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Goose quilt a masterpiece

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Wednesday, July 1, 2015 4:20 PM
Sam Green/Dolores Star

LaWanna Ferrier has donated this quilt to the Galloping Goose Society.

LaWanna Ferrier has donated a quilt featuring the Galloping Goose No. 5 as part of a fundraiser for maintenance and operation of the Goose.

It's displayed in the Galloping Goose Historical Society Museum in Dolores, and will be auctioned on e-Bay.

Ferrier said she spent 500 hours on the quilt, which features a large silver graphic of the rail bus, along with photos taken in the early 1900s.

"It was delightful to work on it, and makes me feel good to donate it in support of an interesting piece of local history," she said.

The design, which features images printed on the fabric, was challenging, Ferrier said, but skill and persistence paid off.

"Finding a printer to do what I wanted was a stumbling block," she said. "I finally found one who was able to print the photographs directly on fabric, and I really like the results."

The photos highlight the Goose's evolution, from its Pierce-Arrow touring car body in 1933 and Wayne Bus Body conversion in 1946 to the freight-box conversion for passengers in 1950.

The quilt's borders are "flying geese," a series of triangles representing the bird in flight.

"That spoke to me. A Galloping Goose quilt has to have flying geese," Ferrier said, as she pointed to a border using a feather design.

The quilt also portrays foliage she saw during a recent Goose excursion, and towns and crossroads on railroads.

"She did a beautiful job," said museum volunteer Rhoda Franks.

Ferrier said she was inspired to do the project after riding the Goose last year on the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

"The trip was gorgeous!" she said. "It's impressive that it still works, and is a neat attraction for town."

Lew Matis, president of the Galloping Goose Historical Society, was grateful for the donation.

"We really appreciate her unique contribution of artwork. That somebody would go through this much effort on behalf of the Goose tells me people really care," he said. "I think as the word gets out to Galloping Goose fans, people will really want it, and we'll get a good price for it."

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