By DEB GRUVER

Staff writer

Retired from teaching special education, Thane Schwartz spends his time writing.

Schwartz, a Marion resident, has self-published three books.

First came a children’s book, “The Adventures of Boo Boo and Little House.” Then he wrote a book of “inspirational Christian meanderings” and “philosophical poetics” titled “Soul Soup for Chickens,” a riff on the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” series of books. His latest is a collection of poetry and prose titled “The Things I Found in My Cedar Chest.”

The books are available at St. Luke Auxiliary Thrift Shoppe and Et Cetera in Hillsboro. Readers also may find them on Amazon.

Going into the Christmas season, Schwartz hopes people will buy the books at the two thrift stores. Through the end of the year, he is donating all proceeds from his book sales at the thrift shops to the organizations the stores serve — Marion’s hospital and Mennonite Central Committee.

“That way the money stays in town,” he said.

Schwartz is working on a fourth book about dementia, based in part on his father’s decline and death. Dick Schwartz died last year.

Staff at St. Luke Living Center “did their best to help my dad out there. I’d like to pay them back a little bit,” Schwartz said.