Hoosiers prepare for Senator Clinton's visit

George Azar, owner of the Saratoga, said he only found out the day before that his restaurant would be the location for Clinton's visit.

Azar said he suspected the restaurant was chosen because it is one of the oldest restaurants in Terre Haute, is centrally located and has been "a hub of political activity for many, many years."

Secret Service members had to check and clear the building before the event, Azar said. He also brought in extra staff and rearranged tables to prepare for the extra-large crowd.

"I thought it went very well," Azar said after the event. "It was really more our honor than anything."

Connie Cooper, a Terre Haute resident and Clinton supporter, also found out on short notice she would be participating in Clinton's visit.

"I got a phone call two days ago from somebody from the presidential campaign committee who asked if I was interested in helping," Cooper said. "Two and a half years ago, my husband and I went to see Bill Clinton at Ball State and he talked about who would be interested in helping if his wife ran for office and a bunch of us signed up to help. Apparently, they had saved our numbers."

Cooper said she and her husband came bright and early to make themselves available. They did everything from asking people if they planned on voting for Clinton to setting up chairs for people outside.

"They gave my husband a homemade sign to hold up," Cooper said. "When Hillary came into the restaurant she saw him standing in the front and said, 'Well, I like your sign, good job,' and lightly touched the end of his fingers."

The sign had the popular slogan: Hoosiers 4 Hillary, a phrase Clinton herself closed with during her speech.