In Memory Of

Dedicated to my Mom and club members who have passed since 2007.

I wish you didn't have to go away.

Let's talk of dolls, just one more day.

Ginny, Madame Alexander, Horseman, and Hitty too.

There's so many things I could have learned from you.

But you have gone and I'm still here.

My memories of you are so very dear.

And Even though I must say adieu.

My life was blessed, because of you.

                                                                                     Sue Spinney Glidden, 05/10/14

My Mom, Trudy G.
       As adults I'm not sure which one of us, mom or me, got the other interested in the doll collecting hobby, it seems like it just happened one day that we were both hooked.  I always wished I had kept my childhood dolls and mom longed to replace hers. Although I willingly gave up my dolls, under peer pressure, Mom did not. Her dolls were taken from her and given away by her mother who one day told her she was too old to play with dolls.   

I remember always wanting a doll house and Mom did too.  One  Friday after Thanksgiving  Mom and I went to a craft fair at the Brewer Auditorium where we met The Chase family.  They had just opened a miniature shop, Villiage Miniatures, in Hampden and had a booth at the show. We spent a lot of time looking at the minis and tiny dollhouse dolls.  At their booth we also learned about other fairs and shows that sold minis and dolls.   We began attending two or three shows annually and our collections grew.  Although we were mostly  interested in small dolls, we also found larger dolls that we couldn't resist.  I chose dolls that had a life like appearance and delicately detailed facial expressions. Mom chose bride dolls, and dolls that wore frilly, lacy clothes. Our favorite dolls together were the American Girl Doll Kit. Mom liked Kit because Kit was born in 1924, the same as Mom, and grew up in the depression therefore Mom could relate to Kit's story. I chose Kit because I found a photo of my Mom when she was Kit's age, she actually looked like Kit and Kit's story was a way for me to learn more about what my mother's childhood was like. Growing up during The Depression. The other was Hitty, a six inch wooden doll. The original Hitty was purchased in an antique shop New York by Author Rachel Field and Illustrator Dorothy Lathrop, who later wrote and illustrated the book Hitty Her First Hundred Years.  Many artists have since carved Hitty type dolls which enabled us to have a Hitty of our own.  During the last 10 years of her life Mom, my sister and I spent many hours making vignettes, clothes, accessories, stories and adventures for Hitty, just as Rachel and Dorothy had done with their original Hitty.  It was a wonderful way to spend time with our aging and failing mother. I'm grateful for that time and sharing our hobby together. Mom passed away in May of 2013 at the age of 88 1/2.   I miss the fun and sharing we had through this Hobby and although it's not the same I'm trying to enjoy it without her. I love you Mom.  xxoo

1925 Age 18MO

November 2011

Maine-ly Dolls Club Members

Dee B. passed away on March 28, 2014 with family by her side.  Dee joined our club in 2002 after moving to the area.  Although one of the more quiet members of the group, if you sat beside her at a meeting it was a joy to share conversation with her.  Of all the dolls in her collection, Ginny was her favorite.  We will especially miss her sweet smile and friendship

.

 Helen C. passed away at her home  on October 27, 2012 at the age of 87.   When asked why she joined Maine-ly Dolls Club, she replied, “I had a few dolls that were very special to me.  When two women from Millinocket invited me to join, I decided I would like to.  Then I started becoming a doll collector.”    With transportation assistance from her daughter, Barbara, Helen attended regular meetings, her last being our October 13th meeting, just two weeks before her passing.  We will miss her bright, cheery smile and enthusiasm at club activities.

Helen with one of her favorite dolls. “I purchased this baby doll from a former club member a few years ago. Her tag says, “Happy Baby 1924″. I had a doll like her as a young girl. I dressed this doll in a dress that my mother made for my

daughter many years ago.”

Nancy C passed away on November 29, 2010.
Although Nancy never felt comfortable taking an office, she did serve a term as secretary and was always active on committees and eager to invite new members.  We’ll miss her laugh and off the cuff comments while we’re trying to conduct a business meeting.  Many a president has had to shake the gavel to silence our Nancy; wish we still could.  She was very generous with her time and donations to our fundraisers.