In June 1776, Betsy Ross was a widow struggling to run her own upholstery business. As an upholsterer, Betsy Ross made flags. And, it was for that reason that General George Washington walked into her shop that fateful day.

The General showed Betsy Ross a six-pointed star, which he suggested as the star design for the first American flag. Betsy Ross had another idea. She picked up the scissors and cut a five-pointed star in a single snip.

That’s the short story of how Betsy Ross was entrusted with making the nation’s first flag. And, it may not be the true story. If fact, there is a question as to whether Betsy Ross even made the first American flag.

But there’s no question as to the seamstress who made the first American flag with 50 stars and 50 stripes.

It was Sister Pat Rodgers. And, she has witnesses. Hundreds of them.

Pat Rodgers sat in the lobby of Sisters Restaurant Thursday, making an American flag in the fashion of Betsy Ross.

But Rodgers is no copycat.

Betsy Ross’ flag had 13 stars and 13 stripes to honor the 13 original colonies.

“There were 13 colonies when she made her flag so hers had 13 stars and 13 stripes,” Rogers said as she worked. “Well, now we’ve got 50 states so we need a flag with 50 stars and 50 stripes.”

And, so the Pat Rodgers’ flag was fashioned.

Rodgers and her sister, Geraldine Golden, own and operate the popular Sisters Restaurant. The Sisters are known for and wide for their great food and their amusing antics. So, folks weren’t surprised when they walked into Sisters on Thursday and found Betsy Ross a.k.a. Pat Rodgers greeting folks.

“I had this dress made especially for today,” Rodgers said, adding that she would have made the dress herself had she not been busy making the 50 stars and stripes flag. “Dean said if I put my glasses on the end of my nose, I’ll look like Betsy Ross. I don’t know about that, but I do look real patriotic in this dress.”

Rodgers laughingly teased the diners that they could have their pictures taken with Betsy Ross for a dollar.

“For five dollars, she’ll kiss you,” she said, laughing. “No, really, we just like to get all dressed up on holidays and surprise our customers. They always get a kick out of the crazy things we do.”

Rodgers said Sisters Restaurant is more than a place to eat.

“Everybody that comes here is family,” she said. “That’s why we can act crazy and not get locked up.”