Quilters are a diverse group, but the vast majority of them have many things in common, says Candy Norris, quilter extraordinaire. One of the common traits, Candy said, is that 85 percent of quilters have a room dedicated in their homes specifically to the task of making quilts. Quilters need special equipment, such as a sewing machine that averages about $2,500 in cost, Candy said. The average quilter is about 62 years of age; 70 percent of them are college graduates; they spend $517 in thread for a quilt. "Grandma's tradition" lives on in modern quilters, Candy said. Thanks so much, Candy, for a most interesting program.

Cruise tickets are out. Sign 'em, sell 'em and return the stubs to Gina no later than April 14. This year's Rotary Foundation cruise will take the winner of the drawing -- to be determined at the District 5730 conference at the end of April -- along the California coast. The seven-day cruise aboard Princess lines will show visitors the beauty of California's Pacific Coast line. There's no need to buy the tickets; we've already purchased them through our dues. So, they're ours. Let's take part in the drawing.

We have three new members and two new proposed members. Paul Borchardt introduced Cindy Jennings and Bill Townsend to our club, both under the classification of Insurance; meanwhile, Marilyn Ault introduced Norma O'Neill to our club; Norma joins he club under the classification of Grain Farmer. Welcome to you all. As for proposed new members, Dale Bippus proposes David Zint, area manager for CMC Construction Services; he comes to us under the classification Construction Products. And Renee Wilson proposes Greg Green, director of Potter-Randall 911, under the classification of Emergency Phone Service.

Thanks this week go to: President-elect John Early, for presiding; Jess Ghormley and Renee Wilson, for leading us in song; Erv Bergen, for his invocation; Val Fulkerson, for introducing guests and visiting Rotarians; Basil Walker, Dale Bippus, Johnny Crowley and Mel Darnell for greeting us; and John Tyson for selling Rotary Foundation drawing tickets. And speaking of the drawing, Marilyn Ault drew the 4 of Diamonds. The pot is zooming way past 2 grand.