Posted by Kit Lo @ 07/05/2003 10:20 AM PST

Help me! Help me!

Posted by David Hedison @ 07/05/2003 10:41 AM PST

Hmmmmm.....haven't had a particularly memorable July 4th...hmmm....and I don't know from donuts.

But I am going to post anyway.

I am waiting for the mailman to arrive to hopefully bring me a new DVD to watch. And I am hoping that Hallmark Channel will be showing some Alfred Hitchcock Hours tonight and that they will be interesting.

So much rain last night and today that there is a Flood Watch out for my area....if it rains anymore, the growing plants around my house will once and for all reach the roof top.

Posted by Jrand52 @ 07/05/2003 10:44 AM PST

I'm still having fits of grins over BK using Film Score Monthly to kill the third fly!

My favorite 4th of July was in 1976. I was stationed in Naples, Italy. Most of the military in Naples practically lived at Carney Park from Spring through early Fall. The park is the 96-acre floor of an extinct volcano in the Pozzuoli area of greater Naples. The U.S. Navy has managed/protected/groomed this area since the 1950s and it is spectacular. It can support various sports leagues throughout the spring, summer and fall; it also boasts an 18-hole golf course which is managed/maintained by NATO forces.

It also hosts an annual carnival called Festa Americana during which the gates are opened and our Italian host nationals are welcomed in to have fun "American" style.

On July 4th, 1976, the year of our Bicentennial, a spectacular fireworks display was on hand; our British military neighbors had booths set up near the golf course to celebrate the Silver Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. The Naples Little Theater, of which I was a member, was offering "free" summer open-air performances of "You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown" as a thank you to the community for unprecedented support during our preceding season at which all our performances were sell-outs and our coffers were full.

I was "young", enervated by living in Italy, had a tight-knit group of friends who never let me forget they cared about me, and was only slightly disappointed not to be in the U.S. during the Bicentennial celebrations. That day -- that 4th of July -- began early with set-up for the play, staking out of picnic area, hauling in of coolers, ice, drinks and foodstuffs to feed a small army. At various times of the day I watched a baseball game, a softball game, bought some commemorative items of QEII's jubilee, eaten shish kebobs sold by a youth organization, consumed massive quantities of beer, trekked back and forth to the men's restroom, assisted in the performance of the musical play, and then settled in with friends cooking chicken and ribs and consuming potato salad and other picnic goodies. The day ended, just after sunset, on one of the ball fields where a few thousand Americans, Italians and other nationalities sat back and watched a beautiful display of fireworks.

It was a memorable day among days to remember.

Posted by Ron Pulliam @ 07/05/2003 10:53 AM PST

BK - Details on the job please.

Most memorable 4th of July - I was so fed up with all the Bicentenial Hype (the "Official Bicentenial Book of Broadway Sheet Music" was the straw that broke the camel's back) that I spent July 4, 1976 in Canada - Toronto to be exact. I saw a wonderful production of "Rocky Horror Show" (before the movie turned stage productions into scream at the stage events); Shirley MacLaine in concert (complete with every "ad lib" on the record of the concert); and the pre-London tryout with the Americans in England cast of A CHORUS LINE which was just as wonderful in a large theatre as it had been off-Broadway at the Public.

Favorite Doughnuts - While attending Northern Illinois University I used to go to a place called Spudnuts which made doughnuts from a potato batter and then deep fried them. They were delicious and over 40 years later have still spoiled me for any other doughnut.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/05/2003 11:59 AM PST

My most memorable 4th of July was, of course, yesterday, because it was just yesterday. Otherwise, 1976 was pretty memorable. We lived in Colorado, which is the Centennial State. We celebrated the Bicentennial of the U. S. and the Centennial of Colorado. There were celebrations all over the place. I remember one event that we attended had items that were being put into a time capsule, which was going to be put on top of Pike's Peak and opened in 2076. There was a big giant scroll and everyone could sign it. I signed it 5 times! My dad couldn't be there that day, so he said that one of my signatures was for him (his name is also George).

Posted by George @ 07/05/2003 12:00 PM PST

I just had a lovely Fourth of July. Good friends from LA were here. We spent the day watching our small town parade, followed by a craft fair and music in the park. In the evening we went back into town, along with Echo, and watched the fireworks.

