812-Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 12, 1997 Nora Myer is surrounded by her grandchildren, Brandon, 14, Corby, 12, and Heath er, 8, who are children of Carol and Dean Ziegler; Justin, 7, and Shelbin, 5, sons of Chris and Gary Myer; and Cassandra, 5, daughter of Karen and Brian Wagner. Because these six grandchildren attend Manhefm Christian Day School, Nora has quilted the Multi-star quilt shown in the background for the upcoming benefit sale to be held April 25-26. Grandmother Quilts For Upcoming Benefit LOU ANN GOOD Lancaster Farming Staff MANHEIM (Lancaster Co.) For most people, the annual auc tion held by the Manheim Christian Day School is a two-day affair. But for Nora Myers of Elm, the auction means months of work without pay. Monetary pay, that is. Payment comes in other forms. Nora is one of the persons who works behind the scenes quilting those beautiful quilts that annually draws customers from out of state. While still a young girl, Nora learned to quilt from her mother. But she had little time perfecting the skill after becoming a widow at a young age and raising three children. “Besides, back then, people pre ferred chenille spreads. Quilts weren't popular,” said Nora, who always kept busy knitting, crochet ing, or embroidering. After her children were grown and Nora retired from her job, she began quilting in earnest. After making a quilt for each of her children, nine grandchildren, and some for herself, she began quilt ing for others. Because she has grandchildren attending the Manheim Christian Day School, Nora considers quilt ing as a contribution to their education. For this year’s benefit sale, Nora quilted two quilts, “Country Love,” and “Multi-Star.” “I almost always have a quilt in. It’s hard to tell how long it actually takes because I just do it whenever I have time,” she said. In addition to quilting the two quilts in her home, Nora also quilts with other women from the White Oak Church of the Brethren, which also donates quilts to benefit sales for church schools and relief auctions. While most people might base the success of sale on whether or not they purchased a bargain, the success of a benefit sale depends on how much is raised to help the Manheim Christain Day School. In it’s 21 years of holding the sale, the profits have grown from a few thousand that first year to $lOO,OOO. The auction no longer resembles the one held 21 years ago. From a few hours on a Saturday, the auc tion has grown to include a Friday evening chicken barbecue and pre view to Saturday morning country breakfasts and hundreds of new items donated by businesses and individuals. The benefit sale is scheduled for Friday and Saturday, April 25 «n