©
A Mannequins' Story ©
Hattie
Annie
at
the appleton inn
An
Unauthorized Biography
By
Carole
LeRoy, Artist and Creative Genius
hattieannieattheappletioninn@gmail.com
@
The
Appleton Inn
300
W. Prospect Ave.
Appleton,
WI (920) 954-0754
www.theappletoninn.com
The
Appleton Inn Facebook.com
Hattie
Annie Facebook.com
I
will start this tale of woe by introducing myself. My name is Carole
LeRoy and my husband is Gordon Schmiedl. Soon after we married in
the '90's we purchased a large home built in the 1800's, on Prospect
Avenue in Appleton Wisconsin. To our surprise we found ourselves
immediately embroiled in a controversy. There was a neighborhood
petition we were asked to sign. It seemed that our new home was
destine to become a parking lot.
We all worked together to save our homes as well forming the
“Historic
Old Third Ward”
neighborhood.
Later
that year we opened our first Bed & Breakfast and named it The
Appleton Inn.
The house was brick with dark brown trim. Our first paint job was to
paint the trim HOT pink and teal. These colors brought a bit if
attention to this old house so a few years later we calmed the colors
down to purple and HOT green. This was to be the beginning of the
transition from boring to bold and more....
Through the years that followed, we found that the daily work and
upkeep of the Inn was just too much for the two of us to handle. Our
lives seemed incomplete without someone to join us in this joyful
adventure. Within the next week we actively started to look for
someone that could help us with the work load, as well live in and
share “this grand old house” with us.
While
surfing the internet one fine day my prayers were answered, at least
I thought they were, when I came upon this listing. SWF seeking
employment and a home in the Appleton area. “ My name is Hattie
Annie. I have been a mannequin for many years and found that it was
a very lonely profession. My evenings were spent alone in an empty
store, studio or stage yearning for that certain something. It
seems that I was yearning for a family and true love.”
To
facilitate the process, we sent her a plane tickets to The
Outagamie County Airport Appleton
Wisconsin. We warned her that it had been snowing and she should
dress appropriately. We were expecting her the next morning. We woke
up the next day and looked outside at our front porch...There she
was, sitting in a lawn chair frozen solid. She had evidently taken a
red-eye flight and arrived early in the evening while we were
sleeping.
She
was a bit over-dressed with her New York Style long black coat and a
hat with a big black feather plumbing from the brim. At least she
had thought to wear boots. I imagine that she pictured that every
Wisconsin town was surrounded with fields of cows, piled with snow
banks, snow mobiles parked in driveways, trucks with plows anchored
on their front bumpers and plastic deer statues on the front lawns.
She was right about the trucks. What a way to start
a new life in Wisconsin.
We
brought her into the house to defrost. I
invited her into the front hall and had her remove her boots. I
explained that we were a “Shoe Free” B & B, as I handed her
a pair of fuzzy pink slippers. She gazed around in amazement and
lifted her hand to her hat and removed the black feather. I assumed
that she thought it was a bit much. Was she in for a surprise.
I set her
up in one of our finest rooms so she could rest from her traumatic
journey and we planned the interview for the next day.
We
stepped into the living room, got comfortable and I started the
interview.....”Tell me about yourself and your work history”..
She told me her name... Hatti Annie. She was wearing a different hat,
(instant brownie points with me...I love hats!). We seemed to have
so much in common. She told me some of her working history. Her past
had been like a whirlwind. She escaped from a Chicago mannequin
warehouse in the 80's by hidding in a packing case, which was
unfortunately shipped via UPS the next day. As the case had been
labeled for a fruit packing warehouse in New York City, that is
exactly where the box landed. When the miss-shipment was discovered
on the loading dock the next morning, the workers were shocked to
find a mannequin and not a load of mango’s as expected. They
promptly threw Hatti into an empty dumpster.