This was always a great holiday for me when I was a child. We lived around the corner from Rancho Park in Cheviot Hills. We would just walk to the park where there was often a carnival prior to the fireworks. I had fun on the rides, ate cotton candy, then watched the fireworks.

Best Donuts: Of course, chocolate donuts from the Helms Bakery. Crumb donuts from Winchell's Donuts, not the new ones over glazed donuts, but the original style on a cake donut. I can't remember the name of the donut shop across from the Bruin Theater in Westwood. It has been there, at least, since I was sixteen. They still have the best apple fritters. Keith and I shared a Crispy Creme glazed donut once and it was very good, however, I don't crave it.

Posted by Jane @ 07/05/2003 12:01 PM PST

Hmmm, this “fly” problem is a puzzlement, BK, (an R&H reference) but didn’t you mention that you saw David (Al) Hedison just last weekend? Perhaps, this is his way of sending you a message? (Or not) Maybe a Frank Sinatra “Fly Me to the Moon” moment? Or worse, a Frank Sinatra / Jackie Gleason “Fly Me to the Moon, Alice” moment? Oh dear, I am losing it.

Best Fourth of July? Probably the Bicentennial Fourth, when I was living on Lake Washington in Seattle, and we had a big barbecue with lots of family and friends, and then we drove to downtown Seattle in time to catch the fireworks. It is only memorable in retrospect. Nothing earth shattering happened. Just lots of good food, good people, and good fun.

Best donut? I guess I am in the minority. I don’t see the great appeal of Krispy Kreames. There is certainly nothing wrong with them, and I enjoy them, but I don’t understand why people are willing to wait in line for hours here in Washington, just to buy a box of donuts. The glazed donuts from the bakery down the street from where I grew up, or the homemade donuts my baby-sitter made when I was a tiny tot, evoke stronger feelings in me than any of these so-called “great” donuts being marketed today.

Posted by TCB @ 07/05/2003 12:18 PM PST

Ah yes, DR WEL, I had forgotten about Spudnuts. You are correct. They were the very best.

Posted by TCB @ 07/05/2003 12:22 PM PST

It's interesting that I seem to be the only one who was so upset with the over-commercialism of the Bicentenial that I left the country for the day. To me, something as important as our country's 200th birthday should not be turned into an event where companies buy the right to sell products with the Bicentenial logo regardless of whether the product has anything whatsoever to do with patriotism and this country. At least, the Constitution was honored in those days as opposed to today where we no longer have protection against unreasonable search and seizure and people are now considered guilty until proven innocent in most theatres and public buildings.

By the way, if anyone is interested in discount tickets to AVENUE Q, e-mail me and I'll give you the website and special code to go to.

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/05/2003 12:31 PM PST

Southampton, England (July 3,
2003) – It was a Six-Star style
day when legendary
entertainer Dame Julie
Andrews released the cord
that sent a custom-made six
liter bottle of Louis Roederer
Cristal champagne crashing
against the hull of Crystal
Cruises’ newest luxury ship,
Crystal Serenity.-- WHAT A
WASTE!!!!!!!!!! -- In doing so,
she triggered a flurry of
colored streamers and confetti
upon the 400 guests all
dressed in the day’s themed
attire of black and white.

“This is a moment all of us at
Crystal Cruises have been
working toward for more than
three years,” said Crystal
Cruises President Gregg L.
Michel. “It is such an honor for
us to have someone as
elegant, talented and
well-respected as Dame Julie
Andrews christen our new
ship into service. She is the
embodiment of the style and
sophistication that is Crystal
Serenity.”

Posted by National Kimlet Inquirer @ 07/05/2003 12:33 PM PST

Count me in as remembering the Bicentennial -- that was the year I graduated from high school. My best friend at that time (who just happens to be Dear Reader Megan's aunt) and I went to Encanto Park to hear the band and see the fireworks. When I got home, boy howdy, was I ever in big trouble for staying out SO LATE -- my dad had been out looking for me, he was so worried about my being out late (it was 9 pm).

I like Krispy Kreme doughnuts -- the glazed ones right off the belt. I'd never stand in line more than five minutes for them, though.

Posted by Laura @ 07/05/2003 01:21 PM PST

Of course Helms was the best donut ever anywhere. You will just have to trust Jane and I on this. And just the other day I met someoone who's father was a Helms Man. The donut shop next to the Bruin is still there - they have a rather disgusting yet amusing chocolate donut with peanut butter inside. I have found another two flies and killed them deader than dead using the Dell computer catalog which I have now thrown in the trash. I have gone over every inch of the house and there is nowhere they can be getting in, hence unless they came in two days ago when I had the door to the yard open for ten seconds, I have not a clue where they are coming from. More info about the new job when the details are ironed out on Monday.

