IT STARTED as a simple conver-
Bettie Wilson of Stafford County was at Image Studio in Spotsylvania County, keeping her regular appointment with longtime friend and stylist Janice Lancaster.
"Janice mentioned that a group of local folks were doing the Tea for the Cure event again in October
Wilson immediately thought
She noted that the class is a free-form sort of thing that has continued for years, with students of varied skill levels learning from Johnson and sharing with other artists who've become like family.
With Lancaster's call for help in mind, Wilson appealed to the 20 or so in the group to donate paintings or any other works of art or handiwork to the 2005 Fashions and Tea for the Cure.
The event, to be held Oct. 30 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Fredericksburg Elks Lodge, is a a combination tea party and fashion show that features models who have survived cancer or are currently fighting it.
More than 300 guests attended last year's event, raising some $15,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Wilson said that many in her art class had heard of the event and took a keen interest in helping.
"It's a sad thing, I guess, but if you mention breast cancer to any sizable group like that, there are going to be lots of people who know someone or have a family member who's been touched by the disease," Wilson said.
Though they didn't talk much about specifics of whom they knew or how cancer had affected them, Wilson said several in the group--including Johnson--said they'd do something.
"They're not all in yet, but when it's all said and done, I'm thinking there will be seven or eight paintings or other pieces of art for the silent auction," said Wilson, who's giving a lace shawl she made by hand.
Johnson, who's donating a recent watercolor to be auctioned off, said he has tried to donate to the fight against cancer ever since he watched a close friend wither away from the disease.
"It was my son's godfather, Wilbur Chance Sr. of Fredericksburg," said Johnson, a longtime art teacher and artist in the city.
Watching Chance's long battle with the disease and feeling the loss of his friend convinced Johnson that he would do everything he could to aid in the battle against the disease.
"Through the years I've donated paintings to all sorts of groups fighting different types of cancer," he said. "You hope it will make a difference."
Linda J. Barker, co-chair of this year's Fashions and Tea for the Cure, wants to remind folks that last year the event sold out, so they need to get their tickets soon.
For information or tickets, she said, those interested should call Debbie Bliss at 540/371-4886.
Barker noted that the fashion show is being done by Carol Sullivan of CIS Sportswear of Fredericksburg, and that all clothes will be modeled by women touched by the disease.
Lancaster, who lauded the many volunteers planning this year's event, noted that local businesses and craftsmen had donated all sorts of items.
She added that a special blend
"It's a green tea with pink rose petals," she said of the blend being served and sold at the event by the Fredericksburg shop Perfect to a Tea.
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