Vernon resident to speak about cotton

VERNON — Dan Boltz of Vernon will give a presentation on May 18 entitled “Cotton: From the Plants to the Pants” at the Vernon Senior Citizens Center at 21 Church Street in Vernon.

The presentation is sponsored by the Vernon Township Historical Society and will begin at 2 p.m.

Boltz will speak about cotton, about his adventures as a fabric salesman, and about the wonderful pairs of cotton pants his wife, Fran Boltz, has made for him from the fabrics he sold. Currently, Fran Boltz is sewing her 157th pair of pants for Dan. Married 53 years, the Boltzes got the idea about 28 years ago to make pants from Dan’s fabrics around their 25th wedding anniversary.

These colorful pants with vibrant prints and patterns, such as tropical fish, panda bears, bold flowers, and wildlife, have become his trademark fashion by which all know and love Dan Boltz.

Dan’s pants are featured in the children’s book written by Boltz, his wife, and Merle Good. The name of the book is Dan’s Pants: The Adventures of Dan the Fabric Man. Cheryl Benner illustrated the book.

Dan and Fran Boltz have lived in Vernon Township since 1976, with Fran teaching in township schools for 25 years. Working as a fabric salesman for about 35 years, Dan was self-employed in his own textile sales company. Dan co-founded the Northeast Fabric Representatives Association and co-founded the Northeast Fabric Shows. He was the keynote speaker for the International Quilt Festival in Lancaster, Pa.

On display at the presentation will be the beautiful quilt featuring Dan’s pants, made by one of his best needle worker, a Mennonite from Belleville, Pa., who pieced it together, while an Amish woman did the quilting. He will also speak about quilting and about setting up patterns, themes, and coordination. The presentation is free and open to the public.