Posted by bk @ 07/05/2003 01:30 PM PST

A CHOCOLATE DOUGHNUT WITH PEANUT BUTTER????? I want one!!

My most memorable 4th of July would have to be yesterday. I watched Arthur (with special guest star Yo-Yo Ma) and M*A*S*H.

My favorite doughnut currently is Krispy Kreme's chocolate iced creme filled. But once I get my hands on that chocolate peanut butter doughnut on August 2nd when I'm in L.A., Krispy Kreme may come in second.

Posted by Sandra @ 07/05/2003 01:55 PM PST

Sorry, but I don't have any memorable 4th of July stories. I've enjoyed reading the ones ahead of me in these notes, however.

Odd, about the flies, bk. The friends I visited yesterday at their pool were also having a fly problem, and their exterminator told them there was probably something dead in a crawl space that flies were feeding on. They hadn't smelled anything dead, however, so it's all still rather a puzzle.

I live a few blocks from a Krispy Kreme, and I have to say when they come off the belt and into my mouth, there is nothing quite like them - light, so sweet it makes your teeth hurt, pure heaven.

I really like KK's sour creme doughnuts if I can't get a hot glazed one right off the belt.

Posted by Matt H. @ 07/05/2003 01:59 PM PST

Regarding Krispy Kreme... since they are so good why did the one near me close after only a year? There were rarely any other customers when I went there, yet the greatly inferior Dunkin' Donuts a block away always had a large crowd... any time of day. They have really not caught on at all in NYC as others have opened and closed as fast as the one in my neighborhood, and you don't see nearly as many KKs as DDs. Is this the only place they are less than a big success?

Posted by William E. Lurie @ 07/05/2003 02:06 PM PST

Bruce, next time try the apple fritters. Try sharing with someone as they are large and more than one should really eat at one time.

Posted by Jane @ 07/05/2003 02:13 PM PST

Don't know of "July 4th" or "Doughnuts". Are they musicals or pop groups? I don't even know about Kansas in August.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 07/05/2003 03:20 PM PST

It was a sleepy, humid holiday
You could use a machete to cut through the air
The rest of D.C. knew enough to get away
But he was there
And what else could I care about?

Pointillist rainbows
A spectrum so luminous
Colors like I've never seen

Thunder of tympani
Under a blanket of
Blue, red, white, orange and green

Fireworks
Weeping willow confetti
Fireworks
Fifty-thousand points of light
Thunderballs bursting with beauty
Kaleidoscopes burn tutti-fruity
And char the star-spangled night

We
Made our way home through the crowd
He
Cryptically silent and proud
What could the cause of the hushed reverence be?
Patriotic fervor, or fervor for me?
There in the darkness I finally could see
Fireworks
Every inch of my body
Fireworks
Bombs exploding everywhere
Shooting stars danced on the ceiling
And cymbals crashed. Two heads were reeling
My guy and I were on air
Fireworks - oh!
Fireworks - oh!
Long may the fire glow!

Posted by Noel @ 07/05/2003 03:28 PM PST

Well, Noel, this poem is like a
Christmas present!

Posted by François @ 07/05/2003 03:50 PM PST

Ah! "Noel" - a holiday with which I can identify. Perhaps I should play "Cowardy Custard" today.

Posted by Tom from Oz @ 07/05/2003 04:06 PM PST

BK--what is going on with all of these insects? First the bees, now flies...I hope the fly problem goes away soon. At this point a swatter may be a good investment so you can kill them deader than dead without messing up catalogues and magazines.

Personally I no longer kill annoying insects, much as I want to sometimes. A few weeks ago, I killed a spider I found on the dining room table and proceeded to bump my head into the chandelier. It could only have been karma.

I remember plently of Christmases (sort of a Maltby and Shire reference) and other holidays, but 4ths of July don't really stick in my mind. I remember once when I was little my parents took me up to DC to see the fireworks and they were beautiful but now I just stay here and watch them on TV. It's just way too crowded up there.

BTW,did you write that poem, Noel? It was wonderful.

The best donuts in the world are Krispy Kremes...I'm a simple gal...chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles.

