Local Woman Publishes Book on Marco's Mailboxes

It was the height of the pandemic and Marco Islander Mary Ann Lauber, who is immuno-compromised, was looking for an outlet. Her outlet of driving the island and enjoying its large number of unique mailboxes turned into her newly published book, “Marco Mailboxes.”

“During COVID when I was in isolation - not being able to be around people - I started taking a drive around every day. Even though the island is only four-by-six, there were a lot of areas I had never been to. As I went down each street I was amazed at the creativity of people. I didn’t even have a thought in my mind of doing a book until I started taking pictures and realize, ‘Hey, I’ve got 130 just without even trying. I had 130 really unique mailboxes and none of them are mine. I live in a condo.”

Lauber has lived a life of fundraising and decided that a book on Marco’s mailboxes would afford her the opportunity to give back to the community.

“I’m a perpetual fundraiser,” Lauber said. "In Ohio I was on a lot of committees for Community Hospice. I was on the board. Always found it’s my gift to be able to fundraise. I’ve got a gift and I kind of have to cultivate it.”

Lauber has three local non-profits that she plans to help through sales of her book: Marco Patriots, Shelly’s Simply Sharing and Our Daily Bread Food Pantry.

“My only goal for this book is to help charity,” Lauber said.

Other than a cookbook she created with her mother’s recipes, this is Lauber’s first foray into book publishing. She already has another book ready to go.

“My next book is already done - I just have to have it illustrated. It’s a children’s book about my cat, Bentley, who gets in one of my twin granddaughter's backpack and goes to school. It’s going to be cute.”

Lauber is fighting leukemia, a disease that took the life of her brother Mark almost 20 years ago.

Marco Mailboxes can be purchased for $20 at Sunshine Booksellers on South Collier Boulevard and Keep In Touch in the Shops of Marco shopping center on Barfield Drive.