Author: David Haldeman

Friday July 9th 1976
Headache. Sidewalk sale in progress when I got in at 10. Spent rest of morning getting out more junk and pricing it. Sales only about $60 barely enough to pay Kass and Nelly Kline. Lillian inventoried. I slept on sofa in my office for about 1 1/2 hours. To Madge and Howard Guthrey’s at 6:30 for buffet honoring Mrs. Van Meter from Chillicothe who sponsored “Tecumseh” as an outdoor drama. A gardener, history buff and birder. Carroll Neidhart and mother, Myers (Ted and Judge) & Tschantz from Nevada. Met Mary and Kathi there. Palace looks like new- “1776” perfect for opening. Jim Schultz great as James Wilson his ancestor.

Wednesday July 7th 1976
Dale of Rick’s Floor Covering in to say tile at Bordeaux house all coming up because improperly laid. I went over to let Marylin choose vinyl. Peacocks called to say sink is rusted out around drain and we’ll have to have new one!
Dr. Dunbar of Michigan State in to visit because of Chris Rife under their technical program- two-year horticulture. Raymond Smith okay after operation today and came home tonight. Dave off and Connie off so Laura and Debbie did it. Dick Wickersham in for job and I put him on dried things.

Thursday July 8th 1976 rain half inch last night
In at 11 to continue inventory. Found our sales – receipts – in orders – accounts payable still left a $2,000 difference. So Kathi started through inactive accounts and found several hundred on cards that had been misfiled.
Pat O’Hara in to give more details on how to give him month-end reports. At 6:45 went to Hotel Harding across from Palace to watch the reopening. Caravan of antique cars with Marion’s notables arriving announced by Eula Watts just like Hollywood. Back to shop and priced junk for sidewalk sale tomorrow. Davy and Kristy stripped yarrow in from California. Palace reopened on TV. Home at 11.

Tuesday July 6th 1976
So tired could hardly get out of bed. Waffles for breakfast. David took Sarah and Karen for boat ride. In to shop about 11. Martha off because Raymond in to hospital. Several salesman, but bought little. Took Kathy, David, Kris and Sarah to LK for lunch. Started inventory of supplies. Returned spinning wheel to Madge Guthery. Invited me to meet Mrs. VanMeter of Chillicothe at Buffet Friday.
Watch TV and enjoyed National Geographic maps and us a composite of satellite pictures.

Monday July 5th 1976 gorgeous day
Got things ready for picnic and had lunch for David and Karen and Sarah when they arrived about 1. Sarah walking all over and climbed up steps to porch. Kathy and kids out and David took Davy in River. Sausage picnic at 6 with Brooks, Jordans, Ken Hecker, Mitchell’s, Schultz, Marcella Haldeman, Barb Jameson and Mike DeSantis, Mother, Mary and Rocky. 3 babies- Jonathan Schultz, 2 Christopher Mitchell, 14 months and Sarah 12 months David led a Singing School of patriotic songs Kathi read Declaration of Independence Carl recited Gettysburg address and Mary “the Cataract of Lodore”. We all weighed in like Mother’s family did in 1896 and 1924. After others left David showed all 90 minutes of the Marion 1976 movie

Sunday July 4th 1976 Sunny a few clouds Northeast wind temperature 77. Truck back- lettering cost $35
After a stroll around the pond and breakfast with Howard on deck drove into shop where Steve W met me and helped load spinning wheel, table and stools and platform in truck. Took to parking lot behind Murphy’s where old Central School was where Forrest Laudenslager was waiting with his farm wagon to haul the Altrusans: Lucille Jones, Della Mautz, Ruby Graham, Emoji Minsall, Betty Swanson and Kristi Decker and me. Jo Ruth ran errands. Mary Rockwell rode and took movies for Historical Society film for us. Marilyn Meseke was one of the judges. Rang a Loudenslager bell at 2 p.m. when all bells in the US were to be rung. Parade route jammed with people. Disbanded at mothers. Cooked ham, hash brown potatoes, broccoli, raspberries and ice cream for supper. Super TV programs on 1776.

Lowrey picked up truck to letter it.
Mrs. Jones here t clean. In about 10:30 & shop in full swing. Started Trinity’s order for a year. We formerly alternated months with Oilers but starting last July we do it by the year. Did wedding at Emmanuel Baptist at 1:00. Stopped by Fairgrounds to see Historical Society exhibits including Huber steam engine and threshing machine. Conducted tours through shop all afternoon Jon Belli in. Brought mother back with me and she drew names out for prizes. Had almost 1,200 cards filled out. Took Kathi and kids to Isaly’s for supper. Shopped at Big Bear. Got eight flags free. TV Bicentennial programs great.

Friday July 2, 1976
Teeth cleaned at Doctor Vornholt’s. Bought black dress with scarf at Uhler’s $28. Plenty more people in for open house. Have sold all but 10 of the 60 coffee plants at a $1.76. Charlie Evans delivered our new blue Dodge van V6 engine, power brakes and steering. Custom panel interior for insulation.
Called David and Karen to order sausage for picnic Monday. Kathi and kids stopped on way from Day Camp picnic. David got nature award and Christy most congenial. Finished warping loom to use in parade.

Thursday, July 1, 1976
Plenty of people in all day and as I walk past groups everyone is saying “Beautiful – beautiful”. Really proud of my shop and wish Daddy could see it.

Wednesday June 30 1976
Took corsage to Erma but they had already left for England at 9:30.
Worked all day getting things out for open house. Brought 40 of the coffee trees in and arrange then with my antique coffee grinder.
To Mary’s for supper. Dressed in old-fashioned dress for Historical Society meeting. Mary took her Covered Bridge book and everyone interested. Turned over check profit on Jacoby history made a total of $2,000 profit. Back to shop at 10:30 and worked until 1 getting last-minute touches ready.