Oodles of quilts on display at last year's Columbiaville show

Quilts. Fine arts. Food. What more could you ask for?

Yes, it’s the 7th annual Quilt Show and Fine Arts Festival hosted by Columbiaville United Method Church women and KIND (Kids in New Directions). There’s something for everyone at this truly first class show.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 28 prepare to be delighted by visual, tactile and tasty treats. There’s always a fabulous display of quilts, including newly completed marvels as well as antique treasures. Elaine’s Quilty Shop will have a display. There will be trunk shows at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. And where there are quilters, there is fabric for sale as well.

But wait, there’s more. Yes, the show includes a fascinating variety of fine arts that spans from painting, stained glass, woodburning, jewelry, and embroidery to charcoal drawings, yard art, needlework, and yes, Ukrainian Egg Décor. And the artist will share tips, techniques and demonstrations.

Check out the artist demonstrations in a variety of media

There’s even more! I can report first-hand that the food is awesome. You can have lunch for $6 and you can just try to resist the bake sale. Go ahead, try.

Look for a cool find in the silent auction, and take the plunge and have fun with a make it and take it craft (additional cost).

It’s just a really fun day with plenty of color and creativity. Get in the door for $3. It goes towards the church and Kids in New Directions. The place to be is Columbiaville Methodist Church at 4696 Pine St. in Columbiaville.

KIND executive director Cheryl Clark will don another of her many hats, this time a chef’s hat, to whip up a New Orleans-style dinner complete with jambalaya, gumbo and bbq chicken. After dinner, the Saucecats take to the stage to get everybody moving with their unique blend of New Orleans funk Zydeco and blues. They toss in some Latin and Carribean music to boot. Cash bar, silent auction, 50/50 are part of Saturday’s mix as well.

An evening of fun for a good local cause. Sounds good to me. KIND provides prevention and early intervention services for at-risk kids from kindergarten through grade eight and their families in Lapeer County.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door of the Lapeer Center Building. Event starts at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 810-245-3978 or email c@clark.gs.

Word up it’s a great time. The band is fun, and always gets the crowd going with their mix of New Orleans funk Zydeco and blues. Beads? Masks? Hot sauce? Also, a cash bar, silent auction, and 50/50. All that fun for a good local cause.

Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door of the Lapeer Center Building. Event starts at 6 p.m. For tickets, call 810-245-3978 or email c@clark.gs.

let’s play

It’s so important to play with your kids, read with your kids, talk with your kids.

Wanted to be sure to help spread the word on a cool summer program for the wee ones. KIND (Kids in New Directions) and Great Start are collaborating to offer free (yes, I said FREE!) summer activities for the 0-5 year old set. The sessions are offered from 10-12 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at different locations around the county (Lapeer, IC, Hadley, Almont, Metamora, North Branch, Dryden). Each week has a different, way cool theme. Parents, plan to stay for the session. You will learn about play activities you can do at home to help develop your child’s skills (fine & gross motor, social, cognitive, and language). Awesome.

First sessions are this week! And the theme this week is Day on the Farm. Oooh, ooh, ooh, look there’s going to be a Treasure Hunt with Nature theme, Bubbles of Fun theme, chalk, fairy tales, it goes on and on. Program runs from June 2 through August 20.

For more info and to register, contact KIND at 810-245-3978.