Before I start on tonight's topic, just a quick follow-up to last weekend's post. According to several of my post-post taste testers, the fun thing about using shredded cooked parsnips is that in consistency and texture it's very similar to shredded coconut. It's moist and chewy, but without the super sweetness of coconut, so if you know someone who has a tree nut allergy or just doesn't like coconut, cooked shredded parsnips is a viable alternative.
HERSHEY'S
So, chocolate...who doesn't know the name Hershey's, or better yet, who hasn't enjoyed one of their myriad of delicious products? Have always been a fan, but after Mom and Dad's last trip to Hershey, PA, they shared some info that made me an even bigger one.
Did you know that Milton S. Hershey actually had little to no schooling? Did you know he started out by making carmel candies? Did you know that he didn't find success until his 40s? Did you know there's a Milton Hershey School in Pennsylvania?
The history of Hershey's is a fascinating one (which you can find it in more detail at www.hersheys.com). It's founder Milton S. Hershey (1857-1945) was from a Mennonite family in Pennsylanvia but moved around a great deal as a child as his father attempted (unsuccessfully) several different ventures to support his family. His mother did not emphasize book learning, as it had proven to do his father no good, so Milton's success came without what he considered the benefit of a good education.
Like his father he attempted several ventures before finding some small success with making caramel candy which he learned as an apprentice to a candy and ice cream maker named Joe Royer in Lancaster. His first exposure to the world of chocolate-making came during his trip to the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago where he was enthralled with a set of German chocolate-making machinery. He bought the equipment and had it installed in Lancaster where he started making his own chocolate. In 1900, the first Hershey's chocolate bars hit the market and the rest is delicious history.
But chocolate was not Milton's only legacy. In 1909, he and his wife, Catherine, founded the Hershey Industrial School. Being childless themselves, they used a portion of their wealth to establish a school where young orphaned boys could come not only to live and be cared for, but to receive a sound education and training in several trades and occupations so that the children would be able to earn a livelihood when they left the school.
In 1918, three years after the early death of his wife, Milton made the school the principal recipient of the bulk of his fortune in order to provide for its perpetual continuation. In 1951, six years after his own death, the name of the school was changed to the Milton Hershey School. In 1968, the first non-white male student was enrolled and in 1976, the first female student was enrolled. Today the school still exists, providing education and training for boys and girls, pre-kindergarten through grade 12, from families of low income and social need. Students attend for free and receive housing, education, clothing, meals and as well as medical and religious services.
This is just a little didyaknow but do know there's more to the story of Milton Hershey's, a tale of good taste and great deeds. I hope I have intrigued you enough to read more about it or at least realize that when you enjoy your Hershey product, behind every tasty bite there's a story of an enterprising man who left the world a little sweeter for everyone.
Hershey's In A Nutshell Product History
1900 Introduction of the Hershey's Chocolate Bar
1907 Introduction of Hershey's Kisses
1908 Introduction of Hershey's Milk Chocolate with Almonds
1925 Introduction of Hershey's Mr. Goodbar
1926 Introduction of Hershey's Syrup
1938 Introduction of Hershey's Krackel
1939 Introduction of Hershey's Miniatures
1971 Introduction of Hershey's Special Dark
1989 Introduction of Hershey's Symphony bars
1994 Introduction of Hershey's Cookies'n'Creme
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