Formation of the Missouri State Guild

A meeting of 23 weavers on March 5, 1988 in St. Louis became the foundation of what has now become the statewide Missouri Basketweavers Guild. On December 1, 1988 steps were taken to organize a Missouri Basketweavers Guild in St. Louis. An official guild meeting was held March 5, 1989 and in December 1989 the following officers were elected.

• President: Bonnie Schreckengast

• Secretary: Pat Moritz

• Treasurer: Denise D'Alto

• Program Driector: Carol Brandon

• Refreshment Chair: Aelen Aschinger and Barb Carr

• Librarian: Jean Bodenburg

The transition to a statewide guild and convention began with the vision coming to fulfillment in late 1990. Laury Kramer, Paula Gulley, Pat Moritz and other members of the St. Louis Missouri Basketweavers Guild were instrumental in joining forces with Ann Clark, Paula Harrison, and Sandy McCormick from the Kansas City area. In December 1990, an important decision was made by the St. Louis guild to create a statewide guild and local chapters to form in affiliation. Other weavers wanting to establish chapters were invited to join. The St. Louis guild became known as the Eastern Chapter (later Gateway Weavers Guild). Woven Circle Guild in the Kansas City Area was formed with 13 original members. These chapters became an affiliate of the Missouri Basketweavers state guild.

The statewide meeting in Hannibal June 1-2, 1991 became the first official statewide guild convention and meeting. Frances Wight of Somerset, Iowa taught a pineneedle basket to those in attendance and state elections were held. The following officers were elected:

• • • President: Ann Clark of Kansas City (Woven Circle)

    • Vice President: Betty Jo Lloyd of Canton (Eastern Chapter)

    • Secretary: Pat Moritz of St. Louis (Eastern Chapter)

    • Treasurer: Sarah Coats of Columbia (Eastern Chapter)

Past to Present Presidents

1989-1990      Bonnie Schreckengast

1991-1992      Ann Clark

1993-1994      Sandy McCormick

1995-1996      Pat Moritz

1997-1998      Pat Walden

1999-2000      Sue Chatfield

2000-2001 Carol Matteson - Jan Coonce

2002-2004      Mary Ann Allen

2004 -2008     Doris Hynes

2008-2013      Mona Hartzler

2013-2017      Beverly McKenna

2017-2021       Leanne Nielsen

2021-2023       Leanne Nielsen & Susan Brandon

2023-         Cindy Peck

Convention Themes, Logos and Chairs

June 1-2 1991 1st State Meeting & Classes

Hannibal, MO

June 13-14, 1992 MO Basket Sampler

Holiday Inn, Kansas City, MO

Co-chairs: Pat Moritz & Vickie Leftwich

June 11-13, 1993 MO Basket Sampler

Henry the VIII, St. Louis, MO

Co-chairs: Ann Clark & Vickie Leftwich

June 10-12,1994 MO Basket Sampler

American Hotel, Kansas City, MO

Chair: Valerie Bland

June 9-11, 1995 MO Basket Sampler

Henry the VIII, St. Louis, MO

Chair: Pat Moritz

June 7-9, 1996 MO Basket Sampler

Benjamin Ranch Ramada Inn, Kansas City, MO

Chair: Sue Chatfield

June 6-8, 1997 Sharing a Woven Heritage

Benjamin Ranch Ramada Inn, Kansas City, MO

Chair: Sue Chatfield

June 12-14, 1998 Woven in Heartland

Henry the VIII, St. Louis, MO

Co-chairs: Wendy Reary & Carol Matteson

June 4-6, 1999 Handwoven in the Heartland

Park Place Hotel, Kansas City, MO

Co-chairs: Doris Hynes & Susan Ratliff

June 2-4, 2000 Preserving the Past

Regal Riverfront Hotel, St. Louis, MO

Chair: Carol Matteson