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Foothills Quilt Trail |
"Monkey Wrench"
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Location: 15 Conn Rd., on Rt. 173
Geocode: 38.137341, -83.266054
Directions: From Morehead, go east on US60/KY32 (the Bypass) to signal
light near Rodburn Elementary School. Turn right and go 9.4 miles on
Christy Creek Rd. (Rt. 32E).Tthen at Wagoner's Corner, go right 2.5 miles
on Rt. 173 to just past junction with Conn Road. Garage is at left near
the road facing Rt. 173.
Building Owner: Bill &
Lois Conn Tackitt
Painted by: FQT Quilt Painting Team
Installed: October 11, 2009 by the Tackitt family
Sponsor: Lucy Conn Moore
Notes:
Monkey Wrench is one of the few quilt blocks on the Foothills quilt Trail
that is displayed on a building other than a barn. However, it does hang
on a building with much character and history in the Elliottville
community. The
Monkey Wrench quilt block is appropriately exhibited on an old
garage owned by the Cyril Conn family on Route 173.
The garage first opened for business in the late 40’s. It soon became
known for more than auto repair as it became the “hangout” for many of
the area residents. With a horseshoe pit out back, there was always a game
in action and challengers awaiting their turn. Many dropped by just to sit
and have a Pepsi or chat awhile. For a real treat, Cyril would empty a
pack of peanuts in his ice cold Pepsi. Many fond memories were forged by
members of the Elliottville community at the Conn garage. The garage
remained in operation until the late 60’s when Cyril went to work at MSU.
Sherman retired shortly thereafter.
Lucy Conn Moore purchased the block as a birthday gift for her sister Lois
Conn Tackitt in September 2009. Lois loved the rich heritage associated
with Foothills Quilt Trail and wanted a block of her own. However, the
barn on the property was too far from the main highway. Thus, she began
shifting her thinking so that she could still have a block. As she
searched for patterns, she happened upon the Monkey Wrench and knew that
was the perfect pattern for the garage. She applied to the FQT Committee
but learned that criteria for a block specified that the block must be
attached to a barn. She shared her disappointment with Lucy. Her heart was
set on a block for the garage which sat right next to the highway beside
her house. The original Monkey Wrench pattern inspired both sisters to
honor their father Cyril and paternal grandfather, R.S. “Sherman”
Conn. When Lucy learned of Lois’s efforts and disappointment, she took
matters into her own hands. She contacted a friend on the FQT and bought a
block to be painted as a surprise for her sister. Bound by secrecy, the
FQT helped Lucy find an alternate Monkey Wrench pattern that had not
previously been used. She chose shades of purple (Lois’s favorite color)
and hunter green to compliment the trim on the house. It was decided that monkey
wrenches would be used as to represent the fabric design in lieu of
the flowers on the original pattern.
Under the ruse of needing to pick up boxes at the Morehead
News office for the Rowan County Board of Education where they both
work, Lucy surprised Lois with the block. Members of the committee and Morehead
News staff helped with the plot and captured Lois’s surprise in
photos as she realized the block she was admiring was her own.
After giving the garage a new
coat of paint, Lois, her husband, Bill, and son, Josh, hung the
quilt block on the garage in early October 2009.