CGOA Now!

 

First Chapter Members of CGOA Celebrate Their 30^th Anniversary

By Gwen Blakley Kinsler

When I heard from Karen Navoy that the Northern IL Chapter of CGOA was celebrating 30 years as a chapter, I was honored to be invited along with several other Charter Members. NICGOA first met in June of 1994 and again in July to plan a crochet display for a library showcase.

Northern Illinois Chapter

Their determination, enthusiasm and thriving fellowship is what I love about my chapter; I am still a member even though I moved to Indianapolis in 2015! The greetings and the hugs when I arrived were overwhelming, to say the least! I was impressed that seventeen of the thirty in attendance were old friends and long-time members. Also seeing so many new faces signaled to me that the chapter is alive and well.

President Nicole Hall started with a brief business meeting, followed by an abbreviated show & tell. We had ordered our CGOA swag as a group, and it was waiting for us. 

Sally made the Queen for me; my swag is pictured

Sally Bassett and Connie Jurinak planned the party and were excited to get it started! There was a beautiful anniversary cake, a display table filled with memorabilia, photos albums and anniversary gnomes made by Sally for all of us. 

30th Anniversary NIC CGOA

I had the honor of presenting the CGOA Masters of Advanced Stitches and Techniques pin to Tom Toussaint. Tom is very special to our chapter, not because he is our only male member, but because he is involved with his community and family of ten, as well as dedicating his crochet life to developing his skills! Congratulations, Tom!

I was the only founding member who was able to attend the party, and when I least expected it Sally and Connie offered me a seat on the “throne” with “red carpet,” and I was made “Queen for a Day!”  It was an honor to be appreciated, but it meant the world to me to see with my crochet buddies again after such a long time!

                                                        Connie Jurinak & Rosalie Johnston

When I was invited, I agreed to speak about the history of CGOA and my role in creating the first Chain Link Crochet Conference. I’ve often said that the first conference happened selfishly from my need to meet and crochet with others. After the conference kicked off, generous volunteers brought ideas, skills and enthusiasm that “birthed” CGOA and nurtured it all these years to the great organization we enjoy today!

It is my wish that every crocheter is able to enjoy a chapter like NICGOA and know that even crocheting with a friend could develop into just that! CGOA is there to help and to answer questions. 

Afterwards, I reached out to the members that were at the Celebration, and this is what they had to say about their chapter membership:

“It was wonderful to share our chapter’s history which is so interesting especially for new members.”

Memorabilia Table

“I keep coming back to meetings for the camaraderie, to learn new technique and for the inspirational Show ‘n Tell.”

“The opportunity to join in chapter workshops and retreats together are so much fun.”

“I have learned to turn mistakes into treasures using creative, rapid design changes.”

“I have tried challenging techniques which I would have never tackled before.”

“We have grown beyond the granny square and classic ripple afghan.”