My Day Friday – Schwartz's to One-Eighty Consignment to Girard Dinor to Fudge Caboose

Hey Gang,

What a fun day on Friday. My sister Cindi and John invited Ruth and I to a country store near Albion, Pa.. Even though I had more than enough on my plate of things to do I jumped at the chance to go on a day trip. I suggested that maybe we could go eat at the Girard Dinor afterwards. Besides those loose plans nothing else was planned, just the way I like it.

We headed out about noon to Jacob & Delila - Schwartz's Country Store, in Springsboro. Schwartz's is not that big of a store but boy is it packed just like a country store should be. They have things I haven't seen in years like made in America goods and other toys and doodads that I thought were long gone. I definitely would go back.

From Schwartz's I used my inner compass and got us heading north towards Girard before Cindi used her GPS. Her route had us going into Albion then Girard. Albion is a neat little town. If you are driving east into Albion on 6N, I know doesn't make sense – N usually means north, you will see a consignment/antique/thrift shop. John had no choice but to stop otherwise we may of jumped out while the car was moving, yeah we do get that excited. The name of the store is One-Eighty Consignment & Thrift Shoppe.

The sandwich board type sign in front had this written on it -

New & Old Retro! Weird Stuff! Cool Junk! Everyday Necessities!

I walked in asking where is the weird stuff to two young ladies working. One replied the weird stuff is everywhere. I in turn said That's weird!

I've been carrying my books Hey Gang! Ready to Go-Go? and promoting it every chance I get. You never know what store may want to carry it. I asked the gentleman at the desk if he was the owner, he was so I said this is my book, take a look at it while I shop.

We finished our shopping so approached Pierino the owner and asked his thoughts on the book. We had a nice conversation. He was honest and said I have found people won't pay retail in a store like this, but I love traveling and your book looks interesting so I'll buy a copy.

From One-Eighty Consignment we headed north on 18 when we spotted a garage sale. We stopped, c'mon you had to know that was coming. Everything was just about gone but I did find one antique miniature bottle for a dime. Before leaving I told the man I wrote a book based on my travels let me show it to you. Before even getting it he said I'll buy one, I love traveling. His name was Robert. He told me a few stories of his family travels with his wife of many years and that he restores cars. In his barn is a model A. We made tentative plans for me to stop back someday.

Finally we made it to Girard but not before stopping at one more second hand store and again you knew that was coming. Finally it was off to the Girard Dinor. It was good to see the little restaurant still in business and almost as I remember it. They no longer stay open 24 hours and the counter area is seldom used as business is not what it once was but the food is as good as it always was. They are known for their chicken and the Dinosaur Burger, that's what I got. It comes with or without potato's. It's so filling I couldn't finish my potato's.

Across the street from the Girard Dinor is the Fudge Caboose. We stopped in for an ice cream. Well they did, sometimes I don't do well with ice cream. The owner kept tempting to buy one and I almost succumbed until I turned around and spotted their chocolate counter. I settled on their small peanut butter cups. Delicious! They have gourmet ice cream in flavors like Blueberry Cheesecake, fudge in flavors like Orange Chocolate, Heath Bar fudge, Butterfinger Fudge, Mint Chocolate Swirl, gummy bears, chocolate and other good eats. The owners names are Guelda and George.

I showed Guelda my book and before I said anything she said why don't you leave it on the counter and try to sell it. I said OK how about if I bring in a few more copies. I gave her some promo's for the book and she immediately put up a nice display for me.

So besides having a friend, um make that friends in Pennsylvania my books have found a new home.

These are the links to the places I mentioned if you care to take a road trip and enjoy them as I have or if in the area and want my book stop by the Fudge Caboose.

One-Eighty Consignment &Thrift Shoppe

http://www.180savings.com/index.html
https://www.facebook.com/180cnt

Girard Dinor

https://www.facebook.com/GirardDinor

http://www.allmenus.com/pa/girard/258753-girard-dinor/menu/ the prices here may have changed

And Finally....
Fudge Caboose

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Fudge-Caboose/1391619541149145

Hats off to owner George who has completed the course for the Fudge Caboose and is now a certified FOOD SAFETY MANAGER for the state of Pennsylvania – Way to go George!


