tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post4328381142424970133..comments2024-03-30T01:31:39.335-05:00Comments on Althouse: Pumpkins carved by children are the best.Ann Althousehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-43952933155406193732009-11-01T10:34:46.091-06:002009-11-01T10:34:46.091-06:00That's Necco Wafers / the candy nobody likes&q...<a href="http://www.paulandstorm.com/archives/necco-wafers-commercial/" rel="nofollow">That's Necco Wafers / the candy nobody likes"</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo.php?pid=3925202&id=784744446" rel="nofollow">Big pumpkin eating a little pumpkin</a>kentuckylizhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08110491371985845560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-83220080464884765192009-11-01T08:19:16.839-06:002009-11-01T08:19:16.839-06:00Ralph L,
Trick or treat? Iconic Necco wafers go a...Ralph L,<br /><br /><b>Trick or treat? Iconic Necco wafers go all-natural</b><br />By BOB SALSBERG (AP) <br /><br /><i>BOSTON — All-natural may be all the rage in the food world, but will candy lovers have a sweet tooth for beet juice and purple cabbage?<br /><br />Necco sure hopes so. The 162-year-old Massachusetts company is taking its venerable Necco Wafers all-natural, making them the largest mass-produced candy line in the U.S. to shed artificial flavoring and colors.<br /><br />Necco, short for New England Confectionary Co., cranks out about 4 billion of the roughly quarter-sized wafers each year, packaging them in large rolls (36 wafers) and junior rolls (nine wafers). Beet juice, purple cabbage, cocoa powder and turmeric — a spice often used in curries — are some of the natural ingredients in the new wafers, which will be phased in at retail stores before and after Halloween.<br /><br />"Kids aren't going to go 'Yippee! It's all natural!' but they might say to their parents ... 'Look, it's all natural, it's right on the package!"' said Steve Almond, author of "Candyfreak: A Journey Through the Chocolate Underbelly of America," and a self-professed fan of Necco wafers.<br /><br />The change, a big one for an iconic sweet that has changed little since its creation in 1847, was driven by the trend toward all-natural products, said Jackie Hague, the company's vice president for marketing. She said prices will stay the same and consumers will notice little difference in taste, while the natural colors will give the candy a more muted, pastel appearance.<br /><br />One thing will be missing, however.<br /><br />"We lost green," she said.<br /><br />Green, one of eight original wafer colors, was too hard to duplicate in the all-natural process. It seems the lime flavor could be reproduced naturally, but the color lacked consistency so it was scrapped.<br /><br />That leaves seven flavors/colors: orange; lemon (yellow); clove (pink); cinnamon (white); wintergreen (purple); licorice (gray); and chocolate, which now will come in variations of milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate and mocha.<br /><br />Biting into the new treats reveals no obvious taste of the purple cabbage, beet juice or other natural flavorings. As always, the hard, sugary discs are smooth with a slightly chalky texture, and very sweet.<br /><br />All-natural products mostly have been the domain of smaller, more specialized candy makers, though Fairfield, Calif.-based Jelly Belly Candy Co. has introduced an all-natural line of jelly beans, including grape, peach, lemon and plum flavors.<br /><br />Bernard Pacyniak, editor of "Candy Industry," a trade publication that covers the confectionary industry, called the all-natural wafer "a smart move by Necco."<br /><br />"It's taking advantage of consumer needs and demands," he said.<br /><br />The move to all-natural also could help the company "reinvigorate" the brand at a time when there's a slight resurgence in demand for nostalgic products, he said.<br /><br />Necco said the switch is not in response to any dropoff in sales. The company reported wafer sales of more than $9.2 million in 2008, an 8 percent increase from the prior year, though sales have been relatively flat in convenience stores and supermarkets, Hague said.<br /><br />The changeover will result in slightly higher costs for raw materials for Necco, but no additional manufacturing costs, she said, and it will not affect the shelf life of the candy.<br /><br />The company won't say if the move to all-natural might eventually extend to other product lines, including Valentine's Day favorite Sweethearts and Clark bars.</i>Wincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002449963597087316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-47554546660387021232009-11-01T05:37:47.904-06:002009-11-01T05:37:47.904-06:00Halloween is becoming as "institutionalized&q...<i>Halloween is becoming as "institutionalized" as everything else, I suppose. Most people around here take their kids to "approved" candy-getting places like malls and churches<br /></i>No one goes door-to-door in my town and hasn't for decades. The city sets off fireworks in the park about 8 pm. The noise scares me every year.<br /><br />I'm pissed that Walmart didn't carry bags of NECO wafers this year. I used to get 4 or 5 for me. My boss can't believe I'm not diabetic.Ralph Lhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07915708905660273961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-63444528776099146122009-10-31T22:12:42.657-05:002009-10-31T22:12:42.657-05:00It's been lighter than last year here too. Lot...It's been lighter than last year here too. Lots of little ones in the cutest bunny, butterfly and pumpkin onesies. One kid totally cracked me up in lab coat, horn rimmed glasses, pocket protector and a clip board...we've had a gaggle of princesses and Raggety Ann & Andy.<br /><br />@DonnaB...yeah, we did some annoying (funny) stuff to the neighbors, like removing the hinge pins from everyone's front door screens. Next morning when they went out for the paper: Wham!BJMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04447134335568803085noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-16031711728612648922009-10-31T22:10:00.435-05:002009-10-31T22:10:00.435-05:00Huh. It's picked up here.
