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1959 Kennedy visit recalled in Geauga
(by Joan Demirjian - December 07, 2011)
1959 Kennedy visit recalled in Geauga
By JOAN DEMIRJIAN
In 1959, the late John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline paid an unscheduled visit to Geauga County.
While in the county, they were escorted to the Chardon Maple Festival by Auburn resident John Reithoffer. Mr. Kennedy had not yet announced his candidacy for president.
The late Amelia Lamoreaux, a Chester freelance photographer, recorded the activities that day with many photos. She left the original negatives to Mr. Reithoffer, a 77-year resident of Auburn.
One of the photos shows Mrs. Kennedy pouring Geauga County Maple Syrup into a spoon for Mr. Kennedy to taste. Mr. Reithoffer donated a copy of the photo for a book, "Chardon and Chardon Township." Historic photographs were collected by residents Deborah Chuha, William Jackson and Joan Windnagel for the Chardon Bicentennial Celebration.
Another Lamoreaux photo of the Kennedys, showing them being interviewed on Chardon Square, was donated for the book from the collection of Rob and Marie Smith.
Mr. Reithoffer recalled how Ms. Lamoreaux gave him all of her negatives of the Kennedy photos. "She was very fair in her reporting and very honest," he said.
At the time, Mr. Reithoffer was chairman of the Geauga County Democratic Party, chairman of the Congressional District and a member of the Geauga County Board of Elections.
He recalled how he received a call from Ray T. Miller, chairman of the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party. Mr. Miller asked Mr. Reithoffer if he wanted to host John F. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline in Geauga County for three hours.
"The Kennedys were going to be in Akron for a big fundraiser and rally, and we were having the Maple Festival," Mr. Reithoffer said.
"Ray made the arrangements, and we picked the Kennedys up at Lost Nation Airport in Willoughby," he said.
Mr. Reithoffer recalled how Farinacci Buick Cadillac Dealer, near Chardon, furnished two Cadillac convertibles and drivers for the trip, Mr. Miller was also there with extra cars if they were needed, he said.
"We took Jackie and Jack to Chardon," Mr. Reithoffer said. Louis Robusky was the Geauga County sheriff at the time. The sheriff's offices were on Chardon Square, and the offices included the jail, communication center and living quarters for the sheriff and his family.
"The sheriff's wife and her friends set up a lunch buffet in the dwelling part of the offices," Mr. Reithoffer said."
They entertained the Kennedys, who then participated in the Maple Festival parade.
While Mr. Kennedy had not yet announced his candidacy for the presidency, he was preparing the groundwork, Mr. Reithoffer said. He met with members of the Geauga County Democratic Party while talking with people.
"At first, he was quiet," Mr. Reithoffer said of their trip from the airport. "When we were talking, he found out I was a veteran of the Navy and he was, too. He became more open, because we had a common ground." However, much of the conversation centered on politics, he said.
While they were at the sheriff's residence, Mr. Kennedy didn't have a chance to eat at the buffet, so Mrs. Kennedy put a wrapped-up ham and cheese sandwich in her purse.
"He ate the crumpled-up sandwich in the car while we were on our way back to the airport," Mr. Reithoffer said.
"I asked him if he was going to run for president, and he said, 'Of course, but not for publication,'" Mr. Reithoffer said.
"He kept talking about how much fun he had," he said. "He enjoyed his visit, and Jackie interjected her comments as well," Mr. Reithoffer said.
"It was an interesting part of Geauga County history."They were two very charismatic people."
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