“Get ready. When Granny sees those french fries she’s gonna start in on one of her stories.”
“Stories? Like what?”
“Well, like the time she and her friend Louise peeled four tons of potatoes in one week at the Red Apple Rest. FOUR TONS! Really?!”
“I heard they condemned that old place.”
“To hear her tell it, that place was hopping back in the day. If you really want to get her going, ask her about George.”
“Hey Granny, Tommy said to ask you about George.”
“Ha ha! That George!” Granny guffawed, “Taught me my first cuss word, Fu…”
“Granny!”
~kat
100 Words for Rochelle Wisoff-Fields Friday Fictioneers flash fiction challenge based on the photo above, of the Red Apple Rest by J. Hardy Carroll.
A quick search on Google revealed the history of this old, abandoned building. According to Wikipedia, The Red Apple Rest was a cafeteria-style restaurant on New York State Route 17, in the Southfields section of Tuxedo, New York. It was a noted way station for people traveling to the hotels of the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. It was also a favorite stop for celebrities and entertainers. Comedians were known to hang out late at night at The Red Apple Rest, practicing their acts for the waitstaff. One notable regular was George Carlin.
Blogger, Messy Nessy gives an entertaining glimpse into this iconic destination HERE.
like mercury colliding... 
September 28th, 2017 at 4:01 am
I opened the story because I was intrigued by the title – where did the idea for a story about potatoes come from?!? I’m glad I did – a funny insight into family relationships.
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October 1st, 2017 at 5:48 pm
There was a blurb in the history of the restaurant. It was so busy one summer that they really did go through 4 tons of potatoes in a week! That was my launching point imagining one of the potato peelers years later. 😊
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October 2nd, 2017 at 3:28 am
It certainly brought out a good story. Thank you for the added insight.
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October 2nd, 2017 at 2:13 pm
You’re welcome.
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September 28th, 2017 at 4:14 am
Nice bit of research and lovely story. Bet she has some stories to tell!
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September 28th, 2017 at 6:31 am
Thank you! It’s a shame that progress, waning tourism, and highways render great places like that obsolete!
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September 28th, 2017 at 8:34 am
It’s a great shame.
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September 28th, 2017 at 5:44 am
LOL my granny never told a story like that!
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September 28th, 2017 at 6:50 am
Haha! Mine neither! 😀
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September 28th, 2017 at 4:51 pm
🙂
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September 28th, 2017 at 5:59 am
Thank you for a bit of light relief! Great little yarn.
Click to read my FriFic!
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September 28th, 2017 at 6:52 am
Thank you! I learned that they really did go through four tons of potatoes on month in the summer of their hay day. Fascinating place!
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September 28th, 2017 at 7:19 am
Love this Kat and the history too!
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September 28th, 2017 at 1:49 pm
Thanks Willow. This place has a great story!
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September 28th, 2017 at 4:04 pm
Amazing 💗💗
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September 28th, 2017 at 8:26 am
Dear Kat,
Good piece of historical fiction. I’m glad someone did a story of the actual place. I started to but got hijacked from the path. 😉 Nicely done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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September 28th, 2017 at 9:12 am
It has a fascinating history. One account I read said that it’s mysterious closing for good was prefaced by a handwritten note on the front door that said, “Closed for graduation and vacation.” Allegedly it never reopened after that. I love the stories of old places. And the 4 tons of potatoes? That is apparently true! 😊
Peace to you,
Kat
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September 28th, 2017 at 9:15 am
Did a lot of potato peeling myself, back in the army years. Heard a lot of cussing too. Good one Kat
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September 28th, 2017 at 1:47 pm
Me too in the Marine Corps. We had this barrel contraption that tossed the potatoes by spinning them. One time my friend and I had Kitchen detail together. We got to talking, forgot about the tater peeler and before we knew it we had a barrel of fingerling potatoes. Reminded me of a scene from the Lucy show. (Lucy and Ethel at the chocolate dipping factory!) haha!
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September 28th, 2017 at 11:50 am
Gotta love Granny 🙂 Great story, made me smile.
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September 28th, 2017 at 1:32 pm
I am ever mindful not to let a naughty word fly when around the grandkids…but there have been a few close calls! 😜
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September 28th, 2017 at 4:51 pm
Fabulous kick-back to the Good ole days. 😎😎😎🥀🥀🥀
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September 28th, 2017 at 7:48 pm
LOL! What an irrepressible grandmother.
Mine is here: http://www.aliceaudrey.com/?p=15270
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September 28th, 2017 at 7:51 pm
Ha ha! Yep. She’s a gem!
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September 29th, 2017 at 2:07 pm
This was so funny! Good ending 😊
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September 29th, 2017 at 2:14 pm
Thank you Vivian! It was such a cool place to write about. 😊
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September 30th, 2017 at 3:58 am
Haha!
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September 30th, 2017 at 6:56 am
😊
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September 30th, 2017 at 10:45 am
Grannies and their stories. They are all kinds. A nice historical fiction Kat. Thanks for sharing the history of the place.
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September 30th, 2017 at 11:21 am
Yes Norma! I’ve heard some doozies from my own grannies! The place had quite a popular run back in the day! 😊
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October 1st, 2017 at 12:39 am
Our grandma didn’t really like us so the stories she told us were about how smart our cousins were.😑
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October 1st, 2017 at 12:49 am
Oh my. That’s sad. 😟
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October 1st, 2017 at 1:10 am
As a child I was as self-centered as any child. I never thought, “What makes her tick? I should get to know her.” All I knew was she was kind of spiteful. I wish I’d made more effort when I could.
But I think it happens often — or used to— that the man’s mother doesn’t think her son married “right” and doesn’t like the daughter-in-law, consequently has no interest in the grand-kids. It’s amazing how much of a drag a mother-in-law’s opposition can be on a marriage.
But this is completely off topic. Glad this grandma could pass on some info, though she’d best watch her speech. 🙂
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October 2nd, 2017 at 10:11 pm
Your story is heartbreaking. I’m glad you felt you could share it with me. I wish you peace. And do hope that your life is surrounded by people who do think you matter…because, you do Christine. ❤
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October 1st, 2017 at 5:38 pm
I wish I’d put forth some effort to get to know her, but she lived far away so I didn’t see much of her and she seemed to have no real interest in bonding with me. Oh, well.
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October 1st, 2017 at 5:44 pm
I only got to know on of my grandmothers well. Distance played a role in not seeing my other as much. 😟
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October 3rd, 2017 at 1:06 am
Awesome take on the photo prompt
Click Here to see what Mrs. Dash Says
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