That's good, I ...Huh. It's picked up here.<br /><br />That's good, I think. Though a lot of immigrants who don't seem to understand the whole "trick or treat" protocol.blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-90332086561324060422009-10-31T22:00:25.882-05:002009-10-31T22:00:25.882-05:00Lighter than usual in our neighborhood. Then again...Lighter than usual in our neighborhood. Then again, we had lots of undocumented kids in years past. <br />School enrollments are down too.chickelithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773887469972534979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-8473498655253258742009-10-31T21:35:41.186-05:002009-10-31T21:35:41.186-05:00We have not had a trickortreater here in 5 years. ...We have not had a trickortreater here in 5 years. I didn't even think about buying candy. If one had showed up, I have a fishbowl of pennies, nickels, and dimes they can dig into.<br /><br />Halloween is becoming as "institutionalized" as everything else, I suppose. Most people around here take their kids to "approved" candy-getting places like malls and churches.<br /><br />But I remember the real thrill of Halloween and that was scaring the inhabitants of the houses. Of course, I got grounded, but it was a helluva lot of fun.Donna B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/16771075314473811594noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-54051947491828504162009-10-31T21:04:04.608-05:002009-10-31T21:04:04.608-05:00It's like Bah Humbug!
You mean Boo Humbug! :)...<i>It's like Bah Humbug!</i><br /><br />You mean Boo Humbug! :)chickelithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10773887469972534979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-19842857405035169212009-10-31T20:58:44.762-05:002009-10-31T20:58:44.762-05:00Seems so different these days. When I was a kid b...Seems so different these days. When I was a kid back in the 40's and 50's once I reached 6 years old we went out on our own trick or treating and knew to stay right in the neighborhood. But then we also knew all the neighbors and they knew us. <br /><br />Living in an apartment in a private house type neighborhood we have had 1 kid total. I guess it is really different in NYC. Maybe in the high rise apartments or in the apartment developments it is different but in this neighborhood the kids just aren't into Halloween. Almost no decorations at all. It's like Bah Humbug!dickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08976498133597991337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-52355307421780434682009-10-31T20:35:17.453-05:002009-10-31T20:35:17.453-05:00Light so far...Light so far...blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-75249018445018007072009-10-31T20:13:03.469-05:002009-10-31T20:13:03.469-05:00Heh. Two girls were lucky enough to show up now an...Heh. Two girls were lucky enough to show up now and got huge handfuls of candy because we have so much left. They were pleased.Freeman Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202310075717963694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-1911622098297922052009-10-31T20:03:59.253-05:002009-10-31T20:03:59.253-05:00I even bought the good candy!I even bought the good candy!Freeman Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202310075717963694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-78172420320219546562009-10-31T19:59:14.475-05:002009-10-31T19:59:14.475-05:00We've hardly had anyone. I am sad about it.We've hardly had anyone. I am sad about it.Freeman Hunthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16202310075717963694noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-60789900131448366402009-10-31T19:44:17.065-05:002009-10-31T19:44:17.065-05:00My neighbors just came over trick or treating with...My neighbors just came over trick or treating with their 2 year old, who couldn't get the hang of tearing open the packet to get to the raisinettes inside (heck, I can barely manage that) so she just stood there contentedly chewing on the packet. Yes, we opened it for her.ricpichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01321511130788764861noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-11364285735950137352009-10-31T19:43:34.244-05:002009-10-31T19:43:34.244-05:00Teens? '20s? We get 30- and 40-somethings, mos...Teens? '20s? We get 30- and 40-somethings, mostly Hispanic.blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05430444326700437630noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-68186737130866893322009-10-31T19:32:14.915-05:002009-10-31T19:32:14.915-05:00jaed said...