Sad,
cold, lonely and rejected, she looked forward to her next landing,
the city dump. In the late afternoon she heard someone pulling up
the cover of the dumpster. She blinked her eyes and discovered a
homeless man staring down at her with his mouth open in shock. “My
name is Albert, he exclaimed, and I was only looking for an afternoon
snack, and look what I got instead...a gorgeous mannequin!” It was
love at first sight for Albert and he immediately took her to a
rescue mission where she eventually got her life together.
Unfortunately for Albert, he was the one that now got dumped!
One
day while looking for a job, she used her last few dollars and
stopped at Manhattan Starbucks for a latte'. A strange man was
staring at her and upon introducing himself she found that he was a
manager of a Victoria's Secret department store. Hattie was hired on
the spot. She started the next day in the lingerie department,
actually the only department! After a few weeks, she took off on her
own working her way up the mannequin circuit. She just had the
magic look, the “it factor”, and had no problems finding work.
All of this without an agent. Hatti even did a short stint on
Project Runway but couldn't stand the drama and everyone poking her
with needles. She became sad and disillusioned with the life she had
chosen and decided that a small town and a new family were what she
really wanted. Hatti posted her ad, I interviewed, and we bonded
immediately. Seeing the sad look in her big eyes was the clincher.
I hired her that very day and she moved in, or should I say out. I
posted her on the front porch as a hostess greeter.
Hattie
Annie is still technically a mannequin but, now she lives on our
front porch providing a welcome smile to our guests at the Appleton
Inn when I can't be present. She had found a family, a stable job
with health and dental benefits and a 401K plan. What more could she
want?
As
any young manikin would, she eventually became quite lonely even
doing this fascinating job. This past fall, I hate to admit, our
Hattie Annie began looking for love in all the wrong places. Every
evening she stood staring out into the cold winter's night looking
towards Prospect Avenue in the heart of downtown Appleton. Neither
freezing rain, snow or sleet put a stop to her in her vigil.
Gordie just
added to the problem by blowing fresh snow into her face every day.
One
cold morning I couldn't help but notice icicle tears streaming down
her placid face. I felt much empathy for this great looking chick.
I came to the realization in an instant, that all she ever wanted was
a true soul mate.
I promptly
brought her into the house and implemented a new plan for Hattie
Annie. I realized that she had never been taught, and or exposed to,
the finer things of life. Until this was accomplished, she would
never feel like the totally liberated woman that I knew was just
inside that plaster head and those great big fixed fake eyes.
In the spring, I dressed her in the finest Easter outfit I could find
hoping she would attract a church-going, honest fella. She sat
proudly in our Prius and away we went for Easter dinner at my
sisters' house in Grafton WI. My little sister Karen and her
grandaughers were quite sudpprises when she showed up in their
livingroom after an easter egg hunt!!
She
seemed to enjoy the day and the finery...yet none of the church-going
men gave her a second look. We did get a lot of looks on the freeway
during the trip. You would have thought the most people had never
seen a mannequin, sitting in the back seat of a Prius, wearing a seat
belt!
I
realized that facilitating change might be a long process. Maybe she
is so different because of the New York Influence...or my touch with
the hats. Go figure!!! Back to the drawing board for me, and back
home the front porch for Hattie Annie
We
had no idea of the horrific changes that were about to enter our
lives. It seems that Hattie had never experienced teenage rebellion
and we were about to wittness the process.
To
my dismay, the morning after her demure church debut I found her
standing in broad daylight holding an empty martini glass in her
hand. A morning drinker no less! Oh the horror and shame. What
could I expect though because she stared at that infamous tree in the
front yard each and every day. I never thought it would influence
her so drastically.
I
know she climbed the wine-glass tree I had planted in the front yard
to get the glass. This tree was intended to attract birds and an
occasional butterfly, not to defame the reputation of our glorious
Appleton Inn. The empty glass was promptly put back on the tree and
we both agreed that the incident was a learning experience for both
of us. The matter will never be discussed again. I straightened her
hair, gave her two ibuprofen and a tick-tack and hung my head in
shame. I was failing as a OM, (Other Mother). So sad...To bad!!
Low
and behold, yesterday morning, when I thought things couldn't get
worse, I was again shocked with a new discovery. I found a note
taped to my front door. It said...
