From the employee reports
In August, Bennett Funeral Service continues its tradition of giving away memorial fans to the community. Since 2013, Bennetts has provided old-fashioned fans to visitors to the Balls Creek Campmeeting and Soldiers Reunion.
Over the next few weeks, Bennett Funeral Service staff will distribute more than 5,000 fans at both events.
The 171st Balls Creek Campmeeting begins on Sunday, August 11th and runs through Sunday, August 25th.
“The Balls Creek Campmeeting is very special to my wife, Rhonda, and me,” said Robbie Bennett. “We grew up with this annual event of preaching and singing under the arbor. We have so many fond memories of this annual event.”
The Bennetts asked Donna Rudisill, director of public relations, to create a fan depicting the Balls Creek camp meeting.
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“This year I focused on the wooden tents that circle the arbor,” Rudisill said. “They represent a variety of colors and architectural designs that set Balls Creek apart from some other campgrounds. As a child, I loved attending campmeetings and staying with my grandparents, Fred and Alda Rudisill, in their tent. I really love designing the hand fan each year because campmeeting represents a rich family history for many families in our community.”
The front of the hand fan also includes the complete event schedule for the 2024 Balls Creek Campmeeting, Rhonda Bennett said.
“Some people collect these memory fans and keep them for many years,” said Robbie Bennett. “Often you will see hand fans from years past decorating the walls of an owner’s tent at Balls Creek Campground; the fans provide a historical timeline of past camp meetings.”
The 2024 Soldiers’ Reunion hand fan will feature the official logo designed by Newton-Conover High School’s Adobe Academy Career Education class led by Marty Isenhour. Bennett Funeral Service staff will also be giving away the hand fans during the week of the 135th Soldiers’ Reunion at Courthouse Square in downtown Newton. Festivities begin Saturday, August 10, and conclude with the parade on Thursday, August 15.
“The Soldiers Reunion is a wonderful opportunity to honor our war veterans and celebrate our community’s heritage,” said Robbie Bennett. “We would like to invite everyone to stop by our booth, say hello and cool off in the mist tent sponsored by Bennett Funeral Service. It will be available on Sunday during the car show and all day Thursday. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Soldiers Reunion and Balls Creek Campmeeting.”
The back of both fan designs includes information about Bennett Funeral Service as well as awards for Best Funeral Home in the Catawba Valley by readers of the Hickory Daily Record and Observer News Enterprise. If you are unable to attend the Soldiers Reunion or Balls Creek Campmeeting, you can stop by any of Bennett Funeral Service’s locations – 7878 NC 10, Newton or 502 First Ave., S., Conover – to pick up a fan.
Founded in 2013 by Robbie and Rhonda Bennett, Bennett Funeral Service is the only locally owned and operated funeral home in Conover. In November 2019, the Bennetts opened their second location in Newton, which serves as their main office. For more information, visit www.bennettfuneralservice.com or call 828-465-2111.
