Author: David Haldeman

Saturday, October 23, 1954
Whee! 15 of David’s room & Mildred Gorby here from 9 to 3 – Boating, Hiking, eating, yelling! Paris, Sandra & Dad Romine here from 4 to 5. Went nutting across road with them. Kathy’s party of 20 arrived at 7 & is still here at 11:30. No parents yet. Caroline Foos for all night – used Ray’s Decorations.

Friday, October 22, 1954
Cleaned garage- beautiful day. In at 1:00 Banking. Deposited $3,000 at Marion Federal from Pension Fund check. Made Caledonia Homecoming bokays & other corsages. Shopped for David & Kathy’s parties. To Game tonigt. Rosalin Coffey sat with me. Game called in 3rd Quarter – Claridon 56 – Caledonia 8.*

[*Before consolidation into River Valley District, Claridon, Caledonia, Martel & Waldo were separate High Schools. They played 6 man football, and some of the football players changed uniforms at half-time to march in the band!]

Thursday, October 21, 1954
Springs & Mattress arrived at 7:30 A.M. Mother & Daddy out about 10 to help me move things. Mended slip cover on big chair & ironed. Got things together for Kathy’s party.

Wednesday, October 20, 1954
Finished painting Recreation Room. Had to get another gallon – used 2 1/2 gallons all told. In with Kathy & David after school to get things for Halloween Party. Mr. Stumbo down & offered me $500 for the corner across from him. Kathy to Square Dance for Teenagers at Caledonia Town Hall.

Tuesday, October 19, 1954
In to work at shop at 10:00 till 4:30. Then got 2 gallons chartreuse rubber base paint at Sears for basement $9.25 Joe Bingham here tonight to change policy beneficiary. Painted East wall of basement & it took 1 gallon! To bed at 1:00. Cool – high 50.

Monday, October 18, 1954
Killing frost last night. Jack Barford & Roy Jacobs out to look at Ray’s mail clothes. Gave Roy 3 shirts & light jacket. In to work all P.M. Kids in with Fred Coffey*. To Burroughs at Stulls. Was a fisherman [sic?] for Grace Wingett’s talk on bats. Home at 11:30.

[*Fred Coffey, resident of Marion and teacher at Caledonia School, often gave rides to Kathy and David Haldeman to the flower shop in Marion.]

Sunday, October 17, 1954
In to do Rigdon wedding. More rain while delivering it at Kirkpatrick. Daddy sick. Lazy afternoon. Took picture of rainbow from porch. Kathy to Youth Fellowship, Tommy Lyons is the big moment now. David & I watched TV. Bed at 10:30

Saturday, October 16, 1954
Cleaned whole house & was working on meatballs when Paris, Helen & Sandra came. Here for hour or so- gave Sandra box of books & her letters to Ray. Mary, Emma Bayles, Jo Yagardio [sic?], Mary C. Messenger here at 6:15 for spaghetti & talk talk. Left about 11:15.

Friday, October 15, 1954
More rain – about 50 all day. In at 10:30 for Lombardo appointment. Did corsages. Uptown bought 6 place settings “Ballerina” dishes. Much like I have. Also drapery material for bedroom. Webbs here when I got home. Kathy to Waldo game, here. Ironed.

Thursday, October 14, 1954
Planting mums from pots & bulbs when Daddy stopped. Went to Galion with him. Saw GIlls. Hazel Chase in State Mental Hospital in Tiffin for treatment. Bedroom suite arrived. It’s gorgeous! Cleaned room. In for Gordon Wedding appt. Kathy & I both had hair set. Mary Baker & Fanny at Mother’s & Mary’s.