“ Dear
Appleton Inn Proprietor, My name is Hank. I met Hattie Annie
yestersday afternoon and again last night in the hollyhock bed. I am
a SWM, blond hair and blue eyes and am about 5' 7” when placed in
the standing position. I enjoy quiet evenings at home, bubble baths
and sharing my fun times with others while recalling my days working
as a model at the Fox Valley Mall. I think I LOVE your front porch
hostess. She is a bit cold and stand-offish but things could change
if you and my owner would help us out with the logistics of a spring
fling. I have included a picture of myself. Looking forward to your
prompt reply. XXXOOO Hank
His
profile picture sent me into a tailspin....Where was it taken??? And
what was he in the clinker for???
As
a business woman I was shocked that there might have been some
“Hanky
Panky” going on in our front flower “Beds”
that night. Until a neighbor called me and said...
“ I
think you should start paying attention to the shenanigans going on
in your front yard after dark, after all we have a reputation to keep
in this historic neighborhood.” I was totally unaware that
anything slightly amiss, asque or immoral had taken place amid my
prize bunch of tall hollyhocks. This is the very spot where my
beloved sister and I admired my hollyhock bed. THE SHAME OF IT
ALL!!!
I
promptly called Hank's owner, Cindy (1-900 969-4469) and let her know
exactly what happened when Hank tried to spill some of his wild oats
on our front porch. Hattie is chaste young woman with high moral
standards, and is as intact as the day she was manufactured. We
presented her with a promise ring last year, and as far as I know she
has remained faithful to her high standards. She is DEFINITELY not
looking for a mere “spring fling“ as Hanks crass
comment indicated. I would hope to meet with you before we are both
hastily planning a “Shot Gun Wedding!”
I
was in shock when I heard Cindy's reply. Not only was she well aware
of the liaison of that night, but she had driven by our Inn during
the afternoon, took Hank out of her trunk and took the
liberty of introducing them to each other. All of this without my
knowledge and or permission. What was that woman thinking and where
are HER morals and why was Hank in the trunk and not beside her in
full view? Cindy also had the audacity to inform me that she had
taken pictures of the whole afternoon's event telling me that if I
didn't want the Appleton Post Crescent to get the black market
photos I had better do things her way.
I
was frightened by her words, but what gave me greater trepidation was
my vision of Hattie Annie in a wedding gown at such a young age and
with such a scoundrel. I’m sure Hanks' visions weren’t of the
wedding day, rather “the wedding night!”
My
next actions may seem radical to you as an audience, but I was only
doing the best I could with a horrendous situation. She was removed
from the porch and is serving alone time in my back yard “Woman
Cave”. The year before Hattie arrived I converted my potting shed
into “A Room Of One's Own”. A retreat spot strictly for me.
This space if for reading, relaxing, contemplation and creative’s
art and design time.
This
might not seem to most to be adequate punishment (the cave is
actually quite nice), but my intention is to divert all memories of
the illicit liaison from Hattie's disturbed brain.
After
serving her sentence in “THE WOMAN CAVE”, I
decided that it was time to take some drastic action to
save Hattie from a life of being a wife to that scoundrel Hank! I
was as committed as any OM (other mother) ever was to save her from a
life of drudgery. Washing dirty underwear and watching Greenbay
Packers playing football games 24/7 while wearing a cheese head.
My
intention is to divert all memories from the illicit liaison, educate
her on the finer things in life, and to expand her horizons. She will
now work inside the Inn, practicing meditation and using Feng shui
to enhance the home with her energy.
We
started this journey in our beautiful Appleton Inn and then expand
her horizons all through the town. Meeting fine people and finding
her calling will be the focus in the coming months.
The
first step was to give her a makeover and paint her portrait.
Next
were yoga lessons. She seemed to enjoy them and was very flexible.
Unfortunately she didn't seem as centered as I would have thought she
should be. And her choice of magazines!!!!!! OH well...One Day
At A Time.
