Meet The Folks!
October 13, 2008 - Audrey Gilliam
“Look what I’ve got here,” said Audrey Gilliam to the young man leaning on her counter. “Let’s do some origami.”
The youngster’s expression changed from tired boredom to concentration as he watched Audrey’s deft fingers fold the white sheet of paper.
“What is this?” she asked.
The adults in the room all started to give answers, but Audrey was firm.
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October 6, 2008 - Jerry Burton
Stepping through the door of the Knife Shop at the Ozark Folk Center is like stepping back through time. The light that filters past the Civil War era equipment, swords and clothing seems to come from an earlier age. The scents are those of a time far past when bone and metal were integrated into our lives. Even the air seems drier and different, somehow.
“The knife was the most important tool to the early settler,” explains Jerry Burton, knife maker. “He used it around the house, in the woods, for protection and for everything he did.”
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October 1, 2008 - Genevieve Dawson
Though she moves a little slowly now, Genevieve Dawson's eyes still sparkle with the free spirit of the young girl who used to run down the lane behind the dairy cows with her eyes closed. "And then one day, I ran into the fence," she said, laughing. "I still have the scars."
September 22, 2008 - Kaye Miller
A native Arkansan, Kaye Miller knows good food. As manager of the Williams Tavern Restaurant at
Historic Washington State Park, Kaye was responsible for the creation of delicacies such as Earthquake Cake and Jalapeno Corn Bread.
“In three years at Old Washington,” said Grady Spann, Superintendent of the
Ozark Folk Center, “I never ate a bad meal at the restaurant when Kaye was there.”
September 15, 2008 - Bill Standard
The extraordinary nature of the wood shop at the Ozark Folk Center shows long before you get to the door. The little garden to the side hides carved bears and wood sprites amid the lush vegetables. Petunias drape out over the carved dogwood flowers on the cedar window box. The warm red paint is accented by cheery blue-checked café style curtains. The round sign next to the door holds carved toys and dangles a carved spirit face. The wooden banner across the sign proclaims “Wood Shop.”
“Howdy Folks,” booms the big voice as you push open the door. Bubba sits behind the counter in his trademark bib overalls. “C’mon in.”
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