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Jul. 23--MAROA -- Two years ago at a flea market, DaLette Stowell of Maroa bought a $10 box of stuff destined for the garbage because, as she would come to believe, the original owner of the contents called to her across time.
Stowell, author of this week's "Miriam's Time Capsule," was wandering around the accumulation of things in the market when she noticed a "big, old cardboard box," under a table, with a sleeve sort of draped out of it. She kept going on her meander through the market but was finally pulled back to the box.
She asked its price and, though she didn't really understand what the owner said, "I shoved the last $10 I had into his hand."
Q: And the box of junk? Was it worth the $10 price tag?
As it turned out, the contents were worth much more than that to Stowell, even though she has refused friendly suggestions to sell the contents on the Web.
As she ferreted through the accumulation of animal feces, bird feathers, other trash and dirt, Stowell discovered that the sleeve was attached to the "prettiest little blouse -- they called them 'waists' then."
Stowell carefully laundered, by hand, in cold water, what she felt was a treasure trove of antique clothing, then let them sun dry. Still fascinated, she discovered she could wear everything, though the shoes were a bit large.
(On a whim, Stowell used the clothing to enter a vintage clothing contest during Maroa's sesquicentennial. She won.)
Q: So, you salvaged the clothing. But this is a column about authors so how does this all fit together?
It was not just a box of clothing. Stowell discovered several items, such as drawings, papers and books -- with names which lead her not only to discover who the original owner had been but also to discover much about that owner.
She also discovered a very personal connection with the owner and once she found the owner's final resting place, she made a promise.
The result of that promise is "Miriam's Time Capsule."
"I just felt she reached across time and space."
She hopes for the book to become financially successful enough for her to establish in Miriam's name a trust fund that would help with educational needs.
Q: Your book is very personal in more ways than one, isn't it?
The book is in reality an assurance that what brought DeLatte Stowell and Miriam together across time will not be forgotten. The telling of that connection is what Stowell did in the book.
And even its publication is entirely personal, except for the cover. Stowell designed the cover, using some of Miriam's things, but doesn't have printer capabilities to produce it. She does, though, literally produce the rest of the book.
"I just didn't want to do it that way," said Stowell when asked about publishing companies.
"It's primitive but I wanted to keep it that way. It has been a labor of love."
Calling herself a history buff, she likes the book being in museums, hoping that she can in some way help draw more patrons to local museums.
Arlene Mannlein can be reached at amannlein@herald-review.com or 421-6976.
About the book
TITLE: "Miriam's Time Capsule" by DeLatte Stowell
TYPE: paperback, 61 pages, 8 1/2" by 6 1/2"
PUBLISHER: Garden Shed Publishing, Maroa
LIST PRICE: $12
AVAILABLE: Macon County Historical Society Museum, 422-4919; DeWitt County Museum (C. H. Moore Homestead), 935-6066.
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Copyright (c) 2006, Herald & Review, Decatur, Ill.
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