This
Monday I started her on bridge lessons at the Appleton YMCA After a
good vigorous swim and workout on the machines, we changed and went
to the bridge room for lessons. Her new look was quite sophisticated
and worked well with the ladies....,
Unfortunately
she kept yelling out inappropriate blasts like: “Yahtzee!
, I've got a full house! , and I'll raise you fifty bucks and a pair
of nylons!”. I had to take her home in disgrace for
me...she was fine with it.
The
first thing she said the next day was “Let's go back to he Y.” I
had to explain that she probably would not be invited back and I gave
her a book, “Bridge for Dummies.”
Since
the yoga didn’t work, she wanted to try a class that would raise
her heart rate, not lower it. She joined me for my senior exercise
class and seemed non reactive to all of the energy in the room while
the music of Barry Manilow blared in her ears....one, two, three,
four AND REPEAT! Before I could stop her, she was flexing those legs
up over her head, much to the shock of the rest of the class. I
whispered into her ear.....DONT BE SUCH A SHOW OFF!!!!
In
order to bring her back to reality, I was able to show her what her
arms would look like when she got older if she didn't work her upper
body. I think my flying wings were enough to scare her straight!
My
next attempt was to expose her to fine women, literature and art. I
took her to the Creative Journey at the Appleton Library for a
writing session. The assignment was writing about your goals as a
woman in 2012. I shuddered, hoping she wasn't spilling the beans for
all to hear about her blatant sexuality, but to my delight, she
restrained herself and didn't embarrass me with her tales of
promiscuity. Instead she wrote about her new foster parents, Carole
OM and Gordie OD and that we surrounded her with opportunities to
grow. Ah...I was so proud, nothing like a child to fulfill your
life.
Our
next Library project was YUPO painting. She took to it like a duck to
water or water color to water and everyone in the class responded to
her creative spirit . She was learning to make more mature decisions
and to get along with others.
The
summer progressed and things started to settle down. I took her to
the farmers market hoping she might meet some new friends and learn
more about fruits, vegetables and flowers,HOSPITALS, RADIO STATIONS, CORN WAGONS, BANDS AND ART.
She
commiserate with her fellow wheel chair buddies.
She
seemed to enjoy the Mime best. I have no idea what they talked
about, but it seemed to be a lively conversation.
So
far I was hoping she was a changed young woman when the following
event happened. We had lovely guests from Canada that had ventured
here and across the Mid-west on their Harley's. The morning of their
stay we finished breakfast and one guest went to he parking lot to
see how their bikes were doing.
Next
we heard a yell from the parking lot...What the Heck
is this??? We ran outside only to see a vision of our lovely hostess
on one of the Harley's ready to
“Rock
and Roll.”
This
prompted a photo shoot and Hattie just wallowed in all of the
attention. She even was able to borrow a leather jacket from the
group, but when it came to her joining the venture....The answer was
NO....What would the Hells Angles
think if she was riding with them? They would think these
bikers had gone all fluffy and stuff!!!!
Back
to the WOMAN CAVE to teach her some self control. That evening while
watching TV I could hear someone singing...
♪♪“I
am woman hear me ROAR!”♪♪
OH
NO...Annie....Enough is Enough!
When
I went to The Woman Cave to see what was causing all of the racket I
discovered that she had a real knack for song writing as well as
drawing pictures. Go Figure! She must have learned these skill while
working on Project Runway
Stories
soon to come:
The
Sisterhood of the traveling Mannequins'.
Her
past catches up. Eliza Jane shows up at our door looking for her
friend from the Project Runway days. She has many stories to tell
Carole (OM) other mom and Gordie (OD) other dad. Will they allow
Hattie Annie to remain in their home B&B as the stories unfold???
Beam
Me UP OM...were' going to travel a bit, and you are not invited.
OM
advises that Hattie take some Karate lessons before returning to the
BIG APPLE or wherever the two mannequins will land.
Hattie
Annie goes for a massage and mellows out on the table.©
Annie
awaits an invitation to visit your establishment.....
Or
she may just show up.
Wait
and see...
carole@theappletoninn.com
