Kisses

Kisses - A New Tangle!

This is a sweet day indeed.

Milton Hershey's birthday, the famed philanthropist and founder of the Hershey Chocolate Company, was celebrated this week.  His life's story is inspirational - from his struggles and persistence in pursuing his passion for candy making to his unmatched generosity to the community he built.

In honor of Mr. Hershey, I have created a sweet and simple pattern.
It comes with a caution though: tangling may require more chocolate than usual :)

First, the step out and then the story ~

While tangles are meant to be non representational, I think this captures the essence of a Hershey Kiss without trying to be an exact replica.  Maria Thomas' Pokeleaf and Pokeroot come to mind as patterns that accomplish this same thing.


And now, the story ~

The CBS Sunday Morning News program this past week featured a story about Milton S. Hershey.
(Click here to view).

Milton S. Hershey 1857 - 1945

In his younger days, Mr. Hershey lived in the same town where I attended high school - Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
In fact, his first foray into the candy business was the Lancaster Caramel Company.

It wasn't until he attend the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois, that he discovered the possibilities of manufacturing chocolate.

As an aside:
My great great grandparents attended that same fair.  It is exciting to think that their paths may have crossed at some point.

Remarkably, my parents still have this souvenir our relatives brought back from the fair ~

It is made of seashells and metal and the bed of the ship carries a small thimble.
It reads:  World's Colombian Exposition Chicago 1893 
The fair was so named in celebration of Christopher Columbus' 400th anniversary of landing in the Americas.


Back to the story...

Watching the program conjured up some of my warmest childhood memories:

• our family's first visit Hershey -  rolling down the station wagon windows to the smell of chocolate in the warm summer air
• street lights in the shape of Kisses
• huge vats of chocolate so close that I could have touched them if I dared
• conveyor belts filled with neat rows of chocolates headed to the wrapping machines
• school field trips and the realization (and disappointment) that I could eat too much chocolate on the bus ride home
• ride after ride at the park

...all things good, all things happy, all things chocolate.

Over the years, Lou and I have been able to take our children and grandchildren to Hershey and carry on those sweet memories.

As a child I loved the treats and amusement.  As an adult I appreciate the school, hospital, town and community that remain as a testimony to Milton Hershey and his wife Catherine.

He left his entire fortune to the community.  My friends and family have personally benefited from his generosity and vision in the hospital that bears his name.

So to Mr. Hershey and the good that continues in his name, my little thank you is found in this new tangle, Kisses.

Below is my zendala from yesterday's post ~

by Adele Bruno, CZT

In closing and after so much talk of chocolate, here is a dessert I consider the ultimate Hershey treat ~

My son-in-law Andrew ordered this chocolaty confection on our latest trip to Hershey Park.

A warm chocolate funnel cake sprinkled with powdered sugar, filled with mini Hershey chocolate chips, topped with fresh whipped cream, and drizzled with Hershey's chocolate syrup, it was as decadently delicious as it looked.

Mr. Hershey would no doubt be proud.

ENJOY some Hershey's today and enjoy tangling Kisses, too!

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