About the Characters

Mary Lou Peters: Mary Lou starts out fifteen years old in the ninth grade in the first story. She is lives in quiet, small-town, fictional Asheville, Maryland. Mary Lou is used to being around adults mostly, since she is home schooled and an only child. In the first story, she learns of her extraordinary gift to see visions of the past and travel back in time. During her first year of high school, she starts meeting new people and starting new, long-term friendships with kids her age. Her gift helps her to learn more, solve problems, and make and keep new friends. Mary Lou's lifelong dream is to be the second generation owner of the Southern Hotel.

Anna Grace "Mamma" Peters: Mamma, sometimes called Mrs. Peters in the stories also, is Mary Lou's mother. She is about forty years older than Mary Lou. Mrs. Peters gives Mary Lou her scholastic education and teaches her other practical things to know, like manners. Mamma enjoys decorating the hotel for special occasions and doing some of the bookkeeping and other organized necessities of the hotel. She is never too busy to talk to Mary Lou, and always willing to support her daughter.

John "Papa" Peters: Papa, a.k.a. Mr. Peters, has owned the hotel for a little over thirty years. He bought it as a young man and put a lot of work into any restoration or repair needed. Much of the original furniture from the turn-of-the-century is in the hotel because he took the time to keep it repaired and usable. Papa teaches Mary Lou all she needs to know about running a business, and enjoys learning from his family as much as he enjoys teaching them. He anticipates the day Mary Lou graduates from college and takes over the Southern Maryland Hotel.

Robby Phillips: Robby is introduced in the second story, and reappears in most of the succeeding ones. He is a quiet, studious boy Mary Lou's age who lives in Baltimore. His father owns two large, successful candy factories in the city. Upon his first visit to the hotel, Robby loves small-town life instantly, but still enjoys the city. He frequently visits his friend and accompanies her on many of her time travels and expeditions. He is supportive of his gifted best friend and is always there when she's in need.

Mr. and Mrs. Phillips: Mr. and Mrs. Phillips are Robby's parents. Mr. Phillips is a tycoon in the confectionery business, owning two large candy factories and a large house in Baltimore. Mrs. Phillips is a friendly, social lady who has to be the best at everything— fashion, makeup, latest news, hosting the best teas and parties. Robby's parents, in many ways, are very different from their children.

Jeffrey Phillips: Jeffrey is Robby's quiet older brother who is about five years older than Robby. He appears in some of the stories, but doesn't have a large role in any of them. He'll take over the candy business one day and stay in the big city.

Julie Parkington: Thirteen-year-old Julie, her parents, and her brothers moved into a large, white house on the waterfront downtown. This house belonged to her aunt, who fled the small town after much emotional pain and suffering from the past. Mary Lou's parents invite her and her parents to the Independence Day Ball of 1952, hoping Mary Lou could make another friend her age who lived close by. Julie is an energetic, intelligent girl who never stops talking. She's a leader— kind of has to be when she's got three younger brothers and two parents who work during the day. Julie is a pleasant person to have as a friend and also accompanies Mary Lou on her historic adventures.

Mr. and Mrs. Parkington, Margaret, and the three boys: These are the members of Julie's family. Both her parents work during the day. Their housekeeper and nanny, Margaret, watches the children when she's not busy. Margaret is a friend of Julie's grandmother. Julie has three brothers: Tommy, Simon, and A.J. who are nine, five, and two. The eldest two are always wrestling or fighting, while the baby whines for attention. Julie watches them when Margaret is too busy.