Page 59 - Coffee County

well. Fran has four grandchildren but Sara Polk is the one that seems to be following in her footsteps. When she was younger, Fran brought her to the sewing machine and started her out with a piece of paper. She drew a shape on it and then had Sara sew the shape without using thread. This taught her how to follow the lines. Once she mastered that, she moved on to sewing pieces of fabric together. It was not long before Sara was using a serger, a specialized sewing machine used to prevent material from fraying at the edges. Sara’s sisters, Abbiegale and Brooklynn and Fran’s other granddaughter, Delilah Merritt as well as Cindy’s granddaughter Raegan also take part in the business by becoming models for the new fashions Cindy and Fran create. Raegan’s mother, April, joins by making hair bows to complement the Rae Rae line and the hair bows are used in many of the pictures in which the little models appear.

What began as a small business run from the living room of a home, Cindy and Fran’s enterprises have grown into a well-managed and successful business partnership. Not only do they

sew clothes, they make a wide variety of items that are for sell at the Mall of Douglas. Their artistic endeavors are only limited by their imaginations. The pair has been approached several times about taking their products to the Atlanta Mart. At this time, it is not something on their agenda. They like the way the business is going at this point. They want to continue to create top quality products and are not prepared to move forward by making mass quantities. This may be in their future but the time is not right for them now.

They are happy with their lives, their work, and their families. The work they do affords them with opportunities they may have never had if they had not been sewing. Meeting people, making their customers happy, and sharing a feeling of family with many they meet are only a few of the positive notes in their lives. Cindy recently had the distinct honor of meeting former President Jimmy Carter. Her son, Scott, arranged a luncheon at an inn in Plains. She and the other guests had a wonderful southern lunch with President and Mrs. Carter and delightful conversation. He signed

books and treated them to a tour of his boyhood home. The park ranger cleared the park for them and President Carter sat and told stories under the trees. Cindy describes the day as being truly amazing and an incredibly special day. At the end of the visit, Cindy presented President Carter with a monogrammed tie. He told her, “Beautiful, I do not have one like this.” This is a day she will carry with her for years to come. One can spend only a little time with Cindy and Fran before they become like long lost friends. Stop by the Mall of Douglas one day and visit them in their room in the back corner. Listen to their stories. Walk around and see all their wonderful creations. Cindy says, “My sewing room at the Mall of Douglas is a safe haven. Friends come by to say hello, to talk, laugh or cry. They like to tell me about their day or just sit and chat. It is a wonderful way to create memories. Simply put, this is my passion. I hope in some small way, I can let others know that it is never too late to believe in yourself and that dreams are possible!”  CCM

RIGHT Abbiegale, Brooklynn and Sara. Abbiegale and Brooklynn and Fran’s other granddaughter, Delilah Merritt as well as Cindy’s granddaughter Raegan also take part in the business by becoming models for the new fashions Cindy and Fran create. Raegan’s mother, April, joins by making hair bows to complement the Rae Rae line and the hair bows are used in many of the pictures in which the little models appear. OPPOSITE PAGE Delilah Merritt modeling a peasant dress.