Our last night....

We went to the neatest place for our celebration dinner, The 356th Fighter Group , located just off  the Canton Airport.  The 356th Fighter Group Restaurant is the area's only authentic WWII restaurant dedicated to the heroes of the war. The 356th Fighter Group was an actual airborne team that saw combat in the European Theater. Three squadrons of planes (the 359th, 360th, and 361st) made up the 356th Fighter Group. These Pilots flew the P-47 Thunderbolt and then the famed P-51 Mustang while escorting the B-17 Bombers across the English Channel to safety. This group was stationed at the Martelsham Heath Airfield in Suffolk, England. The 356th Fighter Group completed a total of 413 combat missions.  The outside of the restaurant is decorated with old trucks, sentry posts, airplanes, ambulances, and other war memorabilia.  When you enter, you think you walking into a sand-bagged bunker.  Lots of actual newspaper clippings and photos adorn the walls.  What a great place!  If you ever get to Canton, make sure you plan to have dinner here--the food was fabulous!


Bonnie E, Michele, Ruth, Marcia S, Molly, Josie, Lyn, Trish



Eva, Suecat, Marilyn/Marcia, Nan, Merrily, Marcia L, Marcia/Marilyn, Rosie

Jodi, Bonnie S, Sharon Z, Donna W, Lanette, Jean, Sharon T

After a wonderful dinner and lots of laughs, we went back to the sewing room and began the painful process of trying to pack up all our sewing stuff! Most of us went home with more than we brought--it must have been those visits to the quilt shops. Oh, and did I tell you, Canton has a HUGE Jo-Ann Fabrics?  It's 2 to 3 times bigger than the one we have at home. The saleslady that cut all our fabric said it was a "Super Jo-Ann's". I've never seen one so big! And lots of quilting fabric that we've never seen at our local store. I think all the NY gals bought at least some fabric and a pre-cut kit. AND did I mention they were having a BIG SALE!!!!

Before we had everything packed up, we went out to the lobby and had a group picture taken by Scott, our clean-up man.

Front Row-R to L

Nan, Merrily, Ruth, Suecat, Marcia L, Eva, Rosie, Michele, Jodi, Lanette

Stairs Bottom to Top

Josie, Mini 1, Sharon Z, Debi, Donna W, Mini 2, Ann, Sharon T, Diane S, Jean

Top Row R to L

Donna G, Jill, Bonnie S, Molly, Marcia S, Bonnie E, Gail

A great time was had by all.  Now to just finish up everything we started on retreat.  Then bring it back next year, so we can all "ooh" and "aah" over all our completed "ta-das". 

It was a long, hot trip back home, but we did break it up a bit by stopping at the Casino in Salamanca for lunch.  Half the girls left early Sunday morning so they could gamble, but the rest of us just met up with them for the buffet, then we headed home.  The others stayed to gamble some more, and I guess one of the girls was a very lucky girl that day.  Now the rest of us just have to save up enough money for next year.

And that's the story of my quilting retreat to Canton, Ohio.  Until next time...

Happy quilting from Sharon. Katie, and Patsy Cline