Author: David Haldeman

Thursday, March 5, 1970
Rain! – Howard backed out taking us to Tampa airport at last minute but couldn’t get limousine so he drove Rt. 92 all the way! Plane late so flying time was 1 1/2 hrs Tampa to Columbus. Eldon Beers met us.

Wednesday, March 4, 1970
To Kissimee – spoiled by dreging. Cold for picnic. Packing ready to go home.

Tuesday, March 3, 1970
Slept til 9:00. Howard had plans to go to “Timberland” & Bok Tower. At Tower ate lunch feeding jays- robins- veery- red billied woodpecker & squirrels, live oaks & wood ducks. Ridge country interesting.

Monday, March 2, 1970
Carl & Esther Rieger drove us to Gasparilla Island. The roots of Australian Pines still along beach. Carl eat off driftwood. Lunch at Riegers. Returned rented car at Sarasota. Met Howard at Mysaka. Drove through then dashed back to Lake Alfred.

Sunday, March 1, 1970
Carl Rieger to Sarasota Card Party all day. We took Esther to Venice Fishing Pier beach & sifted for Shark’s teeth (prehistoric). Lunch on beach. P.M. to Oscar Sheerer Park. Scub Jays feeding from hand. Talked & talked evening.

Saturday, February 28, 1970
Set out petunias for Vivian. Genevieve & I went to Rutenburg Model Homes again. Still looked great. Brothers took us to pick up rental car. We drove to Ft. DeSoto Park. Lovely beaches. To Rieger’s about 6:30. Carl took Marie & friends to Minstrel. Esther talked.

Friday, February 27, 1970
To Wedding’s Nursery & bought Marsh Seedless grapefruit for David. Lunch at Vivian’s. To Beaches. So commercialized here. To Aunt Hattie’s for dinner. Helped Vivian with her decorating problems.

Thursday, February 26, 1970
Howard drove us to Claprood’s Farm at Sun City. Mabel & Chuck showed us around. Not much to cut. Vivian* & David Bratten met us at 10:00. Shopping P.M. I bought white & purple dress. Played hearts & Scrabble.

*[Vivian Adams – Mary Hemmerly’s friend from Cincinnati who she met at Baptist Conventions at Granville, OH]

Wednesday, February 25, 1970
To Peringer’s daughter’s garden. To Citrus stand & walked through grove to Winter Haven Nursery & met Mr. Stabler who worked on Bok TOwer landscaping. Watched travelogue on TV as we did every evening while here.

Tuesday, February 24, 1970
Visited Howard’s neighbors. Gave us pink camellias. To Saddle Creek Part near Lakeland. Great birding. To meet Buckholts at Lake Ida Beach Court. Also Westons. All fine people who appreciate Howard.