Mary Barile was born in New York City and raised on Long Island. She moved to Missouri in 2001 and is currently associate director of grants for the University of Missouri, where she teaches grant writing. Mary is the author of several books on popular culture and travel and a published playwright. Among her research interests are Missouri history, ghosts and legends. Mary is a board member of the Missouri Parks Association and the Baa Baa Boonville Rug Hookers, a devoted group of wool artists. She lives in Boonville, where she steps out into history each morning.