Ernie, we saw you arrive last spring. Why then do they say you are native to Dolltown?

I was born in the valley, and grew up here. But we have relatives in the States. So in my teens I was sent to live with my uncle and his family and lived there for a long time.

How do you know this area so well then?

From a young age my family here brought me with them, hunting, fishing, berry picking. Even when I lived across the border, we would return for food harvesting and family ceremonies. 

Do you have your own family?

I was married but lost my wife in a car crash. We have a son, Abe, who lost  his ability to walk in that accident. I came back to the valley first to get settled.

Mokidin, my sister brought my son from the States a couple of months ago.  He loves it here. Everybody is so nice!

We notice that you spend a lot of time with Dolltown's vintage, Terri Lee. Can you share with us your relationship to Terri?

Well, I help Terri out a lot. She can't get around the way she used to but she does a lot for the town and the valley. She is very good to all the dolls coming and going. She makes sure everybody has a place to stay when they arrive, and something to eat. And then we find all of them homes. Terri is a great lady...

Well, she sounds pretty fond of you too. Is there something going on there?

Terri and I keep each other company.  We like to watch movies together, and keep up on the news. We have both been around for a long time. And I'm glad that Terri has her friend Queeny with her now. Because sometimes I am gone for weeks at a time. Fishing down at the big river, or camping up the hills to gather huckleberries. Terri doesn't like to leave Dolltown much. And they need her here.

We've seen you two dancing at the Community Centre....

Gotta stay in shape right?

Okay, gotta go. I'm heading down to the Community Center now. We are putting on a feast for more newcomers... 

Thanks for your time! I think I'll head down for a bit to eat myself. I've heard there's huckleberry pie!

Sure! Come on down!

We talk to Terri Lee, the oldest dolly here in Dolltown...

Terri, can you tell us how Dolltown started?

Well, Dolltown has been around for a long, long time. But it's a little like Brigadoon, and can only be accessed at the right time.

You-Know-Who thought a thought at the right time, and Dolltown appeared to her. And this time it stayed, because YKW kept the thought alive, inhabiting it with the dolls she had-me and a few others. And by opening the doors, so to speak, to dolls as a kind of retreat.

A retreat?

Yes, Dolltown is now a Come and Go place for busy dolls. Dolls who have jobs- in acting, photo stories, eBooks, marketing, advertising, and as companions for humans. Dolltown provides the Dolls a place to live and work from, hang out with others, and be cared for.

And most of the dolls have agents who get them into photo stories, eBooks, YouTube videos, advertising spots.

Advertising?

Yes! Lots of the dolls would love to get an advertising contract with the right company. Like Jennifer Aniston and the Aveeno company. Or  Matthew...Matthew McConaughey and the Lincoln company. I, myself, remember in my younger days when I worked with Dove soap in the 50's. And with Heated Carmen Curlers, very modern in the 70's.  Sigh...

How many Dolls are there in Dolltown?

Well, YKW likes to say we have 100 dolls here. But she is fond of that number, and just uses it as a projection to aim for. She wants to be sure Dolltown is set up for growth in the future.

So the reality is-there are usually a lot fewer.  But if YKW has her way, that number would gradually increase as Dolltown becomes known for quality work, and its beautiful, interesting and talented Dolls.

And after she gets up into the attic to get the Sashas, Transformers, Masters of the Universe, and Barbies...

What do the dolls do in Dolltown?

Dolltown has a Community Centre where everyone gathers, a Day Care, a Cinema, a couple of Cafe's, shops, a Salon, a Ballroom, small and big houses, lots of countryside with rivers, meadows and country houses. So there's always lots to do.

And of course, we have Dolltown Abbey up on the hill, across the meadow, where  the Iples live and The Others gather...

I, myself, have a big old house in the country. My old friend, Queeny, lives here with me now. Queeny and I both care for Child Dolls, Babies, and Teen Mom Dolls. And we always have Dollies coming and going until they find their own place here in Dolltown, or move on....

Ernie, my, uh, special friend, and his Doll people have been here forever. They live in the surrounding area and mingle with all the Dolls here at our events.

Ernie is a, uh, great help. Very handy guy...

Excuse me, I think we have a new arrival. I have got to go...

Okay! Thank you for your time, Terri!

Can we talk again? You must have lots of stories.

Yes, of course! Come back and see me again sometime....