Some kids are 'sew' cool

One of my many failings has been my ability, or lack thereof, to sew, either by machine or by hand. Anything I ever made turned out uneven or unraveled or just plain looked ugly.

I remember making a pair of pants in middle school that had one leg that went past my ankle and another just past my shin. Needless to say, I was sick the day you were supposed to wear your sewing project to school.

So I have to admire a group of Silver Stage High School Leadership students who managed to make a quilt with pictures of the entire class.

The students are Allison Thiessen, Stephanie Pato, Desiray Sotelo, Laura Pierson, Nicholas and Lucas Moser.

Helping the students were Emma Sylvester, Margaret Ruckman, Sharron Stofer from Silver Springs Entertainment and Arts, and Chris Hutton from the Golden Needles Quilters. Randy King from Fernley also came to help. Randy's quilt won Best of Show in SSEA's Quilt Show 2007.

The quilt was made with the attic window design using the school colors of blue and silver, with the mascot, the nighthawk in the center.

Ruckman said the students had very little sewing experience but did a fantastic job.

"We were there only as advisors," she said. "They can certainly sew a quarter-inch seam now and anyone who does quilting knows the importance of that quarter-inch seam."

Some of the students did pinning and pressing and two of the students were comfortable with sewing. The quilt is proof of what teamwork can accomplish and that two generations can work well together.

Ruckman said working with the students was a lot of fun, and she hopes it will start a tradition.

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The kids in Virginia City are working hard to promote their art as well, only for them it is music. A whole day of music.

Music teacher Matt Breithaupt and his students have organized a special benefit music festival beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday at Piper's Opera House, 12 North B St., Virginia City. All proceeds benefit the school's music program.

Weston Buck will wake up the town with some heavy metal at 10 a.m., then Squeek LaVake will perform some ragtime piano like only she can.

The Virginia City High School Garage Band will play some popular oldies, followed by Silver City favorites Will and Sheree Rose, with Miles Kiechler playing some country/folk tunes,

The Red Dawn Band will then perform some country rock, followed by Southern-style rock by the local band Wild Card.

The Palace Restaurant at 54 South C St. will offer a spaghetti dinner while diners are serenaded by Ad Libitum.

All day tickets are $10; kids 6-12 $5; any size family, $25. spaghetti dinner is $5 a plate.

For more information, call Piper's Opera House at 847-0433 and come out to support the local kids.

- Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or by calling 881-7351.