Wilma Fish, "Musician, Author, Storyteller and Dollmaker" is well known in the Ozarks and throughout the Midwest Region for her folk music concerts, her knowledge of folk music instruments, folk music lore and dried apple dolls. Through the years she has collected more than 30 folk music instruments which she knows how to pluck, stroke, hit with small hammers, blow into or otherwise activate to accompany herself as she uses her most precious instruments, her voice, to sing songs of aching sorrow, boundless joy or frisky humor. Her instrument collection includes dulcimers (mountain and hammered) guitar, ukelin, five string banjo, and mandolin. With "harp" in the name are: autoharp, harp zither, French harp, folk harp, and the awesome humanatone (nose flute). Other instruments are the hurdy gurdy (wheel bagpipe), pianoette, violin-uke, fiddle, and Russian balalaika. She is in demand to play at special events from anniversaries to folk festivals, club galas and folklore classes at regional colleges and universities.
  She established her apple doll business in 1966, which has grown into the most popular tourist attractions in the region. Wilma’s Ozark Mountain Dolls have been shipped all over the world and Wilma is one of the few remaining apple doll makers of today. She still operates her doll shop in her home at Ava, near Romance, Missouri, where she grew up surrounded by childhood memories of various chores and stories shared with her family and the Ozark Mountain People, their culture and dialect.
  In 1982, Wilma wrote her book, "Wilma’s Apple Dolls and Romance". The book opens with a brief, well-illustrated set of instructions for making apple dolls, down to the supplies needed. The book then gives an account of a true-life story about growing up in the Ozarks, in the mid-20th century and a history of the Romance, Missouri post office community. Her dolls are easily recognized because of her unique artistry in creating them in typical dress and occupation of the Ozark pioneers. A gifted story teller, Wilma goes on to describe life in Romance back in the days when the motor car was beginning to foreshadow the demise of Ozark County’s small farming community post offices. She tells a story in local dialect, which she represents in print perfectly. Her musical perception for the sound of each word used, spoken or sung and her sense of rhythm are reflected in her easy spelling and sentence phrasing.


  When the Romance post office closed, the directional sign was removed, but Wilma successfully petitioned the Missouri Highway Department to have it replaced and Romance remains on the map. It’s history and the dialect of the area has been preserved in Wilma’s stories and history.

WILMA’S OZARK MOUNTAIN DOLLS OF ROMANCE
Wilma Fish, Route 7, Box 7040, Ava, Missouri 65608
417-683-3881
dollmaker@getgoin.net    www.ozarkmountaindolls.com

FOR A UNIQUE GIFT TO A SPECIAL FRIEND WHO HAS EVERYTHING, GIVE DRIED APPLE HEAD DOLLS !!!