

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An overcast and dreary day found Mike Lucas, along with several other members of the McDowell Quilt Trail committee, installing the Shadow Star quilt block on the southern exterior wall of Marion Credit Co.
There is nothing dreary about this block. Approaching Marion from the southern end of Main Street, you notice first the smaller geometric star in shades of gold and burgundy, then you notice the shadow star, which seems to pop out in three-dimension from the dark green background. The entire block is framed in black, and some say has the illusion of spinning, as you get closer. It is a must see.
Jed Rankin, owner of Marion Credit Company, became interested in obtaining a quilt block after talking to committee members manning the McDowell Quilt Trail booth at the Mountain Glory Festival.
He confessed to "carrying around quilt block books for two or three weeks - or a month" while trying to decide which block to choose, and received plenty of help from his wife, Susan, and employees in making that choice.
This soon became a company project with employees bringing more books for Jed to study. He decided on the Shadow Star because he likes the geometric shapes and angles playing off each other.
When asked why he chose those particular colors, he said, "I just like them."
The McDowell Quilt Trail committee was formed under the umbrella of McDowell Arts Council Association (MACA) in June, and to date, 10 quilt blocks are on the McDowell Quilt Trail, with several more in varying stages of completion. Anyone interested in having a quilt block can contact MACA for an application. Committee members will work with you regarding design, color, and size of the proposed quilt block.
Each block is built to required specifications using a specific type of wood and paint. Each block wears a McDowell Quilt Trail logo on the lower right-hand side of the frame, certifying that it is a McDowell Quilt Trail block. The owner receives a framed certificate of authenticity suitable for hanging.
These beautiful quilt blocks are not only dressing up a blank wall, but are dressing up downtowns Marion and Old Fort.
They help draw attention to your business and/or building, and contribute to the economy by attracting tourists to McDowell County.
Individuals and families can install a block in memory of or to commemorate someone in the family.

For more information, you can go to www.mcdowellquilttrail.org or contact MACA at by calling (828) 652-8610, or writing to P.O. Box 1387, Marion, NC 28752, or sending an email to mcdowellquilttrail.gmail.com.