Lancaster has framed it all
Staff writer
Mary Lancaster of Mary's Mats and More does a little of everything at her shop.
Born in Maryville, Mo., she grew up and went to school in Burlington Junction, Mo., graduating from West Nodaway Rural 1 High School in 1973.
After graduation, she attended Northwest Missouri State at Maryville to become a lab technician.
While at college, she met her husband Dave, and they were married Jan. 8, 1977. They lived in Imperial, Neb., 1 1/2 years where she worked as a teacher's aide in the special education department in the schools there.
In 1978, their first child, Dirk, was born. He will graduate from Bethany College in Lindsborg in December of 2001 with a secondary education degree in music.
In October of that year, the family moved to Hillsboro where her husband accepted a job at the co-op in Hillsboro. He started working as a maintenance engineer at the Hillsboro plant. He then worked as a manager at the Marion location, and now he is back at the Hillsboro location as a crop production specialist.
In 1979, the couple had their second child, Liz, who is currently a senior at Truman State University in Kirksville, Mo. She will graduate in May of 2003 with a double major in business administration with an emphasis on marketing and accounting.
While her children were growing up, Lancaster was a stay-at-home mother. When her daughter was about five years old, Lancaster started working as a waitress at Olde Towne Restaurant for owners Dr. G. George and Evelyn Ens.
"I worked part-time helping Evelyn in the Frame Shop that was located in the same business," Lancaster said. "I did that for one year."
In June of 1985, a position opened at the hospital for a respiratory therapist and physical therapy aide.
"Dr. George told me to apply," Lancaster said. "He knew about my background of studying to be a lab technician."
"And they hired me on the spot," she said.
"In 1990, Dr. Loewen at the Family Practice Clinic approached me about an opening at the clinic," Lancaster said. "I hadn't done that kind of work since leaving college, but he said they would train me."
Lancaster worked at the clinic part-time at first then full-time and stayed there until 1996.
In 1996, Evelyn Ens asked if Lancaster was interested in buying The Frame Shop business from her because Ens was going to retire.
"I wasn't really interested at first," Lancaster said. "But when I decided to say yes to Evelyn, she had already sold it to someone else."
Lancaster was then approached by Peni Ens of Odds 'N Ends to open up a framing and matting shop in her building.
"I talked it over with my husband, Dave. He said 'to go for it.'"
"I loved my job at the clinic, but I hated the paperwork," she said. "So I felt it was a good time to try something new."
So in 1997, Lancaster opened Mary's Mats and More at Odds N Ends.
Lancaster said a shop in Wichita, called Frame Works, help set her up with all the supplies she would need to get started.
Lancaster does framing, matting, and a variety of other things.
"I have framed items from a lace handkerchief to an Army uniform jacket," she said. "Also I have framed prints that cost $1 to those that may cost $500."
Lancaster has enjoyed watching her husband come in and help her with the business.
"He helps cut and repair some of the frames," she said.
Lancaster said her busiest times are around Christmas and graduation.
"I've learned a lot over the years," she said. "It is kind of fun — I really enjoy it."
Even with working at the shop, Lancaster still has time for some hobbies. She belongs to the Quilt Guild and helps Debbie Enns at the Quilt Barn in Galva.
"I also walk my two Rat Terriers, Jack and Tootsie, every morning," Lancaster said. "They're our children at home now. They're also good company."
Lancaster also gets together with a group of ladies every Thursday to quilt.
"Paula Perry, Debbie Enns, Jan Meisinger and I get together to work on each other's quilts," Lancaster said. "We have a good time."
Lancaster has been a member of Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce and is a former board member.
She and her husband are members of Durham Baptist Church where they serve as youth leaders.
"We really haven't had time to be bored. We keep busy enough," Lancaster said.
