Tamarack commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness

BECKLEY, W.Va. — Half a mile is no big deal to a long distance runner, but half a mile is an extraordinary number when it’s measuring a pink ribbon scarf knitted and crocheted one loop at a time.

The world’s longest pink ribbon scarf is a collaborative effort by nearly 90 women and one man, including Tamarack textile artists and staff members.

Started in February 2010 by a group of women from Fayette County, West Virginia, who wanted to honor a friend they’d lost to breast cancer.

Terri’s Tribute was founded to raise money for scholarships for children who’ve lost a parent to breast cancer. The project is in memory of Terri Lynne Massey, who left her husband and three children behind when she died in October 2009 at the age of 39.

The scarf is made of hand knitted and crocheted pink sections, collected from 17 states, and darned together to reach 2,100 feet to date, and wraps around Tamarack’s interior twice. On March 1, the scarf was 32 feet long. On Oct. 1, it reached 1,824 feet.

“The original idea was to make a visual representation created by women’s hands, which, when put together became one strong statement about the common thread women share: breast cancer,” Cindy Whitlock, Tamarack Marketing Director, said. “Our latest goal is to reach 2,640 feet by October 30.”

“When visitors enter, they often gasp in astonishment.” No monetary donations are required to participate, and anyone who can knit or crochet may add a section. “We don’t care how long the sections are, it’s the total length of the effort when it’s all darned together that makes the impressive statement,” said Whitlock.

Tamarack set up a hands-on area where anyone may create additions to the scarf and learn the traditional skills. Knitting needles, crochet hooks and yarn are in a basket beside a comfortable rocking chair. Visitors are encouraged to leave tribute notes whether they participate in the project or not. Hundreds of fliers with scarf instructions have been distributed since Oct. 1.

“We’ve talked to a lot of survivors, people who’ve been touched by breast cancer, and they have an immediate connection. Last week we received a piece in the mail from Oklahoma, and every day we’ve collected more sections.

“Often we see a guest sit down and crochet or knit a couple rows while they’re here, then fill out a tribute card in someone’s honor. It’s been truly an inspirational experience for everyone,” she said.

Instructions are available on Tamarack’s website tamarackwv.com services@tamarackwv.com.

Several Tamarack artisans, who have developed a product line of cause-related items, are featured during the month of October. Those artisans have donated to a breast cancer cause from the proceeds of their sales.

The Tamarack attracts approximately 450,000 visitors annually, is open daily from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. in Beckley, West Virginia.