The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

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  • Display manager for Tamarack Jenifer Fox arranges some of the displays for Breast Cancer Awareness Month Monday in Beckley. Rick Barbero

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September 28, 2010

The Right Combination

Tamarack set to celebrate events

By Jim Workman Assistant Managing Editor

American Craft Week begins Friday, Oct. 1, the day that also ushers in Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Tamarack is knitting the two events together — literally.

The “world’s longest pink ribbon scarf” is being assembled at Tamarack, while also giving volunteers an opportunity to participate with on-site knitting and crocheting to add to the pink ribbon scarf.

It is currently displayed, hanging throughout the concourse of Tamarack.

You won’t have a hard time finding it.

“Jenifer Fox, our display manager, began hanging it last Monday,” said Cindy Whitlock, Tamarack marketing director. “It took her a week and it wraps around the inside twice.”

The official opening of the display will be Friday. The front entrance of Tamarack will be adorned with a pink ribbon, and a ribbon cutting ceremony will take place there at 9 a.m.

“We expect about 39,000 guests from 25 different states and Canada during October,” Whitlock said. “We’re working on national media coverage and authentication by Guinness. However, the scarf stands on its own merit, a record-sized depiction of love, inspiration and hope for all our sisters.”

Since the installation of the scarf, many visitors have inquired about it.

“The first day, we handed out about 100 flyers,” said Whitlock. It instantly piqued people’s interest.”

A pink ribbon has become the symbol of breast cancer awareness worldwide.

According to the website for Pink Ribbon International, founder Walter Scheffrahn says “The brightness of pink at the same time stands for hope and strength of each individual to fight its personal fight. It stands for the community making this personal fight a community responsibility. It stands for all the efforts of people; fund raisers, medical staff, researchers, students, and volunteers worldwide, working together to find the cure. It stands for the industry proving its mature responsibility towards manufacturing processes, ingredients and products. It stands for equal fundamental rights for all breast cancer survivors whether born in richness or in poverty anywhere on mother earth.”

At Tamarack during October, volunteers may add to the scarf by working on it while they visit or by taking home instructions and sending in pieces as they finish.

“Whether you can spend an hour or a day with us, you are welcome,” Whitlock said. “If you know how to knit or crochet, and would like to spend some time teaching those crafts to our guests, please let us know.”

The scarf was started in February 2010 locally as part of Terri’s Tribute, and currently measures 1,894 feet.

Goals for the length of the scarf is 2,000 feet by Oct. 10, reaching beyond 2,000 feet by the end of the month. 

“We have pink acrylic yarn, knitting needles and crochet hooks, but people are welcome to bring their own, or donate to our collection,” Whitlock said. “Many people may want to start their work here and take it with them.”

Instructions are: Knit on No. 13 needles, casting on 25 stitches and knit as long as the skein allows. To crochet, use a Size G hook, 25 loops, then single crochet one row and double crochet the rest.

 Pieces may be dropped off at Tamarack daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. and will be added onto the existing scarf. Breast cancer awareness information is available.

 To volunteer to help at Tamarack, call Amy Ellis at 304.256.6843 or email services@tamarackwv.com.

— E-mail: jworkman@register-herald.com

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