By Paula Mitchell
At one time, there were no stores to purchase toys. Boys and girls had toys traditionally handmade from nature’s offerings. Usually, birthdays and Christmas brought these handmade items to their surprise. One such toy was the corn husk doll.
The Native Americans introduced the corn husk doll which was made out of dried leaves or from the husk of a corn cob. Every part of the ear of corn was used to make this beautiful doll. These dolls have been made by the Northeastern Native Americans probably since the beginning of the corn agriculture more than a thousand years ago.
The brittle dried cornhusks became soft if soaked in water and produced finished dolls sturdy enough for children’s toys. The settler then adopted the making of these dolls.
Instructions for making a corn husk doll are as follows:
Start by soaking the husks in water for 10 minutes, and then blot excess water with a paper towel.
Lay four or more husks (always an even number) in a stack. Using thin twine, tie the husks together, about 1 inch from the top. Separate the husks into equal portions and fold halves down, covering the twine. Using thin twine, tie husks about 1 inch down, creating the head.
Roll a single husk and tie at the ends to make the arms. Position the arms below the knot at the neck, between equal portions of the husks. Tie the waist. For a female doll, trim the husks to an even length.
For a male doll, separate the legs into equal portions. Tie at the knees and ankles. Trim evenly.
Glue corn silk for the hair, and add hats or bonnets.
The dolls had no faces.
Perhaps the reader has made a corn husk doll, or better yet, still has one somewhere. At one time, the writer had each student make the corn husk doll in the classroom, as an art project pertaining to the Appalachian culture.
Corncob Jelly is a most unusual Appalachian jelly, coming out with a surprising color and tastes much like apple jelly.
Corncob Jelly
12 ears of fresh corn
4-1/2 cups water
4 cups sugar
1.2 fluid ounces of liquid fruit pectin
Slice grains from corncob and set aside for other use. Place cobs in water and bring to a boil. Cover and cook around 15 minutes. Remove cobs and strain liquid through cheesecloth. If necessary, add enough water to make 3 cups. In saucepan, place liquid and mix in sugar. Bring to a boil and cook until the sugar is dissolved. Stir in pectin and cook 1 minute longer. Remove from heat, skim, and spoon into sterilized jars. Seal and store. Yields: 3 cups or 2 one-half pints.
Enjoy!
Kindness allows everyone to enjoy life.
- When driving, pull over and allow the hurried car behind one to pass.
- Take a shopping cart back for someone wishing to do so.
- Always smile…one uses less muscles in doing so.
- Let someone else have the parking space.
- Do neck rolls.
The master of the art department seems to be directing the colors on the mountains. Having been so starved for rain this summer, the leaves will no doubt fall prematurely now that the rains have arrived. The measurements of rainfall vary depending on where one resides. In this neck of the woods, more than 8 inches have fallen, within the last few days. Perhaps there will be a last hurrah for hay making.
Quotes for the week are as follows:
“I feel beautiful when I’m at peace with myself. When I’m serene, when I’m a good person, when I’ve been considerate of others.” — Elle Macpherson
“Only love can break a heart, only love can mend it again.” — Gene Pitney
“Just keep taking chances and having fun.” — Garth Brooks
October birthdays include the following:
Carson Mitchell and Liz Bodkin, first; Nathan Puffenbarger, third; Billy Eckard, Daryl Bodkin and Mary Jane Bolton, fourth; Ryan Mitchell, fifth; Angie Nelson, sixth; Rodney Kiser, seventh; Patty Bolton, Galen Crummett and Junior Homan, eighth; Stanley Simmons and Jim Schulz, ninth; Travis Owens and Marie Simmons, 10th; Braden McClanahan, Shirley Mitchell and Kathy Eye, 13th; and Ann Thompson, 16th.
The friendship is free when sitting on the porch swing to hear the “Talk of the Grove.”
Justin, April, Colby and Chloe Simmons traveled over the weekend to Wake Forest, North Carolina, to attend a wedding.
Puffy white mushrooms have popped up everywhere. The most unique one is a full circle situated in the gym field.
Phil Downs has returned to his residence after another visit to the hospital. His cousin, Rose Smith of Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, has spent a week with him, assisting him with his needs.
The South Fork has risen with water; enough to go tubing down the river…muddy as it is.
This week’s clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
- Tuberculosis has existed for millions of years.
- The first batch of Coca-Cola was brewed in 1886 in an Atlanta backyard.
- NASCAR was founded in 1948 by William France, Sr., with the help of several other drivers of the time.
- The sum of all the numbers on a roulette wheel is 666.
- Hammocks were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus, who discovered the practical use from the West Indies natives.
Concerns are for Bob Adamson, Dyer Anderson, John Ashley, Roger Ashley, Mercedes Aumann, Richard Bennett, “Bo” Boggs, Marie Cole, Christian Dasher, Phil Downs, Benny Evick, Isaac Eye, Linda Eye, Marie Eye, Mary Eye, Thelma Fleisher, Carl Gant, David Gillespie, Lola Graham, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Marlene Harman, Adam and Jennifer Harper, Missy Harrison, Marvin Hartman, Steve and Armanda Heavner, the Grace Hedrick family, Starr Hedrick, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, George Hevener, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Virgil Homan, Jr., Adalbert Hoover, Keith Hoover, Myrtle Hoover, Tim L. Hoover, Debbie and Enos Horst, Lisa and Mike Jamison, Jessica Janney, Alice Johnson, Richard Judy, Ruthlene Judy; Marsha Keller, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, O’Dell Lambert, Robert Lambert, Ronnie Lambert, Rex Landis, Roger and Skip Mallow, Yvonne Marsh, Ed May, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Neil McLaughlin, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, John Morford, Bill Mullenax, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryl Paine, Andy Pond, Janice Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, Alda Propst, Janis Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Tom Rader, Brandon Reel, Charles Rexrode, Jason Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, the Pam Rexrode family, Dennis Riggleman, Mike Roberts, Donna Ruddle, Jenny Ruddle, Mary Sawyers, Brittany Shriver, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Sandra Vandevander, Amy Vaus, Judy Waggy, Estelle Wagner, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Judy Williams and Ann and Ed Wimer.