Posted by Maya @ 07/05/2003 05:15 PM PST

My most memorably Fourth of July? The only one I spent in the USA, which was in 1993. I was in a very small town called Long Lake in the Adirondacks. The weather was beautiful. There were fireworks. I enjoyed it. Fourth of July this year was not memorable. I went to work.

Living in Canada, I'm probably honour-bound to say that Tim Hortons donuts are the best... but Krispy Kremes are very, very good, though I don't care for the glazed ones.

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 07/05/2003 05:44 PM PST

DR Stephen Farrow do you remember the Tim Horton donut joke?

Posted by Michael Shayne @ 07/05/2003 06:28 PM PST

I'm back from Bumpass! And what a trip it was...they don't wear makeup, they don't wear shoes, and they find it necessary to wear a bikini into the local FoodLion (while still not wearing makeup or shoes.) I live two hours north of it, and yet everywhere we went (Which was all of 3 places...the local general store, the local restaurant, and the neighborhood boat dock), we were called "Northerners". Now, obviously, I am FROM the North, but I mean, they were fascinated. These people had never left. How could you do that? I was completely perplexed.

Anywho, my favorite 4th was probably last year. We were in the Outer Banks in NC, and we had about $2,000 worth of fireworks. All day, my brother and I went door to door and told people to go to the beach and bring any fireworks they had for a party. We finally went down, and about 100 people were there, ready to party. We had BBQ, volleyball, swimming, music, dancing, and fireworks. It was like we all knew each other, you automatically hugged someone when they arrived and gave 'em a beer. (Well, not me, obviously, I'm still quite underage.) It was incredibly and surprisingly fun.

Donut? Well, I *am* a Boston native, I have to say Dunkin Donuts. I swear, you go to Massachusetts, and it's almost impossible to not find a DD...sad, really.

Posted by Sarah @ 07/05/2003 06:42 PM PST

DR Michael Shayne - unless you mean Stan Mikita's donut shop in "Wayne's World", no I don't! I guess this is one of those Canadian things that somehow passed me by (I'm not Canadian, I just live here).

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 07/05/2003 07:07 PM PST

DR Michael Shayne - unless you mean Stan Mikita's donut shop in "Wayne's World", no I don't! I guess this is one of those Canadian things that somehow passed me by (I'm not Canadian, I just live here).

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 07/05/2003 07:07 PM PST

And I only meant to say that once! Oh well. Obviously the heat and humidity is getting to me.

Posted by Stephen Farrow @ 07/05/2003 07:08 PM PST

Happy 4th! It will takes me at least another day to coax Goldie out from the laundry room and Sammy from under the papasan...this happens every year.
Winchell's is better than Krispy (bigger donuts, too). I also get excellent jelly and custard-filled ones from my nearest 7-11--someone locally has a donut shoppe that delivers them to the Sev every night.

Posted by KT @ 07/05/2003 07:27 PM PST

Wow...30...slow day, eh? I have recommended this site to a very very good friend of mine, and she says she might post sometime. She's older than I am, very smart, very educated musical-wise, and incredibly talented. She's not immature, so don't think teenagers are taking over this board, it's only Laura and I, and I assure you, she's quite harmless...intrigued, actually, she thinks you're quite funny bk!

Posted by Sarah @ 07/05/2003 09:16 PM PST

Donuts and peanuts and
custard and jelly
Coca and candy and icecream
and brownies
Those are a few of my
fattening foods......

The hills are alive with the
smell of donuts....

Just a spoonfull of custard
helps the big donut go down....

Posted by François @ 07/05/2003 10:12 PM PST

I just got back from visiting a friend in Seattle and on my way north (from Olympia where I live) I noticed that there is a brand spankin' new Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop at the Tacoma Mall. I couldn't stop on my way up, but on my way back, I did, mainly because I've never had a fresh KKD (that's Krispy Kreme Doughnut in Internet lingo). When you're standing in line, they really do give you one for free. It was pretty darn good. I bought a key lime pie doughnut, a glazed cruller and a chocolate-iced custard-filled doughnut. I didn't really like the key lime (I actually had no idea what it was; I just liked the look of what I later found out was the graham cracker crumbles on top). I did like the other three. Compared to other places, however, they are pretty skimpy on the chocolate icing and custard filling. I don't think I'll stand in line for 25 minutes again just to get a few donughts. I go to this local grocery store close to where I work that (after 6:00 p.m.) has all of their donuts on sale for 25¢ each. Them's is good enough for me (also, I'm cheap).

