ELLSWORTH – In January 2026, quilters embarked on a landmark creative journey when they received the first clue in a six-part mystery project that culminated in the quilt titled “Twinkle.” This year’s adventure marked the 20th anniversary of Ellsworth Public Library’s Mystery Quilt Program, originally launched by former librarian Julie Belz, who now serves as a substitute librarian.

What began in 2006 as a simple idea with a small group of about 20 local quilters has grown into a far-reaching program that now includes more than 200 participants from eight states, the District of Columbia, and two countries—Sweden and Germany.

“This program is about so much more than quilts,” said EPL Programming Coordinator Caroline Herfindahl. “The quilt may be the vehicle and the tangible result, but it’s really about how shared interests bring people together and build community—even across miles and oceans. This program has become such a staple of EPL that even the COVID-19 pandemic couldn’t stop it.”

Before the pandemic, participants visited the library each week to pick up their clues. When that wasn’t possible during the winter of 2021, librarians adapted by distributing clues via email. The traditional in-person show-and-tell finale was replaced with a virtual gathering and a photo slideshow showcasing completed quilts.

That shift unexpectedly expanded the program’s reach, as participants began sharing the experience with fellow quilters beyond their local communities. Since then, the Mystery Quilt Program has continued to grow, connecting people through creativity, collaboration, and a shared love of quilting.

Community members are invited to stop by the Ellsworth Public Library to view a sampling of this year’s quilts, on display now through April 30. Visitors also won’t want to miss the 20 Years of Mystery Quilt retrospective featured in the local history vault.

“This retrospective includes photos, quilts, or pattern representations of all 20 quilt designs, most of which were created by Julie Belz,” added Herfindahl. “The exhibit honors and celebrates Julie’s creativity, leadership, and dedication over the past 20 years. She is truly the heart and soul of this incredibly successful program, and this is one way we can show our gratitude.”