Oh what a beautiful second morning in Collinsville. It would also be filled with surprises. We stopped for breakfast at Barnhardt’s.  I practically jumped up from our booth when I saw “Art Sr. Special” as one of the entrees under “Home Cooking from Scratch.” As Art’s daughter, how could I not order it.

 

 

There was time to enter one more antique shop before joining Ted who was taking us to The Collinsville Museum.  This time we went into Grandma’s Trunk, two doors down from what had been B. Goldsmith’s.  The first thing I saw sitting in a case at the front of the store was salt and pepper shakers…in the shape of pickles.  Another perfect purchase for the pickle man’s daughter!

 

 

We learned more Collinsville’s history and found the piano Ted’s family had donated to the town.  But there was still no sign of the one my Father purchased in honor of his Father.  Perhaps someone knows where it is; it should have a plaque reading “In Memory of David Goldsmith.”

 

 

Ted

The original building was the depot.  It was moved to its current position from a few blocks south

The central part of the original building, now restored as The Collinsville Museum

 

It was time to finally meet Wanda Nyberg of The Chamber of Commerce.  She had actually been my first internet contact.  It was she who told me where to stay; it was she who referred me to Ted.  Now it was she who enthusiastically hugged me like a long lost friend.  She was everything wonderful I imagined she would be. Collinsville could not have a better representative! 

 

 

Wanda

 

Two more special people awaited us:  Susan Worstell Sallee and her Father, Adam, who graciously invited us to their home. Susan had emailed me when she saw the photo I included in my first article showing our respective Fathers at a CHS 30’s Class Reunion. 

 

Susan, Adam

 

What an honor to be the recipients of their hospitality. What a highlight to take my picture next to them as my Father had done 20 years earlier.  What an opportunity to learn first hand the prominent role the Sallee family had played and continues to play in the life of Collinsville.

 

While Adam did not specifically remember my Father, his response was no less meaningful: He knew he would have picked him up at the airport because it was the natural thing to do when guests came to town. Coincidentally there is a Sallee living near me, with ties to Oklahoma.  I am pursuing this possible link to their family history, just as they helped link mine.

 

Two more memorable stops remained for the afternoon:  First The Collinsville News.  It was yet another “Omigosh, I can’t believe I am standing here” moment; that is how much this paper meant to my Father.  What a pleasure to meet Editor, Bill Johnston in person, since I had first met him in cyberspace.

 

The original Office

The current Office

 

Editor Bill Johnston

 

The last sight seeing stop of the day was The Pharmacy, where Ted told us we would be able to find a CHS Christmas ornament. We had to have one.  I was recognized the minute I inquired where in the store I might find it. Kristi said how much she enjoyed reading about my journey. Sherri and Joan quickly joined the conversation and received a sneak preview of its wonders.  Consistent with the welcome mat we found everywhere we went, Kristi gave us the ornament as a gift.  Oh the memories it will evoke when it sparkles on our tree, lit by real candles.

 

Kristi, Joan, Sherri

 

Ted graciously joined us for supper that night at Doug’s Grill, and we called it a night.

 

page 4