Mountain Workshops 2010: Glendale Geppetto

For 15 years, Hardin "Sonny" Hatfield has made toys by hand. His favorite subjects are characters from Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons. - By Derek PooreOf the two picture stories I produced this year at Mountain Workshops, my favorite was about a gentle toymaker in Glendale, Ky. Hardin "Sonny" Hatfield talked my ear off -- and I loved it.

He told me about the Army during World War II. He told me about his extensive vintage toy collection -- he had a story for each piece. He told me about the restaurant he used to run, and the toy museum he used to operate and the antique store he still owns.

And he let me into his life, only for a few days, but I was grateful.

For 15 years, he has made toys by hand. His favorite subjects are characters from Mickey Mouse and Popeye cartoons.

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