$1 votes go to Breast Center
Holmes for Her co-owner Alice Pittman shows off the variety of fundraising bras in her store.
One Cedartown store has come up with a novel idea to help out those who suffer from breast cancer via a contest that continues until Halloween.
Local residents can donate a dollar per vote for their favorite design in the first ever Bras for a Cause contest being held by 301 Holmes for Her through Oct. 31, and stop by and see the display of 48 different designs for themselves.
Store owners Patsy Casey and Alice Pittman came up with the idea as one of their jewelry suppliers Brighton sought ways to promote a new Breast Cancer Awareness bracelet for sale at Holmes for Her.
“Every year we do something, whether it was selling the bracelets or making donations,” Pittman said. “We’ve even had a breakfast for breast cancer survivors.”
Pittman said the two tossed about ideas until they struck upon one that seemed to bring the issue to the forefront in a clear way: bra decorations.
So the pair bought 48 bras they then offered to customers to decorate for a $10 donation, money which when added with the votes those fancy bras get from the public will total up to the donation they will make in November to The Breast Center at Floyd.
“We’ve got some really talented people around here who have come up with these ideas,” Pittman said. “It’s amazing.”
All of the bras were brought back in and are on display on the store’s wall. Votes cost $ 1 for each cast.
The winner of the contest will get a $ 100 gift certificate, and secondand third-place winners will get $50 and $25 certificates to use at 301 Holmes for Her. Pittman said that was part of their personal donation to the contest as well.
“Every vote people cast is really a donation to help a good cause,” Pittman said.
Those interested in voting can stop by during store hours from 10 a. m. to 6 p. m. on weekdays except for Wednesdays when they close at 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday.
Historic Van Wert Methodist Church, one of the oldest structures in Polk County, continued to make history with the 10th annual Veteran’s Memorial Service that celebrated the fallen soldiers buried at Van Wert Cemetery.
Alongside ceremonial gun and cannon firing, the 28 confirmed soldiers buried at Van Wert were honored with roses, a roll call, and a trumpet performance of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”
“We mention and honor vets from the community and county,” church member Robin Thackston said. “We have Boy Scout Troupe 23 here, guest speakers Charles Lunsford and Reverend Shepard are here today, author Kurt Graham is here, and community members are joining us.”
The f allen soldiers ranged from the Georgia Militia, The Civil War, World War 2, and the Korean War. Those mentioned were Albert W. Anderson, Henry M. Brown, William Newton Brumbelow, William J. Clark, David Doyle Heslip, William Hubbard, Joseph D. Morgan, William E. Nettles, William C. Spence, William Newton Strange, James E. Thompson, Abraham Huddleston York, Jasper Newton York, Larkin Blake York, Thomas J . Thompson, L. Q. C Thompson, John Carmichael, James M. Ware, Henry Kingsberry, Jonathan Long, Jordon Farmer, Joseph C. Hitchcock, John R. Heaton, James R. Robinson, Johnathan D. Williams, John Wesley Campbell, and Johnny Howard O’Neal.
With each name call, The Sons of Confederate Veterans walked with black clothed widows to place roses on the soldier’s grave, and musket rifles were fired with each rose placement. Once each soldier was given individual attention, SCV formed a line and unanimously fired their rifles several times alongside celebratory cannon firings. Smoke filled the area, but the sound of “When Johnny Comes Marching Home” quickly grabbed the attendee’s attention. Patrick Malin and Jacob Shaver were the trumpet players performing the age old tune often used to remember The Civil War and the soldiers involved.
With the song finished, the various church members, speakers, widows, and SCV members went into the church for music and food.
Van Wert Methodist is a historical landmark in Polk, so the building’s graveyard features a wide variety of soldiers from various time periods.
“This area was originally inhabited by Indians until white people arrived and took the land,” Thackton shared. “They didn’t feel remorse because they considered them savages, when in actuality they were civilized, cultural people. Over time a local farmer decided to build a church of his own and Van Wert was born.”
Those looking for more information on the Van Wert Cemetery’s inhabitants or the history of the building can visit http:// hrcga. org/ polkcounty- history/, http:// www.exploregeorgia.org/ listing/4930-historic-vanwert-methodist-church, or pay the church a visit in person at 72 Church St. in Rockmart.