The Apple Cider Challenge

During our early years in NY, one of our favorite type of evenings was gathering some friends and playing board games. Ticket to Ride, Settlers of Catan, Elfenland and others were some of our favorites, and we had such a fun group with which to play. "Watch out for Jess." There were many great nights around dining room tables! Games played at the Himmelberger home were recorded on "the board" - a chalkboard attached to our dining room wall when we bought the house. We did not know what to do with it for months, but recording a game's title, winner and date seemed like a good option. Winners would be remembered for all time . . . until the board got full and we'd erase it to start over again : )

Sometimes the board would have an odd phrase or two, inside jokes or hidden words among the chalky letters. One fall, during apple season in NY, where delicious apple cider is plentiful, my friend Aaron boasted winning the Apple Cider Challenge. As I recall, we did not put a dent into the gallon jug that night, though once something was on the board we rarely had a reason to take it off.

It was during this board cycle that my Uncle Norton (wife's dad's brother) was making trip around the world and stopped by our home for a few days travelling West from his home in England. He served in the British Army and he once traveled East around the world on duty and technically lost a day to the time zones, so during this trip he was gaining it back! Norton was a tall man, with a booming voice and British accent, and upon seeing the board, asked, "What is an 'Apple Cider Challenge'? I gave a quick explanation of the board and that it was a joke between a friend and I.

Uncle Norton passed away a few years ago, and it wasn't until after his death that I realized something about this story. While with us, Norton would always ask for "apple crush" to drink with his meals. And having visited England a few times for work, I should have realized that across the pond "cider" is mainly "hard cider" - delicious, but alcoholic. So that "Apple Cider Challenge" Norton asked about? Riiiiight . . . he thought we must have had quite the night! (Did I mention my friend Aaron, who "won" the challenge, is a pastor?!!) When I see Uncle Norton in Heaven, and if we have a break from worshiping (he did like to sing too), this is definitely something I will need to clear up : ) We use to laugh about the story years ago, and I think I laugh about it more now. And still enjoy a nice apple crush in the Fall.