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Two handmade United States flags are currently on display at Jozabeth's on Seventh Street in Moundsville. They were crocheted by the late Josephine "Honey" Ferris and have been displayed at the store on occasion since they were made. They were first displayed in 1976 as part of Moundsville's U.S. bicentennial celebration.

According to her nieces Libby G. Magnone and Mary Zaid Stees, Ferris was a special home economics teacher who had a passion for needlework and knitting. She taught knitting at Moundsville High School to both men and women. She also established a knitting business which eventually lead to the store where her labors are now being shown. In addition to the two flags on display, other flags are also known to have been made, but it is not known where they are.

The large Tunisian crochet afghan stitched flag on display at the front of the store is a 35-star flag Ferris made in 1975. It was the 18th flag of the country and designed for West Virginia in 1863 and was used until Nevada became a state in 1864. The stars were made with a fishbone crewel stitch.

Magnone estimates it took her aunt about three months to produce the flag. Each panel was made separately and then they were put together.

"She did a lot of needlework," Magnone said. "She liked to do things that were different and challenging."

She also did a lot of research on the flag before starting the project. "She was very interested in flag history," she said.

"She was a unique person," Magnone continued. "She was an innovative teacher and worked with civic groups and organizations teaching whenever she could. She was always working with her hands."

The second flag, which stays in place on the back wall of the store, is a afghan crocheted original 13-star American flag. Magnone notes flags of this kind, while they may look like throws, can only be used for display.

"They have to be treated with the same flag etiquette as a manufactured flag," Magnone explained.

"We have put the large one out when we have room in the store," Magnone said.