BOOK REVIEW published in THE MENDOCINO BEACON, January 14, 2009

by Katy Tahja

Often people are faced with the dilemma of what to do with family albums of old photographs they don't want to save.  Remove the photos and distribute them to family members? (That's what I did). Donate the albums to a museum or historical society?  Leave them alone and let your descendants figure it out for themselves? Well, one woman with a variety of talents came up with a clever solution. She made them into a book.

"Photographers' Vintage Treasures and the People Who Wore Them: Early Photography and Memoirs from Mendocino County (including Vintage Clothing Price Guide)" is the title of Shelley Antilla's book.  Later this year she'll be a guest for the Sunday Afternoon lecture series at the Kelley House, but get an early introduction to the book at Gallery Bookshop Friday evening January 15 at 6:30 p.m. and meet the author.

The book is a combination of many things. First and foremost it is three generations of women in Mendocino County and their history in Willits and Comptche told in photos.  The book is also fashion history as Antilla had a career working with vintage fashion items. If you've ever wondered how to date a photo by what the people wore Antilla shows you how. And it's Antilla's story of personal perserverence as she overcame serious obstacles in her path to get this book into print.

Her chapters in the book include Weddings and Historical Dress, Young People and Children's Clothing with small tales, Collectable Letters and Postcards in a trunk, Older People and folklore tales, Logging Photos, How to Liquidate Treasures, and all through the book "Shelley's Observations" full of historical insights. Men, women and children can all enjoy this book's contents.

Antilla tells us what makes photographs and memorabilia collectible and how to evaluate what to keep. Does that 1930's hat you inherited from your Auntie get donated to a thrift shop, thrown in the trash, or placed on sale at e-BAY because you discovered it is worth $100! Antilla is a BIG fan of hats and there are 10 pages of vintage hat photos and prices. If you're ever faced with the reality of liquidating an estate this book has valuable information on how to do it.

Some photos in the book are barely visible but Antilla uses them as a learning lesson on what happens if you don't care properly for old photographs. A photo of shredded Levi blue jeans may not be a fashion statement today but the history of the pants is fascinating.  The logging photos include posed photos by traveling professional photographers, photos made for standard mailer postcards and candid shots, mostly taken near Comptche. Some of these logging photographs are unique and not in any local museums.

Many challenges faced Shelley Antilla while producing this book and she hopes her story of perseverence in getting the job done will be an inspiration for other seniors contemplating writing a book. Both the Kelley House and Gallery Bookshop have this interesting insightful book for sale and you can meet the author Friday January 15 at the Bookshop at 6:30 p.m. You'll never look at an old family photos again without realizing the clothes people are wearing can tell a story too!

BOOK REVIEW published in THE WILLITS NEWS, June 30, 2010 

by The Willits News staff

Willits writer Shelley Antilla is returning to Willits for Frontier Days to participate in the Willits High School reunion at Maize Field July 3, followed by a book signing at the Willits library.  Antilla will be at the Willits library from 3 to 5 p.m., to sign books and offer tips to anyone interested in preserving photos and memorabilia.

Antilla's book "Photographers' Vintage Treasures and the People Who Wore Them: Early Photography and Memories from Mendocino County" is filled with historical insights into several generations of Willits and Comptche residents as well as tips on what makes photographs and memorabilia collectible.  She provides guidelines on how to evaluate what to keep and what should be donated to the thrift store.

Copies of the book are on sale at the library at the signing and part of the proceeds will go to support The Willits Friends of the Library.

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FRONTIER DAYS HIGHLIGHTS published in The Willits News, June 30, 2010

by The Willits News staff

Saturday:

Willits High School alumni reunion and picnic, 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Maize Field.  Free admission for a Willits high School alumni, family and friends.  Picnic with hot dogs, burgers, beans, potato salad, coleslaw, watermelon, cookies, popcorn, lemonade and sodas for purchase.  Music, dunk-tank, games and prizes for young and old. Proceeds will go to the Class of '67 Scholarship Fund.  Reunion photos are all classes.  Bring chairs, blankets and WHS memorabilia. Hundreds of alumni are converging on Willits from all over the United States in time for this reunion.

Local book signing, Vintage Treasures and the People Who Wore Them; 3 to 5 p.m. at Willits library, Willits author Shelly Antilla features three generations of Willits and Comptche women including photos of early Mendocino County vintage clothing.  The book also provides techniques for preserving photos and memorabilia for future generations.  Refreshments and a portion of any book sales benefits the Willits library. Sponsored by Willits Friends of the Library. Frontier Days Rodeo, 7 p.m. at the Jack Tharp Arena. $15 box seat, general admission adult $12 and child $5.W

Western Dance, 9 p.m. free at the rodeo grounds. Featuring the rocking sounds of SK2 with their blend of extraordinary vocal and musical talents delivering a  modern, action-packed performance including country, rock, rhythm, funk and even disco.

WILLITS LIBRARY EVENTS IN JULY published in The Nickel & Dime, July 2, 2010

by The Nickel & Dime staff

Willits Library Events in July

Shelley Antilla, author of, PHOTOGRAPHERS' VINTAGE TREASURES AND THE PEOPLE WHO WORE THEM: Early Photograph and Memoirs from Mendocino County.  The author is a WHS graduate.  Saturday, July 3, 2010 from 3-5 pm - Willits Library Meeting Room.  Call Willits Library for more info 707-459-5908.