MEN’S CLUB BY PAUL NETTLER It’s a beautiful American story. Reuben Freed, a Russian immigrant with absolutely no experience, goes into the restaurant business, and turns it into an iconic story—and in the depths of the Depression, no less! Such is the story of the Red Apple Rest. It’s a story beautifully described by Freed’s daughter, Elaine Freed Lindenblatt, at our meeting last October 7th. She wrote a book about it, entitled Stop At The Red Apple. The Red Apple Rest was a restaurant on the infamous Route 17 (a.k.a. Derma Road), the main highway to the Catskills at that time. It served over a million customers a year, and amongst those customers were many in our audience who reacted animatedly to Elaine’s story and the photos she displayed. For them, it was truly a poignant trip down Memory Lane. Combine that trip and her father’s Horatio Alger story, and it’s no wonder that many left the evening with a warm and fuzzy feeling. Elaine’s presentation was highlighted by many slides of pictures taken through the years, which drew instant recognition from many in the audience. Many celebrities would stop off for a little nosh and there is a great picture of Eddie Cantor in a bug-eyed conversation with Elaine’s father. Her father could be labeled a marketing genius. He negotiated an arrangement with the Greyhound Bus Company and the Boy Scouts to have their buses stop off at the restaurant so that the passengers could use the restrooms and get something to eat. He expanded the number of restrooms to lessen the waiting and make stopping off more conducive. He built a motel right across the highway whose residents of course would dine at the restaurant. Obviously, a business that complex had its fair share of problems. For instance, they had a problem with people trying to avoid paying, especially young men sneaking out through the bathroom windows. That was solved by putting up bars. 2015 November you sing, dance, play an instrument, n tell jokes? Come share your talent Courier with us. Don’t be shy, give it a try. Our next Men’s Club meeting will Rotten tomatoes will be confiscated But nothing lasts forever. A at the door. For information, contact Towers combination of Elaine’s father’s Bud Bank at 347-502-7365. Don’t death, changing vacation mores, and forget to come to our next meeting other faster highways to the Catskills and bring a dollar bill with your became too much to overcome. So in name on it. You might just win in Shore 1984 the Red Apple Rest, ironically our new “Chuck A Buck” game. born in the worst of times, died in one Would you like to know more North of the best of times. It closed its doors. about us? Then visit our web site But although it’s been more than at northshoretowersmensclub.org or thirty years, for some the memories call our president, Al Fuchs, at 917- 30 happily remain. 612-5350. be held on Thursday, November 12th, at 7:30 in the large card room. Our speaker will be Ann Margaret Carrozza, who is an expert on the subjects of Elder Law and Estate Planning, subjects that should be of interest to many of us. She is a renowned attorney who also served for 14 years as a New York State Assembly woman. She is an executive member of the NYS Bar Association, Elder Law Section and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. She is the Chairperson of the Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation Legal Advisory Board. She is also a TV legal contributor and has appeared on many shows such as Good Morning America and Dr. Phil. She has been quoted in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Crain’s and others. The Current Events Group, led by Gary Darche, met on October 5th in the Coleridge Lounge. Twelve men participated. As usual, there were interesting discussions and diverse opinions were expressed. Among the issues discussed were the reasonable regulation of firearms which the group supported and the overall impression of Pope Francis’s visit, which were positive. Questions were raised about the ability of the Republican Congressional majority to efficiently conduct government business after Speaker Boehner’s resignation and retirement from the House. The group was also concerned about the manipulation of drug prices and its resulting burdens on Medicare and the increased cost of health insurance. There was an informative discussion about Volkswagen’s cheating on emissions tests, an ongoing story that we will continue to follow. The next meeting will be on Monday, November 5th, at 10:30 in the Coleridge Lounge. Come and bring your opinions with you. If you would like additional information, call Gary Darche at 718-225-3060. The next meeting of the Book Club Group will be held on Monday November 9th in the Coleridge Lounge, at which time they will discuss the book they are currently reading, The World’s Fair, by E.L. Doctorow, so there is still time to join. Due to the fact that many of the members are snow birds, this will be their last meeting until April. If you have any questions, please contact Ralph Edwards at 347-235-0472. Our informal breakfasts on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 9:15 continue to attract a convivial group. However, there will be a change of venue. All breakfasts will now be held in the restaurant, no longer in the VIP Room. We have some interesting events planned for the month of November. On Wednesday, November 4th, a lunch is planned at Anthony’s on Union Turnpike at 1:00 pm. On Tuesday, November 10th at 11:00 am, we have scheduled a tour of our North Shore Towers power plant, generators and infrastructure. It should be fascinating. Stud Poker has now replaced Texas Hold ‘Em as the game of choice and on Tuesda, November 12th, there will be a Tourney starting at 6:30 pm in the downstairs card room. If interested, or if you have any other questions about our programs, contact Arnie Rabinowitz at 516-317- 6705. Lastly, Bingo is coming back on Sunday, November 29th at 7:00 pm, in the downstairs card room. And for all you Snow Birds, you will be getting a schedule of our events in the near future. Our casting call is still open. Can Red Apple Rest photos courtesy of Elaine Freed Lindenblatt Copies of “Stop at the Red Apple” can be purchased directly through the author via email at [email protected]. The author and her dad, Red Apple Rest owner, Reuben Freed
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