Arizona Quilts

On this Memorial Day 2020 we take a pause in our "normally" busy schedules to pay homage to all those who have given the
ultimate sacrifice so that our freedoms remain intact.
To these heroes and their families we extend a heartfelt THANK YOU!
Just having the ability to communicate freely even in this format can be attributed to their sacrifice!

During the last several weeks we have been blessed to witness several big events honoring another type of hero ... our first responders, doctors, nurses, and other people who daily place themselves in harm's way fighting the Covid-19 Virus. The first of those events was the Luke Air Force Base flyover which we got to see first hand from our shop as the formation flew just south of us following Grand Avenue. This impressive group of airpower headed north then made a sweeping right hand "U" turn giving us one more glimpse as they headed back to base. The sound of 10 powerful aircraft all in one group passing by together definitely brought a chill down my spine.

The last flyover on May 8 was not only to honor those same Covid -19 heroes, but was to remember the 75th Anniversary of "Victory in Europe"! This awe-inspiring flyover was not originally even scheduled because its shining star was on the docket to fly in Washington DC's VE Day 75th-anniversary celebration. Because of the pandemic, Washington DC's celebration was canceled thus releasing the pride of our local wing of the Commemorative Air Force's B-17 Flying Fortress to lead a 3 vintage plane flyover. Following close behind the B-17 nicknamed "The Sentimental Journey" was the C-47 Skytrain "Old Number 30" with the B-25 Mitchell bomber "Maid in the Shade" bringing up the rear. The scheduled flight plan would bring the group directly over Peoria's Rio Vista Park. As a WWII enthusiast I, with great anticipation, headed down to the park to hopefully get a glimpse of the flyover. Keeping my eyes skyward scanning the southern horizon with several other onlookers I heard a shout, "There they are!" Much to our disappointment, because of crowded airspace, the boys adjusted their pattern to the west of us about 4 miles taking any good pictures out of the equation. Albeit a bit disappointing not seeing these 3 beautifully restored pieces of aviation history live and in color, I was introduced to my City of Peoria's "Veterans Memorial". This small, but impressive, Memorial not only lists names of Peorians that have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also showcases a historical timeline of conflicts our honored veterans have fought and died to protect our freedoms in.
If you would like to learn more or maybe visit Rio Vista Park, just click below for more information.

https://www.peoriaaz.gov/government/departments/parks-recreation-and-community-facilities/parks-and-trails/rio-vista-community-park#ad-image-9

If others like me love WWII history, especially aircraft, just click on the link below to be taken to the Commemorative Air Force website where you can even schedule a flight in one of the 3 warbirds I mentioned above!

https://www.azcaf.org/

Update on Classes!

On Tuesday, June 2nd Nannette will kick off our summer class schedule with the first of 2 "Take a Stand" bag classes. Thursday, June 4th Deb our fiber artist will be teaching "Thread Play" in the morning and "Creating Fabric Beads" in the afternoon. We are limiting class size, so please
call the store about availability.
You can see a list of upcoming classes by scrolling to the end of this newsletter or you can click the link below to our website and then go to the calendar tab.

https://www.azquilts.com/

It has been GREAT to see so many of your smiling faces and
we again THANK YOU for all of your support!