When Kathy Hess saw a picture of an old fair book on a local flea market's Facebook page, she was sure it was her mama's old book.
She didn't know that the book had been missing for 20 years, perhaps accidentally being tucked in a box that was sold at an auction.
It all started when Rags to Riches Flea Market owner Alecia Rickett began posting photos of old items on her business' Facebook page.
With the theme, "Throwback Thursday," Rickett began collecting older and historical items from different booths at her flea market and highlighting those collectibles online.
One Thursday, not that long ago, Rickett posted a picture of an old McDonald County Fair Book from 1976.
"Quite a few people responded," Rickett said.
But one person -- Kathy Hess -- knew that it was her mother's old fair book from the bicentennial year, though she couldn't quite figure out how it got out of her mom's hands years ago.
Charlene Bergen, Hess' pastor's wife, saw the photo on Facebook and contacted Hess.
"I think it's our Ina Lea's," she said, sending her the photo on her cell phone.
Hess knew that the fair book was her mom's. She had handwritten her name right in the middle of the outside cover.
"I know her handwriting," Hess said.
The irony is that Hess didn't know that the fair book had been missing for more than 20 years. Her father, Louis Moneymaker, died in 1996 and her mother had an auction the next year.
Hess was surprised to learn that the book had been missing -- then turned up, just right down the road. "We're a family of teachers," Hess said, adding that relatives -- including herself -- like to keep things.
That old fair book must have dropped into a box with something else that was being sold, she believes.
In those 20 years the book was missing, it didn't travel far.
Some believe that a man from Noel had the book, which was purchased at an auction.
Back in 1976, the book was constructed of printed paper, then stapled in the middle. The book is courtesy of the Anderson Lions Club, and also mentions Cornerstone Bank of Southwest City.
The simple book has a great deal of sentimental value to Hess. The fair was a big part of their lives. Hess has all of her mother's fair ribbons, collected from her entries over the years. Her father served as chairman of the McDonald County Fair in 1976 and his name is mentioned in the book. Though she's not sure how many years her father served as chairman, her parents were involved because it was important for them to help out their community.
The family, which has deep roots in McDonald County, believed in serving others. In fact, when Hess was going to get married 31 years ago, she had to change her initial wedding date. Her father was chairman of the fair board at the time and simply couldn't miss the fair, she said.
For Rickett, reuniting McDonald County neighbors with such personal items is a huge highlight.
When she purchased the flea market business from her friend, she didn't anticipate reuniting folks with old items.
Yet it's turned out to be one of the most fulfilling aspects of her job, she said. McDonald County neighbors often find items that bring back a memory of a loved one, or are reunited with a personal item.
"To see the smile on their face, it's really, really neat," Rickett said. "It's very exciting."
Hess now has the book tucked safely in an old secretary desk that also features her father's elephant collection.
Being reunited with the old special book is nothing short of a Hallmark movie, she said.
"I'm so thankful," Hess said. "It's a wonderful happening."
General News on 10/19/2017