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APPLE FRITTER: HARD T0 FIND CRITTER

Where do you go for your apple fritter these days?

Treated myself to McCafe’s @ McDonald’s apple fritter. At $2.99, it’s worth the cost — it’s huge, laden with flicks of apples inside the doughnut, and it’s all properly cinnamon-flavored … and the outside texture, with sugary coat and apple bits, make it a winner.

The best apple fritter — oughtta call it the McFritter — is at McDonald’s McCafe.

I think it’s the best in its field. Napoleon Bakery at Zippy’s has had its version, which is no competition. Safeway bakeries used to have a contender; now, its fritter is a critter not worth buying, if you can even find one since the inventory is lean.

So If you’re a fritter fan, where do you go for your sugar fix?

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DID YOU MONOPOLIZE AS A CHILD?

Just asking…

What was the prevailing board game while you were growing up?

The one I  mostly played was Monopoly…have had several board sets over the years, including the Hawaiian edition.

If you played Monopoly, you needed family and friends to make the competish fun.

What was your favorite token, or charm, or kini, as locals called ‘em. I liked the thimble and the top hat, for no particular reason.

What’s your take on your fave game board?

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IS THE STRING GAME STILL PLAYED?

Just asking…

Wondering if today’s kids play the string-based game called Cat’s Cradle anymore?

When I was growing up time – back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth – everyone engaged in this simple but complex game, where a long, knotted string – we used to use those slightly thicker cords, in lieu of weaker thread-like strings for crocheting – is placed on both bands, and different motifs are formed.

More girls than boys played this string game.

The task can involve four hands, and even six, at a higher level of complication.

The string can be placed from one hand to another, with fingers taking over, leading up to somewhat tricky configurations.

Online books and video – not a visual tool, back in the day – now demonstrate what and how the cradle can stimulate fun and competition, without actual toys or action figures or iPads.

The string’s the thing.

Remember?

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REMEMBER YOUR COMMUNITY MOVIE THEATER?

Just asking…

Remember stand-alone movie theaters?

Before the arrival of mega-plex movie theaters, there used to be your community go-to-place for film-watching. One screen only.

Palama Theatre

And it worked: screens in Kaimuki, Liliha, Kapahulu, Kailua, Kewalo, Kuhio (in Waikiki), Waikiki, Palama, Aala, etc. Titles rotated – though the Kuhio and Waikiki were deemed first-run spaces, becoming road show sites with extended showings of hit titles.

Kewalo Theatre

Other theaters had names like Royal, King, Queen, Princess, Liberty, Cinerama, Roosevelt, Golden Wall instead of place-oriented names.

Multi-plexes – sites with anywhere from six to 10 screens – are the norm now, offering choices of films and even luxe seats. And higher prices, for everything, from admission to snack bar items.

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RECALL THE CHINESE CHECKERS GAME?

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Just asking:

Anybody still play the long-forgotten Chinese checkers game?

You remember how it all works, often with marbles, sometimes with pegs placed in holes, to hop over your competitor?

My game board was a circular tray, with the triangular sectors hiding storage space to put the marbles to rest until the next game.

Any thoughts to share?