Nebraska Woman turning Country School into Quilter’s Retreat
Fullerton, Neb.
Seven miles east of Cedar Rapids, Neb., lies a dream.
It sits just off Highway 56 and is recognized as the Plum Center country school, better known by its former students as simply “District 9.”
What is turning this two-room school house into a dream is an idea being put into motion by a former student, Barb Zoucha of Columbus, Neb. With the help of her husband Marv, Barb is in the process of restoring the building into a quilter’s retreat. It’s an idea that “came all of a sudden,” says this Cedar Rapids native.
Barb had always loved to sew, making quilts what she calls “the old-fashioned way.” When her friends started encouraging her to quilt with them, she declined and wanted to stick to her scrapbooking projects instead.
Two years ago these same friends finally convinced Barb to go on a quilter’s retreat with them in Bennington, Kan., hosted in an old-brick building that had been restored. Little did she realize at the time what an inspiration the building would become in her life.
“I just loved how it was decorated,” Barb recalls. “Everywhere you looked were things from your childhood. It was fun to see that and fun to be with a bunch of women who love to do what you do.”
Just when she was hooked on quilting retreats, Barb learned that the owner in Kansas was closing the business because of other responsibilities. “Just as I discovered this, it’s gone. Then it hit me so suddenly … what a great use for District 9.”
Barb had attended District 9 in 1st and 2nd grade. Some of her siblings as well as her father and numerous other relatives are also alumni, so the school has close family ties.
Seven miles east of Cedar Rapids, Neb., lies a dream.
It sits just off Highway 56 and is recognized as the Plum Center country school, better known by its former students as simply “District 9.”
What is turning this two-room school house into a dream is an idea being put into motion by a former student, Barb Zoucha of Columbus, Neb. With the help of her husband Marv, Barb is in the process of restoring the building into a quilter’s retreat. It’s an idea that “came all of a sudden,” says this Cedar Rapids native.
Barb had always loved to sew, making quilts what she calls “the old-fashioned way.” When her friends started encouraging her to quilt with them, she declined and wanted to stick to her scrapbooking projects instead.
Two years ago these same friends finally convinced Barb to go on a quilter’s retreat with them in Bennington, Kan., hosted in an old-brick building that had been restored. Little did she realize at the time what an inspiration the building would become in her life.
“I just loved how it was decorated,” Barb recalls. “Everywhere you looked were things from your childhood. It was fun to see that and fun to be with a bunch of women who love to do what you do.”
Just when she was hooked on quilting retreats, Barb learned that the owner in Kansas was closing the business because of other responsibilities. “Just as I discovered this, it’s gone. Then it hit me so suddenly … what a great use for District 9.”
Barb had attended District 9 in 1st and 2nd grade. Some of her siblings as well as her father and numerous other relatives are also alumni, so the school has close family ties.
Seven miles east of Cedar Rapids, Neb., lies a dream.
It sits just off Highway 56 and is recognized as the Plum Center country school, better known by its former students as simply “District 9.”
What is turning this two-room school house into a dream is an idea being put into motion by a former student, Barb Zoucha of Columbus, Neb. With the help of her husband Marv, Barb is in the process of restoring the building into a quilter’s retreat. It’s an idea that “came all of a sudden,” says this Cedar Rapids native.
Barb had always loved to sew, making quilts what she calls “the old-fashioned way.” When her friends started encouraging her to quilt with them, she declined and wanted to stick to her scrapbooking projects instead.
Two years ago these same friends finally convinced Barb to go on a quilter’s retreat with them in Bennington, Kan., hosted in an old-brick building that had been restored. Little did she realize at the time what an inspiration the building would become in her life.
“I just loved how it was decorated,” Barb recalls. “Everywhere you looked were things from your childhood. It was fun to see that and fun to be with a bunch of women who love to do what you do.”
Just when she was hooked on quilting retreats, Barb learned that the owner in Kansas was closing the business because of other responsibilities. “Just as I discovered this, it’s gone. Then it hit me so suddenly … what a great use for District 9.”
Barb had attended District 9 in 1st and 2nd grade. Some of her siblings as well as her father and numerous other relatives are also alumni, so the school has close family ties.
Seven miles east of Cedar Rapids, Neb., lies a dream.
It sits just off Highway 56 and is recognized as the Plum Center country school, better known by its former students as simply “District 9.”
What is turning this two-room school house into a dream is an idea being put into motion by a former student, Barb Zoucha of Columbus, Neb. With the help of her husband Marv, Barb is in the process of restoring the building into a quilter’s retreat. It’s an idea that “came all of a sudden,” says this Cedar Rapids native.
Barb had always loved to sew, making quilts what she calls “the old-fashioned way.” When her friends started encouraging her to quilt with them, she declined and wanted to stick to her scrapbooking projects instead.
Two years ago these same friends finally convinced Barb to go on a quilter’s retreat with them in Bennington, Kan., hosted in an old-brick building that had been restored. Little did she realize at the time what an inspiration the building would become in her life.
“I just loved how it was decorated,” Barb recalls. “Everywhere you looked were things from your childhood. It was fun to see that and fun to be with a bunch of women who love to do what you do.”
Just when she was hooked on quilting retreats, Barb learned that the owner in Kansas was closing the business because of other responsibilities. “Just as I discovered this, it’s gone. Then it hit me so suddenly … what a great use for District 9.”
Barb had attended District 9 in 1st and 2nd grade. Some of her siblings as well as her father and numerous other relatives are also alumni, so the school has close family ties.
Seven miles east of Cedar Rapids, Neb., lies a dream.
It sits just off Highway 56 and is recognized as the Plum Center country school, better known by its former students as simply “District 9.”
What is turning this two-room school house into a dream is an idea being put into motion by a former student, Barb Zoucha of Columbus, Neb. With the help of her husband Marv, Barb is in the process of restoring the building into a quilter’s retreat. It’s an idea that “came all of a sudden,” says this Cedar Rapids native.
Barb had always loved to sew, making quilts what she calls “the old-fashioned way.” When her friends started encouraging her to quilt with them, she declined and wanted to stick to her scrapbooking projects instead.
Two years ago these same friends finally convinced Barb to go on a quilter’s retreat with them in Bennington, Kan., hosted in an old-brick building that had been restored. Little did she realize at the time what an inspiration the building would become in her life.
“I just loved how it was decorated,” Barb recalls. “Everywhere you looked were things from your childhood. It was fun to see that and fun to be with a bunch of women who love to do what you do.”
Just when she was hooked on quilting retreats, Barb learned that the owner in Kansas was closing the business because of other responsibilities. “Just as I discovered this, it’s gone. Then it hit me so suddenly … what a great use for District 9.”
Barb had attended District 9 in 1st and 2nd grade. Some of her siblings as well as her father and numerous other relatives are also alumni, so the school has close family ties.
