The Suffolk County, NY, EGA Chapter was formed in 1975 and allows stitchers to learn and share their needlework with other enthusiastic needleworkers during meetings and events. The Suffolk County Chapter was started as an “off shoot” from Long Island EGA (Nassau County) that met during the day, and the Suffolk Chapter met at night to allow working people the opportunity to join (Suffolk Chapter is currently meeting on Saturday mornings). The Chapter joined the Metropolitan Region in 1980.
The Chapter celebrated their 50th Anniversary on October 18, 2025. Marjorie Rogers created a quilt runner for each of us to celebrate.
The Chapter celebrated the 25th anniversary in 2000. A blackwork sampler, titled “Suffolk EGA’s Millenium Sampler”, was created to celebrate. Members were challenged to design a single row which could be incorporated into a sampler. Seven members responded with a design and then individuals stitched along as the rows were submitted. Members selected the colors and threads for their piece. Thanks to Kathy Froehlich for the information and sharing her stitched sampler!
The Chapter celebrated the 30th anniversary in October 2005. The celebration was attended by the Regional Director, Gloria Lennon, and 7 past Chapter Presidents! A quilt depicting local Long Island scenes was created and stitched by 27 members. The quilt was raffled at a Metro Regional event (raised $900 for the Chapter Education Fund). Kathy Froehlich won the quilt! The quilt was exhibited at the library and was featured in Needle Arts (June 2006), Long Islander News (Nov. 10, 2005), and The Connection Magazine/Huntington (Nov. 23, 2005). Thanks to Pat Conway for the information and Kathy Froehlich for passing the quilt on to another Chapter member in 2026.
The Chapter celebrated the 40th anniversary in 2015. A “needleworker’s tools” needlepoint was designed and stitched by Pat Conway and raffled to members to celebrate. Caren Lucas won the raffle!
The Chapter created a Bicentennial piece in 1976 for the 200th anniversary of our country. The banner was stitched on canvas, depicting the original 13 colonies. They were put together by attaching them with red, white and blue rows of Smyrna Cross with a band also in red, white and blue around it. One square had the name of the Chapter. It was donated to the Dix Hills Library because we met there. It hung for a few years by the stairs at the library. Thanks to Esther Begleiter for the information!
A large (26″ x 54″) needlework piece was stitched by 27 Chapter members. The Creation Sampler was cross stitched with Danish flower thread on linen and took several years to complete (designed by Gerda Bengtsson; The Garden of Eden). It was presented to the Reverend C. Froehlich of St. Luke Lutheran Church in July 2011. The sampler was a gift for allowing the Chapter to meet at the church. The finished piece was featured in the March 2012 Needle Arts.
The “UFO Challenge” to encourage finishing a project was started in 2002.
The local Long Island Times of Northport & East Northport wrote an article about the Chapter in June 2007.
We had two Sharing Days: one on October 7, 2007, which Suffolk County hosted and the second one was October 25, 2008 which Peconic EGA Chapter (now closed) hosted.
Our first picnic was on August 12, 2008. It was on Tuesdays since that was the regular meeting day and it started at 4PM for free parking at Sunken Meadow State Park! The Chapter President, Nancy Short, thought it would be a nice get together. It was called the “Nancy’s Annual Picnic” for many years.
Achievements & Recognitions
Gold Thread Award
The annual award recognizes outstanding individuals who have given freely of their time and talents and best exemplify EGA’s purpose to inspire passion for needle arts through education and the celebration of its heritage. This award, begun in 2004, goes to an individual from each region, with a national recipient selected from among the region recipients. The Suffolk Chapter members who have received the Metro Region Gold Thread award include:
- Dale Sokolow (2002) (award was Educator’s Award of Excellence, 1992-2003)
- Pricsilla DeSaro (2015)
- Maria Hall (2016)
- Pat Conway (2024)
Membership:
Past Presidents
Esther Begleiter (Founder) (1975 – 1976)
Rhoda Goldberg (1977)
Dale Sokolow (1978-1982)
Marcia Shulman (1983-1984)
Marianne Pletcher-Bergson (1985-1988)
Sarah Vickary (1989-1992)
Helen Fey (1993-1994)
Lynn Bryan (1994-1996)
Margaret O’Brien (1996-2002)
Rita Silver (2001-2004)
Liz Nields (2003-2004)
Audrey McLaughlin & Marjorie Losen (2004-2006)
Nancy Short (2006-2008)
Maria Hall (2006-2008)
Kathy Froehlich (2008-2012)
Caren Lucas (2013-2016)
Marjorie Rogers & Sarah Vickary (2016-2018)
Lynn Bryan & Margaret O’Brien (2018 – 2022)
Lynn Bryan (2022-2025)
Clarissa Crabtree (2026-Present)
Page updated 6/24/2026