PS: check back to this posting as I will post some additional info on Jacob & Delila - Schwartz's Country Store
PSS Thanks John & Cindi for the fun day trip!
Gotta Go-Go!
Carey

                                       

books 99 and 100

Hey Gang,
Well celebration time, my 99th and 100th copy of Hey Gang! Ready to Go-Go? were sold today.
OK maybe not record setting but it does make me feel good. Remember there is no big PR or advertising going on. It's mostly me smiling and shaking hands.

The 99th book went to waitress Andrea of Harvard Inn restaurant on 71st St. in Cleveland.
I started joking with her and she said people come for the food but get abused here.
I said what is the connection with this other restaurant being advertised on your paper place mats? Then I added OH I get it, your slogan is if your think our food is bad you should try this other restaurant.

Andrea laughed and asked where I was from. One topic led to another led to her buying my book.
She then told a story of when she moved to California back in the 80's. The garage thought she was nuts when she wanted a hitch installed. Why did they think that? Her car was a Pontiac Fiero. Andrea told them do it or she would go somewhere else.

It took her 9 days to get to California pulling a U-Haul with her little Fiero as she would only drive from 6am to 2pm not to overwork the car.
She encountered dust storms and blistering heat but the scariest was when she came across a cattle stampede. Andrea buried her face in her hands and prayed. She thought for sure they would destroy her car.
But her biggest frustration occurred at her new apartment in California. One of the reasons she needed a bigger U-Haul was to transport the waterbed she just bought in Cleveland. The apartment she signed a lease with had a no water bed policy.
So she hauled that BIG waterbed all the way out there for nothing.

Andrea said she hopes we would be back. I said I will, you can read about my stories and I can hear about your stories.

Oh, how was the food. I ordered the fish fry. Chris the cook told me he hand breads it every morning. It was delicious and inexpensive but you have to get there early.
The Harvard Inn closes at 4pm.

Book 100 was sold to Cameron.
I was walking towards one of my janitorial accounts when I saw one of their employees Cameron walk in right before me.
He said he was in the neighborhood so decided to stop in.
Since I haven't seen him in sometime I told him about my book. Cameron immediately wanted one.
When we were done talking and the transaction for the book was completed he left.
I guess another perfect timing story.

Now my next milestone number is.....
Gotta Go-Go!!
Carey

Perfect Timing

 Painesville Co-Op – story one
I had just come out of the mens room at Painesville Co-Op. Right outside of it is a bulletin board where ads are posted for either wanting to buy or selling your collectible. I was looking over the ads when my phone rang. I answered it. The call was from the Antique Co-Op. I was a bit confused as I have spaces at both the Wickliffe and Painesville Co-Op.                                                                  
The lady calling wanted to know the price of an item I had. It was obviously mislabeled. When she described what it was I immediately realized this was Painesville calling. Without letting on I was there I slowly walked up to the desk while talking to her still on my phone. Finally I got so close she got startled. She laughed and hung up.                                     
The item was a card holder, sort of like a recipe box but instead this was filled with cards describing house plants and how to care for them. Somehow we mislabeled it as Arnold Schwarzenegger. I said well obviously Arnold must be labeled as the card holder.                                                                       
I told her the price was ten dollars. Perfect that was what the customer was willing to pay. She hollered the price to the customer who was just checking out. The customer yelled back I'll take it.
Perfect timing!


Painesville Co-Op – story two
This past Thursday was my last day at the Painesville Co-Op. I was busy wrapping up my stuff. Each customer I greeted with - This is my last day, if you see anything you like make an offer. I had only a few more items left to wrap when a gentleman walked by.                                                                       
I said there is not much left unpacked but if you want to make an offer please do so. He was not looking to buy anything he was just browsing the store. He asked what will I be doing now. I replied this is only for extra money but I am going to another store. I handed him my janitorial flier and the postcard advertising my book. He was curious about the book but before he said anything more about it he said if ever in Salamanca, NY check out their antique mall.        
   I replied I know all about that mall and went on to tell him the story of my fathers connection to Salamanca. He was impressed and said sounds like the start of another book or at least write 100 words, people would find it fascinating.
 We then made formal introductions and went back to talking more about my book. Tom is close to retiring and is starting a new business.                                                                                               
What is Tom's new business? It is a website devoted to books called http://books2hear.com/goog_1741685038">. We shook hands and both of us were on our way.
Perfect timing!

