The Toys are Talking!
"The Toys are Talking" is a series of short stories about the Fennimore Doll & Toy Museum exhibits and special events. We hope you enjoy these stories told from the perspective of Gumby and other residents.
The most current story is printed here. Previous stories are indexed and may be viewed in pdf format.
Jimmy and Teddy
Teddy is a Teddy Bear and is 53 years old. He was given to his dad, Louie, on Louie's 1st birthday or as a Christmas gift. Teddy spent many years on the top shelf of a closet in the back bedroom of Louie's mother's house in Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin.
Jimmy is a Monkey and is 48 years old. He was born from "My Toy" company in 1961 and originally adopted by a family who later threw him out along side the road near Dorchester, Iowa. Grandfather Oswald worked for the county operating a bulldozer and found Jimmy alongside the road upon arriving at a county jobsite. He picked up Jimmy and took him home that evening to Grandmother Mary, who sewed and washed him. Jimmy was the favorite of all the grandchildren. When Grandpa Oswald died, Donna was in 4th grade and there was a household / farm auction. Donna and her family searched every wagon prior to the auction to find Jimmy and took Jimmy to live with them.
Teddy and Jimmy live a comfortable lifestyle with their dad and mom, Louie and Donna in Roscoe, Illinois. Teddy and Jimmy are treated to a huge amount of love and affection.
As the Velveteen Rabbit states, "Real isn't how you are made... It is a thing that happens to you. When someone loves you for a long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become REAL... Generally, by the time you are REAL, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby."
Teddy and Jimmy are really, really loved. Teddy and Jimmy are REAL!
Submitted by Louie and Donna Bernabei, Roscoe IL
