In 1979, 10 women in and around Christian County possessed the joy, know-how and desire to create what would eventually become the Pennyrile Doll Club — a special collective dedicated to a niche hobby fit for one and all.
Of those, just Patsy Woosley remains.
If only the other nine — Frazia McDonald, Katherine Miles, Ann Cost, Nell Gilkey, Jennie Gray, Ouida Foster, Mildred Major, Elizabeth Yancey and Mary Lou Higgins — knew the kind of legacy being left from their vision, what joy would they possess?
Last Thursday afternoon at Four Seasons Catering near Hopkinsville, a grateful eight of nine members — and a pair of close relatives — celebrated the group’s 45th Anniversary, taking just a few moments to reflect and remember on the good times, while looking ahead at what’s to come.
Those in attendance: President Mary Ellen Lassiter, Secretary Marsha Andrews, Historian Carol McAskill, as well as Donna Chilton, Linda Glass, Hedy Price, Betty Thompson and Beth Watts.
Are you interested in Madame Alexander? Do you have stacks of original Barbies from Mattel? Can you not get enough of the American Girl collection? Ever buy into the 1980’s and 1990’s hype of the Cabbage Patch Kids? Did you snag any porcelains at a local tag sale or consignment shop? Have you had a bunch of vintage toys, like Raggedy Ann and Andy, passed down from dearly departed family? Have you never gotten rid of those advertising or Disney edition dolls? Maybe you like making clothes and accessories from smaller patterns?
These ladies know a place. And that place, Lassiter says, is with them — referring to an article once printed in the Doll Castle News Magazine.
So, why do they collect?
Glass said it’s because she “had three sons.”
McAskill said she “once saw a doll she always wanted in a magazine,” bought it, and the desire only grew.
Price, who recently completed a life-like babe with sewn hair and real weights, said she’s just “always loved dolls” and “always loved children.” After their sixth, Price said her husband laughed and boasted: “I’ll buy you any doll you want, if we can stop there.”
Andrews said she, and many others, used to parse through the toys at Montgomery Ward and Cayce-Yost — hoping to come away with the next big treasure. The hunt never subsided.
Watts said she has one of Foster’s dolls sitting in her highchair, which has to be at least 80 years old now, with a little plate and a cup.
Thompson, meanwhile, said she was dating her husband, all those years ago, when they went to Canada and he bought her a doll.
She still has the two dolls she first got as a child, and kept her collection a secret — until Foster came along.
Chilton kept her “Tiny Tears” from when she was little, and she has — among many things — a bride doll that’s not on display, as well as scores of accessories filling her curio cabinets.
Lassiter has also loved dolls since she was “itty-bitty,” and never could let the hobby go.
These women have seen an entire history of collecting unfold before their eyes. From mail orders and trade shows, department stores and boutiques, to brick-and-mortar options shifting into online kiosks and auction sites like eBay, the chase is different even from 20 years ago.
And between these gals must be thousands upon thousands of dolls of different sizes, shapes and nationalities — some extremely valuable, others worth no more than a few pennies.
All, however, priceless.
Amid this joy and delight in their eyes remains an immediate and palpable heartache. Five have been lost within their ranks in the last year, including Foster, Dorotha Nell Norfleet, Peggy Vinson, Gertrude Bullock and Melissa Jones — whose daughter, Jennifer, runs Oakland Manor and Four Seasons, and continues to host and keep close vigil on the endearing party.
Those interested in learning more, or perhaps wishing to join the club, can email: marylassiter@myyahoo.com.
The group meets monthly on the fourth Thursday, and is certainly open to more than just women.
A Doll’s Story
