The hotel is right across the street from the Princess Restaurant which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2009. I've stopped here before and tested the signature coconut cream pie but hadn't had a full meal before. Tonight I ordered chicken. Why? Because that's what Harry had.

Harry Truman's stop here in 1953 is covered in Matthew Algeo's recently published Harry Truman's Excellent Adventure. Matthew was in town last night for a book signing and had naturally eaten at the Princess before heading to the bookstore across the street. I've just finished the book and am in the process of reviewing it. I briefly met Matthew at a signing in Richmond, Indiana, a couple of weeks ago. I missed meeting him again by one day. Small world. When I realized that the "Truman booth" was right behind me, I moved to the booth for a moment so that a waitress could take my picture. Back at the counter, I learned that the photo hanging in the booth was taken by the father of the fellow sitting just to my right. Last night, the son had taken Matthew Algeo's picture while the author sat in the booth. Small world. My next discovery was that it was the youngest member of the Pappas family who had taken my picture. It was her great grandfather who started the place and it's her father who runs it now. Before long I was chatting with owner George W. Pappas as if we were old friends. It was a delightful visit with some great folks and the chicken was darned good, too.