Dear quilting sister in Yukon: Glad that you are finally having summer. We've been having more of it than I care for... Many records broken, both for heat and lack of rain.
What I am missing is our guild! Like the more social aspects of your shop - which sounds like a wonderful one - we don't meet over the summer. It's sad to have seen so many negative posts on quilt guilds here, as the one I am in is wonderful. Sure, some are more friendly than others, but that's going to be true in any group.
Locally, I am so fortunate to have a wide range of shops. Within an hour's drive, there are several "real" LQS. Plus, within a half-hour are two Mennonite shops. One carries quite a lot of fabric - as much as many of the LQS. The other has maybe 200-250 bolts in the corner of a "general store." Neither has the atmosphere of LQS, and for truest colors you have to carry the bolts over to the door or window. However, their prices are hard to beat (just paid $7.50/yd for regular quilting cotton and $8/yd for batiks). They carry Moda, Fabri-Quilt, RJR, etc. The same fabrics as you'd find @ LQS.
My favorite resource, however, is right here! Both this site, where I get so many great ideas, tips and inspiration, and the internet in general. It's so amazing to be able to "chat" with people from around the world and to "hear" their thoughts.