By Rosie Moore

Well, Hallowe’en is over and all the candy was dumped out of the kids’ bags and littered on the living room rug. Candies were divided up and even Moms and Dads were allowed to pick a piece. Parents of young children have control of these candy bags but older children find ways to grab a piece of candy whenever possible.

It’s hard for children and adults to practice self restraint when all that candy is on store shelves from floor to ceiling.

The origin of candy can be traced to the ancient Egyptians who combined fruits and nuts with honey. First modern candies were made in the 16th century and developed into a manufacturing industry in the early 19th century.

The first chocolate bar was made in 1897 by Joseph Fry in England. He discovered a way for mixing cacao butter, cocoa powder and sugar to create paste that could be pressed into a mold, which resulted in the solid chocolate bar.

Here are a few  amazing facts about candy:

Tootsie Roll was the first penny candy to be wrapped.

Sugar Daddies were originally called Papa Suckers.

Candy corn was originally called Corn Feed.

Cotton candy was invented by a dentist.

Three Musketeers originally had three pieces in each pack, vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Raisinets are one of the worst candies (and my favorite) while, Reese’s Peanut Butter cups are the best.

And, don’t forget, Ronald Reagan always had jar of jelly beans on his desk in the Oval Office. The Hallowe’en candy will last until Christmas which is when the Hershey kisses and the green and red M  & M’s come out. Enjoy!

Thought for the day: A merry heart doeth good like a medicine, but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

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