McHaffey Opera House

06/22/2026

McHaffey Opera House thrift sale will open a little later than usual tomorrow (Monday). We should be open by 10 a.m.

06/20/2026

06/19/2026

McHaffey Opera House thrift sale will be closed tomorrow (Saturday). Sorry for the inconvenience.

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06/17/2026

Heads up! The Wapello County Fair starts today! As a nod to our agricultural community, the McHaffey Opera House thrift sale is highlighting a couple of pig cutting boards for sale. Drop in and see what else you can find.

06/13/2026

Here's how we celebrated American Gothic Days in the '70's.

06/10/2026

Stay cool! McHaffey Opera House thrift sale has a couple of desk fans for sale. Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.
(photo courtesy of Fortepan Iowa)

06/06/2026

Eldon Forum, June 14, 1956.
LITTLE CHAIR HAS LONG HISTORY--120 Years of It. Standing in the Forum window is a little chair with a big story--and a brand new bottom. The little red chair was made almost 120 years ago by a father who wanted to please his little daughter. The daughter grew up to be Mrs. Locke, and she, in her turn, had a daughter who became Mrs. Harmon (Minerva) Fite. It passed down the line to Bob Fite and at a recent auction of his personal effects in Ottumwa, the little red chair was up for sale. It was purchased by Clyde McClure as a sentimental gesture. The McClures and the Fites were neighbors and all five of the McClure sons sat in the chair as little fellows. Now, visiting McClure grandchildren find it as fascinating as the little girl who first had it 120 years ago. Date of the handmade chair is established by the fact that Mrs. Locke was born in 1836 and the size of the chair indicates it was made for a two or 3 year old child at the most. It is put together with wooden pegs. The front and back parts show the slight irregularities of hand-turned work. The little chair is still sturdy and sound. It has a brand new hickory bark bottom put in by Mr. McClure who went down to the timber and peeled the bark himself. The new seat and the old chair look perfectly capable of lasting another 120 years, to please another five generations of children.
(perhaps the chair looked similar to the one pictured, courtesy of Fortepan Iowa. We hope someone still has it and knows the history of it.)

06/03/2026

Celebrate the USA's 250th milestone with patriotic decor. McHaffey Opera House thrift sale has some options for you, including these Frankoma plates depicting events from our past. USA! USA! USA!

05/30/2026

Eldon Forum, May 6, 1920--LIBERTY SCHOOL PICNIC SATURDAY. Past School Year Considered Successful From Every Viewpoint.
The annual school picnic of Liberty School, a pleasant trip was held Saturday, May the 1st. The crowd, about fifty in all, gathered about 11 o'clock, and soon a sumptuous dinner was spread. Anyone seeing the bountiful tables would never have dreamed that sugar is 35 cents a pound and potatoes, six dollars a bushel. Yet, at the same time, there was profiteering going on as each one tried to see who could consume the most eats. After dinner a splendid program was given by which they made us know that spring was really coming and that the powerful sun can surely make a beautiful flower garden. The remainder of the day was spent in a social way and it made us all think of our own by-gone school days when we were a couple of kids together. We consider the past school year one of the very best, most profitable and exceedingly pleasant to all concerned, due mostly to the teacher, Miss Anna Strickland, helped greatly by the pupils and patrons. The attendance of the year was extra good, some coming two miles through the storms and over muddy roads. One, Clarance Stewart, was neither absent nor tardy the entire year. How the parents ought to sacrifice to allow their children to go to school and get an education when they are willing, under such conditions, to go. Demonstrations of the work of the year was shown, both in the program and on the walls of the school room. All about you were the maps, compositions, drawings, clay modeling, etc. Let us give due honor to the good country school teachers while they are with us, for they are not to be here always--an improved method is fast taking the place of the little cherished school house. May next year bring us all together again, each one a little older and a little wiser.

05/27/2026

Y'all seem to be enjoying the large collection of books that were recently donated. There are plenty left, besides what we already had on hand. School is out for the summer but keep those kids in the habit of reading and learning! McHaffey Opera House thrift hours are Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.