Wickliffe Co-Op - story three
Saturday I briefly stopped in the Wickliffe Co-Op. I wanted to drop off a few items to be placed in my booth. I walked in and headed directly towards my space when a saleswoman passed me with a salt n pepper shaker. I recognized it immediately as the set I was selling and that she didn't have the complete set.          
  I said Ma'am excuse me but there is another piece to those. The customer was still standing besides my display. He thanked me because he would have left with out both pieces.
Perfect timing!

Grafton - story four 
Saturday was a memorial for a friends son in Avon Lake which is almost 40 miles from my house. A day before the memorial I was informed there was a landscape/garden center accepting barter in Grafton which is closer to Avon Lake than my house. I first went to the garden center.                           Afterwards instead of heading immediately to the memorial I told Ruth its been years since I was in the little downtown, if you could call it that, of Grafton so lets go there next.                                      
I parked on Main Street and took a walk looking through windows of closed and open businesses and those vacant. Sitting on a bench was an elderly woman. She asked what are you looking for? I said what ever I can see, like you. Actually I haven't been here in years and was reminiscing of the stores I remember. I also thought of walking the railroad tracks to find the board with my DNA on it.                              
One time I was walking the tracks looking for old bottles I slipped and when I stood up I had a board with a nail on it stuck to my ass. She laughed and said well one time I was sitting on the couch at home. Besides me was a plate of food. I stood up and felt something. My sister said Hey you have a pork chop bone sticking in your butt. We laughed and proceeded to reminisce about the stores that were on Main Street.
                                                         
Some I remembered like Durkees which was a fabulous place with all kinds of knickknacks and gadgets. Other stores the lady remembered I had no recollection. The original mill that was right on the edge of the rail road tracks and Main Street was demolished. What remained of the old grain silo was moved about 50 yards and I believe is just there as a historic marker.                                 
Outside of town corporations have invaded which is draining Main Street even more, I guess like in Everywhere USA.                                                                                                                               
The ladies name was Verline. She is a widow and sits on the bench on Main Street just about every day witnessing to people about Christ. She told me how she tries her best to lead the young to God. Everyone has a purpose and no one is useless not matter how old or what condition you're in. Verline found hers.                                                                                                                                                I told her about my book and she immediately wanted one. We needed change so I went and bought her a pop. I signed the book this way... Only in America can you talk to strangers about things that got stuck in your butt. God Bless.                                  
                                                                         
  If ever passing through Grafton look for Verline on Main Street, stop and say hi. If you don't your visit will be incomplete.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsxAUxkARiM

Have you ever had one of those day?

Hey Gang
Have you ever had one of those day? I did last night.

The day started fine working the Wickliffe antique co-op until 6:30. The plans afterwards was supper then head to Cleveland for work. The first thing to go wrong was I came down with a headache so a nap was in order that made us late, then I forgot the phone number to a van I am interested in buying which was followed by us forgetting the front door code of the building we were scheduled to clean. Good thing someone was entering the underground garage so I was able to zoom ahead of him to get in.

The jobs scheduled were a condo and the main office. The condo had a leak from the ceiling obviously coming from the condo above it. Then the patio door that I had unlocked broke, no matter how I tried it would not lock back up. We completed the condo cleaning and proceeded to load the elevator with our equipment.

I went up first to the 9th floor to unlock the office door when I realized I forgot the key. Back down to my van to search for the key. It was futile, I remember leaving it in my car at home. I go back to the 5th floor to inform Ruth – whoops I forgot the key.

I lock up the condo while Ruth finished loading the elevator. I  grab the remaining bucket, and join Ruth in waiting for the elevator to open. It didn't. Tried again and again nothing.

So I go down to the second floor and knock on the landlords door. Good thing he was awake. I explain the elevator isn't working. He tried the buttons and nothing for him either. He said follow me we will walk the steps and see if the elevator is stopped on a floor. Nope, floor after floor no luck, the elevator broke. All our equipment and Ruth's wallet were stuck in the elevator. but there was nothing he could do at 1 am.


 I get home, get undressed, turn on the TV and let out a big OH NO, I forgot the food. My sister called twice while in the condo to remind me don't forget to stop by, I have pie and a few other things for you that I will leave on the porch. Oh well, I hope the cats don't get it.

So have you ever had one of those days? Or nights?
Gotta Go-Go! Carey