Quilt Contest

Sesquicentennial Quilt History The 2025 Anita Sesquicentennial Committee first announced their quilt block contest in March 2024. The auction quilt was made to celebrate the Sesquicentennial celebration of Anita, IA in 2025. The quilt block designers were asked to limit their ideas to whale/water themed or focus on the town of Anita. Each designer was given four fabrics, asking that they use at least 3 of the 4 fabrics, but could add fabrics if needed. Blocks could be sewn either by hand or machine. The maker of the blocks were asked to sign their individual block in the lower right corner. 24 kits were distributed, with a 25 th block added later during the assembly process. Each designer was given approximately 2 months to complete their original designs, and all blocks were returned on time. Entries were received from 14 towns in 5 states. Designs included Lake Anita, the water tower, the bandshell, Evergreen Cemetery, wind turbines, The Tree In The Middle of the Road, Crestwood Hills golf course, the Anita train depot, and many different whale designs. 

Quilt blocks were made by: Carla (Pearson) Prael, Lynn Paulsen (x2), Caren Pearson Miller. Sharon Guffey-Lewis, Tamara (Wedemeyer) Watts-McPhail (x2), Lori (Turner) Halligan, Julie (Stork) Williamson, Corky Kelly, Sara Young, Pamela Reed, Sonya Clausen (x2) Sherrill Clausen, Ann (Turner) Thelen, Danita Story, Marla McLaren, Heather Johnson, Fran Dixon, Patty Stephens, Janet Huey, Crystal Schroder, Teresa Nelson, and Wanda Buer. 

The committee plans to display the quilt at the 150 th celebration, and more than likely auction the quilt during that weekend. Quilt contest committee members: Ann (Turner) Thelen of Anita, IA and Tamara (Wedemeyer) Watts-McPhail of Ankeny, IA. 

Quilt top assembled by: Tamara (Wedemeyer) Watts-McPhail of Ankeny.
Quilting done by: Janeen Pearson of Ankeny, Iowa.
Quilt label done by: Lisa Ballenger of Ankeny, Iowa. Quilt was completed June 2024.