Posted by George @ 07/06/2003 12:00 AM PST

Sarah - we will, of course, welcome your friend with open arms. Anyone who thinks I'm funny is welcome here at haineshisway.com. And I like having young people around, especially ones who are bright and who have a passion for the arts. What I have always enjoyed in my life is not only being able to help people and perhaps teach them things I've learned, but to learn in return, because everyone, young or old has things to offer.

Posted by bk @ 07/06/2003 12:31 AM PST

Good evening/morning!

-We had our first two - and only - previews today of "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change," today. What a difference an audience makes for this show! In addition to actually hearing some laughs - and actually a few heart-felt sniffles - the audiences actually helped provide some extra, needed seconds for the quick changes with their applause! We open tomorrow night, and we're in great shape. -It will be interesting to see how the "small town" audiences will take to this material... but judging from tonight's reaction, we shouldn't be getting too many letters.

*And a funny thing from the matinee. There were two ladies celebrating their wedding anniversaries today - a mother and daughter actually. However, neither husband was there with them! How strangely appropriate for this show.

As for memorable 4th of Julys... I remember when I was either four or five years old being very scared by the sound of fireworks - I was inside getting ready for bed. But once I got to see them the next year, they totally fascinated me. However, my most memorable 4th of July had to be the one where I spent it watching the final dress rehearsal of the first national tour of Les Miserables at the Kennedy Center. It was so neat - for lack of a better word at this time of morning - to watch them putting it all together.

As for donuts... Krispy Kremes hit the spot for me too, although, I'm not a fanatic. I like the glazed ones, but I prefer the crullers and the chocolate iced custard filled. They had a malted milkball one a few months ago - YUM!. -And Shopper's Food Warehouse actually has some pretty decent donuts. And I still miss the blueberry cake ones - but the location in Alexandria, VA, still makes them sometimes - as well as maple glazed too! *And it's kind of funny that Krispy Kreme only has one location in the DC area - but a lot of stores and gas stations carry them. And I still like my Dunkin' Donuts. And there used to be a small chain in Northern Virginia called Pam E. K's - or something pretty close to that. Strawberry cake donuts!

My favorite ones are the ones from the Donut Plant in NYC - on Grand Street. AMAZING! I think I may have mentioned them here before. I saw the owner featured on Ememril one night, and the next time I was in NYC I made a point of heading down there. Big donuts! And the flavors are amazing. Pistachio and orange-glazed ones are my favorites - they are hand-dipped in the glazes so they are totally covered in the glaze. The owner fries his donuts just a little longer than usual so they have a slight crunch to them. You can also get them at Dean & Deluca's in NYC.

Oh, and - I know I've mentioned this before too - the 3rd St. Diner in Richmond makes Grilled-D's. Day old Krispy Kreme glazed donuts that are "warmed up" in butter on the griddle! And if you really want a treat - and load of sugar, then you can also get a Grilled D Sundae - just add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce! now that's good eatin'!

Posted by Jose C. Simbulan @ 07/06/2003 01:09 AM PST

Donuts! My goodness! I must have gained five pounds just reading everybody's posts about their favorites! But Jose's delectable description of the Grilled D Sundae takes the cake -- or, uh, donut. Definitely one I should stay away from if I want to keep my girlish figure (hee hee).

I've never had the pleasure of a Krispy Kreme (for shame!), but I can't resist a freshly-made custard cream from Dunkin Donuts. Yummy!

Posted by Susan @ 07/06/2003 03:39 AM PST

Favorite 4th? It must have about '64 or '65; "The Unsinkable Molly Brown" had just come out. We went and saw it with my grandparents at the Palms Theatre (one of my favorite places--- now long gone). It had Debbie Reynolds and beatiful scenery, Harve Presnell without a shirt, big musical numbers and the Titanic-- what more could I want? Afterward, we saw a few fireworks form grandparents' house, and my mother drove us to the Carnation Dairy coffee shop to get their special red, white and blue ice cream.

Favorite Doughnuts? Krispy Kreme. The glazed, the sour cream, almost all of them-- except the apple cinnamon. I just may have to get one (or two) on the way to work today.

See y'all later.

Posted by Kerry @ 07/06/2003 07:57 AM PST