Author: David Haldeman

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Trella Hemmerly – 1980-10-18

Saturday October 18th
Moved to room15 as room 26 reserved for tonight. By 9 off to Glastonbury Apple Festival. Bought apples, cheese and nut bread. Tents protected from misting rain. Breakfast at farm store and then headed for New Britain to visit Steve* at New Britain Memorial Hospital. His hair is now dark brown and he has acne, but still looks like Steve. He seemed to recognize me and squealed and wiggled in delight. I hugged him and he hugged back as well as he could with hands tied to chair and in socks. His attention span was very short so I didn’t stay.
Headed south on Connecticut 9 and at 1:00 got off to go to Gillette Castle and began to wonder if I could find my way back so many turns- beautiful scenery even in the misty rain. Passed the opera house and crossed the Connecticut River. The castle reminded me of the one at Loveland. Gorgeous view of river and saw a ferry across the way so took it back via Chester. Much shorter. Drove through Essex but too contrived among the old. On to Old Saybrook. Bought brown turtleneck sweater $18 and on to Saybrook Place. Found Chalkers in Cypress Cemetery. Pulled into beach and asked 2 boys where Chalker Beach was. One said “This is a Chalker.” -also descended from Alexander Chalker. On to Guilford 1639 house.

*Steven Sands – attempted suicide victim and son of Bob & Inge Sands

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Trella Hemmerly – 1980-10-16

Thursday October 16th
Left Brooks’ house about 8 in 2 cars. Left Putney (the Irish Setter age 12) at the kennel in Southampton. Stopped south of Riverhead for picture of brilliant maple by pond. Retraced my route of yesterday and continued to Orient Point arriving at 10. Bought $15.50 tickets for Ferry and got in line. I went on top after we pulled out at 11. Nice day 1 1/2 hours- up Thomas[sic – Thames] River to dock at New London. Said goodbye to Brooks on Ferry they headed Northeast and I went up Route 32 to 52 to 2 to Marlborough. Had lunch at 1740 Tavern and went to town hall for map. Got Riverdale Motel near Parkland. On to Glastonbury. Stopped at Cemetery. But Historical Society closed. Stopped at Town Hall, got map and asked to see Deeds. Found Isaac Chalker 1747 and 1753- William Hildreth 1773-1771- 1789 to 1806. Copied three of them $3. Back to South Glastonbury and turned East on Hopewell Road via Chestnut Hill via Quarry and came to East Glastonbury post office and Methodist Church on Route 83. Talk to mister we’re both master and he told me where Buckingham Congregational Church was at Route 83 and 94. Cemetery there had Stephen Hurlbut family but no Chalker. Back to South Glastonbury and barely got groceries before 6 p.m. closing. Back to motel and ate. Call Mary to report in. Kass called me back to OK installing my dishwasher at Normandy.