Do people give candy to adult trick-...jaed said... <br /><i>Do people give candy to adult trick-or-treaters?<br /><br />The idea of giving adults candy annoys me no end and I usually go hide in the back of the house and refuse to answer the door to them. </i><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUdfdzm0EpU" rel="nofollow">Bald Asshole</a>!<br /><br />"That's a hate crime."Wincehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002449963597087316noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-10648554816571402702009-10-31T19:30:42.171-05:002009-10-31T19:30:42.171-05:00Even though our lights are off, we had a pair of 4...Even though our lights are off, we had a pair of 4th-grade (about) girls march right into the house! I apologized for the lack of candy and said that's why the lights were off. It seemed to surprise them that something like that might happen.<br /><br />Then a friend/neighbor came by with her 5th-grade daughter -- youngest of 4 siblings -- but we were still out of candy, so maybe I'll take some cookies over to her tomorrow.<br /><br />Soon I take my 13-yo to his first non-birthday party Party.<br /><br />Althouse, I am in the Mayor's neighborhood. I think there are many more kids on this side of Regent than yours.MadisonManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212179466758420208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-34292285911427900622009-10-31T19:13:50.034-05:002009-10-31T19:13:50.034-05:00I think it's the diversity training in school....I think it's the diversity training in school.<br />Cyclops werewolves deserve respect, tooAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-21675600956583219912009-10-31T19:08:51.875-05:002009-10-31T19:08:51.875-05:00Do people give candy to adult trick-or-treaters?
...Do people give candy to adult trick-or-treaters?<br /><br />Around here we get kids from twilight to maybe 7PM, then the 18-30 year olds start in. The idea of giving adults candy annoys me no end and I usually go hide in the back of the house and refuse to answer the door to them. But I always think perhaps I'm being too harsh and spoiling the fun.<br /><br />Then I tell myself, it is not "harsh" to refuse to pander to a 25-year-old hipster asshole in a scary George Bush mask begging for candy.<br /><br />But I'm still uncertain.jaedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03328666344764784829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-61327817045331033922009-10-31T19:06:48.144-05:002009-10-31T19:06:48.144-05:00Wow, MM, what neighborhood are you in? I'm get...Wow, MM, what neighborhood are you in? I'm getting almost nothing.Ann Althousehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01630636239933008807noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-34209711020377889252009-10-31T19:04:28.706-05:002009-10-31T19:04:28.706-05:00Mischief night was the great time, as I recall as ...Mischief night was the great time, as I recall as a kid.<br /><br />Dressing up was more of a necessary task to get candy.rhhardinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901742898653890646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-49348349649233420112009-10-31T18:57:41.865-05:002009-10-31T18:57:41.865-05:00All done. Six bags of candy gone.
I think most p...All done. Six bags of candy gone.<br /><br />I think most people are done now too. It amazes me how fast things start and stop here.MadisonManhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01212179466758420208noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-74370729185739164502009-10-31T18:56:19.801-05:002009-10-31T18:56:19.801-05:00I like the fairy princesses the best (the non-Disn...I like the fairy princesses the best (the non-Disney ones). Already seen a few. Cute!Jason (the commenter)https://www.blogger.com/profile/16045360562791361484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-37386396293766256492009-10-31T18:55:44.727-05:002009-10-31T18:55:44.727-05:00... and Meade... sneaks up behind me and grabs me....<i>... and Meade... sneaks up behind me and grabs me. So far, it has not gotten that much of a reaction...</i><br /><br />Maybe he's not grabbing you in the right place.Ignorance is Blisshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17351664545145783244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6329595.post-71309281024571914622009-10-31T18:50:49.967-05:002009-10-31T18:50:49.967-05:00Just had a baby in a stroller oblivious to being i...Just had a baby in a stroller oblivious to being in a great little bat suit. His toddler sister is a kitty cat and gave a wonderful high-pitched squeal when I let out a BOO! that was satisfying. She loves the boo, her mom told me.Bethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16774002797359859550noreply@blogger.com