Scott Swanson
Mona Waibel is just trying to keep up with the demand for her books on Sweet Home history, which now number four and have sold far beyond her expectations.
The four volumes are expanded editions of the “Remembering the Good Old Days” columns Waibel has written for the monthly 55 Plus senior publication in The New Era.
Her most recent, which focuses on memories of Sweet Home-area schools, was completed just in time for the high school’s 100th anniversary All-Years Reunion, held during this year’s Sportsman’s Holiday.
“I wrote about the 100 years of Sweet Home High School and all the other schools that have been closed in the area, though a few of them are still going,” Waibel said. “I just thought it would be a good thing to write about them.”
The 208-page book may be expanded slightly for its next printing, as she has a number of photos that were missing from the initial edition.
The book sells for $25 and is available at the East Linn Museum and at The New Era.
All the proceeds are going to the Sweet Home Alumni Association’s scholarship fund, she said.
“I pretty well covered all 100 years of the graduating classes,” Waibel said. “When I couldn’t get a picture of the class, I got pictures of sports or other activities.”
She’s already working on her fifth collection, but she’s not sure when it will be completed.
“I don’t want to wear myself out,” said Waibel.
She said she’s surprised by the demand for the books. The first volume has sold more than 3,000 copies and she said others are not far behind.
“I never expected that much response,” she said. “I’ve really appreciated how people buy the books. A lot of them know that this one is going to the scholarship program.”