McHaffey Opera House

10/14/2026

This creepy doll (poor thing) would be ideal for a Halloween display! Available at McHaffey Opera House thrift sale. Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

10/13/2026

10/07/2026

McHaffey Opera House thrift sale has something for everyone, even the young 'uns. One of the cute toys we have is this animated Cocomelon. Come in and see what else you can find. Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

10/03/2026

Fairfield Ledger, December 7, 1904.
HOBO STEW--A Culinary Triumph That is Dear to the Tramp.
The professional hobo generally travels and operates alone, but if, upon arriving at some large town or city, he happens to meet some other congenial members of his profession, a pooling of interests is sometimes undertaken, a hobo camp set up, and the town is systematically worked. The spot or a camp usually chosen is in the outskirts on some wooded tract not too far from the railroad. Here the profits are divided and the different territories allotted. At nightfall, all congregate to this point with the spoils and supplies and over the "hobo stew" incidents of the day are discussed. "Hobo Stew" is a triumph of culinary art that this gentry have a particular weakness for. A large iron pot is purchased, begged or stolen and half filled with water. Into this are thrown pieces of beef, pork, chicken (from some robbed henroost), bread, potatoes, carrots, onions, and in fact, everything edible that has been or can be secured. When the savory mess is sufficiently boiled, it is eaten with much gusto by the tramp. These camps are never kept in existence long however, because the hobo realizes that the danger of detection and a roundup is an ever present one when a large number remain long together in any one camp. Professional tramps, like the birds, have regular migratory seasons. From April to September this tide of immigration is toward the northern and eastern states and the region of the middle west from November on through the winter his peregrinations take him south, southwest and to the southern Pacific coast.
(photo was taken in Waverly, Iowa in 1956 & courtesy of Fortepan)

Now this type of "Hobo Stew" may not sound very appetizing but tonight (Oct. 3) from 5 to 7 p.m. the Depot committee will be serving their version at the model railroad building in Eldon. We can assure that everything is on the up-and-up--no stolen kettles or supplies and only scrupulously clean hands have created a delicious meal for you! Let's all congregate and over the "hobo stew" discuss the incidents of the day. Proceeds benefit the Eldon Depot Museum.

09/30/2026

This metal advertising matchbox is available for sale at McHaffey Opera House thrift sale (minus the cobwebs). McDowell Produce was in business for many years in Batavia.

09/26/2026

Star News, October 22, 1942.
"Batavia News--40 Tons of Scrap Iron.
More than 40 ton of scrap iron has been collected in Batavia and vicinity for defense work. Students worked all day Saturday and Friday afternoon bringing in the old iron in little wagons, big wagons, trucks, tractors and any way to get it on the huge pile north of the Johnson garage. Eight ton of scrap iron had been collected in an early spring drive by the high school students, making a total of 48 ton from the community."

Thankfully, not all of the old iron got scrapped during the war years. Loving hands have salvaged pieces of our history and restored them to workable condition so that future generations can have a look at our past. The "Old Iron Show" is going on this weekend at the Wapello County Fairgrounds and WOW have they got a lot to look at and experience! Check it out!
(perhaps the scrap iron pile in Batavia looked similar to the one in this unidentified photo.)

09/23/2026

Fairy mushrooms seem to be popping up everywhere. We have noticed them in yards and pastures wherever we go. McHaffey Opera House thrift sale has this pretty, hand embroidered and crocheted mushroom table runner/dresser scarf for sale in our extensive inventory. Shop with us Monday thru Saturday, 8 a.m. to noon.

09/19/2026

It's the little things that count. Some things that we wouldn't think about today were a "big deal" to a former generation. A case in point is highlighted in this article from the Eldon Forum on Sept. 13, 1956:
DIFFERENT! THEY ACTUALLY WRITE! One of the mustiest jokes of all time died last week. The one about post office pens. New ball point pens have been put out in the post office for the use of patrons. They write, and what's more, they write smoothly, evenly, without spattering or tearing holes in the paper. Gone with the scratchy straight pens are the inkwells encrusted with a half-inch of shiny, gummy, dried on ink. Just in case anyone admires them so much that he wants to take one home to admire some more, they've been chained to the desk. If that doesn't stop pen pinchers, perhaps the knowledge that there's a $500 fine for having one in possession will.

09/19/2026

We're gonna take a little break tomorrow (Saturday) so the McHaffey Opera House thrift sale won't be open. But, hopefully, absence will make the heart grow fonder and we'll see you all on Monday when we'll be back in business!