KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The Lake County Quilt Trail has moved into a new phase.

On Sunday, May 27, the first installation of Phase III of the Lake County Quilt Trail was installed on the Rainbow Ag hay barn, located at 1975 Argonaut Road, Lakeport.  

Facing west, the quilt square, named “Pear Basket,” can be viewed from Highway 29 while traveling in either direction. The GPS location is N 38° 59´35¨W 122°52´36¨.
 
The family of Leroy and Bernice Thomas gathered on Memorial Day weekend to honor and remember their parents.

The Thomases were married in 1942 and in 1943 moved their little house on a trailer from downtown Kelseyville to its present site at 3955 Thomas Drive. The road was named after his family. Leroy’s mother, Viola Thomas, lived close by.
 
Leroy Thomas grew up on the Argonaut Road property now owned by Ann and Frank Davis. The Davises were operators and landowners of the former Riley Feed Store.

The intersection of Argonaut and Thomas Drive was a wonderful selection because of all the memories held by the family.

It is easy for visitors to enjoy the quilt block display. Right across the street from Rainbow Ag is another LCQT block, “54 40 or Fight,” installed at Steele Winery, 4350 Thomas Drive.

 
Thomas grew pears all his life and was active in the local farming co-operative originally known as the Lake County Fruit Exchange. He was one of the original members and later served on the board. The co-op became known as Mt. Konocti Growers.  

Thomas became president of the California Canning Pear Association and was active in all phases of the pear industry, locally and state wide.
 
Bernice Thomas was a homemaker raising three girls. She was actively involved in all aspects of the farming operation. She was a charter member of the California Women for Agriculture group and held several offices.
 
The Thomases three daughters are Connie (Thomas) Wright, Lori (Thomas) McGuire, and Jeannie (Thomas) Lewis.  

The girls, and later their children, were involved in many phases of pear farming. They drove tractors and forklifts, drove hauling trucks, moved sprinkler pipes, raked brush, lit smudge pots and sold pears from their home.

Everyone helped during the summer harvest. Pear farming was a way of life for the whole family.
 
Leroy Thomas passed away in 1996 and Bernice Thomas in 1998. They were married for 54 years and spent all but the first year of their married life at the Thomas Drive location. The entire family is very proud to have the Pear Basket square displayed in their honor and to be a part of the Lake County Quilt Trail.
 
LCQT will take applications for a waiting list.  For more information about the quilt trail visit www.lakecountyquilttrail.com or contact Bethany Rose, 707-263-5744, or visit Kerrie’s Quilting Shop at 1853 N. High St., 707-263-8555.