Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Sweet Memories

When reminiscing about Katy and Tory's in The Mission of Mustard, memories of the sweet goodies I enjoyed there came to mind. When visiting the store, Aaron and I would leave with some of the following in our small paper bags:

Big League Chew Bubble Gum - a favorite for Aaron (especially during his baseball days) and our cousin Steve

Candy Necklaces - food and fashion

Laffy Taffy and Now and Later - Somewhat similar. Both were in different packaging back then. We'd find there were usually two camps: those who absolutely couldn't stand banana and those who would trade all of their other taffies to have banana

Lik-m-Aid - also in different packaging than what is shown in the link. Basically, the concept is to dunk the provided white sugar candy stick into pouches of colorful sugary powders. One had to be very careful when cutting (or ripping) open the different pouches.

Wax Bottles - similar to the ones shown here. Sometimes Katy and Tory would have the fruit flavored drink variety...and sometimes the cola variety.

Giant Chewy SweeTarts

Tart-n-Tinys - Aaron, you're going to have to help me on this. Back then, weren't these pastel colored without the slick bright coating?

Sixlets - my all-time favorite at the store

From other parts of my childhood, I also fondly remember...
Black Jack Gum, Fruit Stripe Gum, Chunky Bar, Bubble Tape, Ring Pops, Sour Patch Kids, Whistle Pops, Zotz (in lollipop form), and Pop Rocks. I have great memories of eating Pixy Stix at my aunt and uncle's while watching the barrel racing competitions held on their farm.

When I was really small, I really loved Marathon Bars, and I distinctly remember buying them in the IGA in Canton. They were very long candy bars made of braided caramel and chocolate, and they would stretch even longer. But, suddenly, they just disappeared. I've found out recently that Curly Wurly bars are very similar, so I hope to try one.

Whenever I am asked the name of my favorite candy, my reply is Toffifay. Again, these are a favorite from my early childhood, and they were first created the year I was born. Somewhere along the line, they just disappeared. Then, I'd find a package every couple of years at some of the strangest out-of-the-way gas stations. When I worked for Kiwanis and Circle K, I would often travel to Canada, and there was an abundance of them up there. So, some of my kind Canadian friends would have a few packs waiting for me upon my arrival or would bring them to the conventions in the U.S. One time, they even brought me an entire case as a gift. I'm happy to say that Toffifay is now making a huge comeback here in the Midwest.

Please consider visiting the Old Time Candy Store. (Even though I have not yet placed an order for myself, the owners are quite kind. The candy packs look great for special birthdays.) While some of their candies are extremely common within the St. Louis area, others are favorites of our parents from long ago which you can rarely find anywhere else. Sadly, others have been discontinued and can no longer be purchased. Wacky Wafers were always a favorite for Aaron and me, but they are no longer made.

Have any favorites from your childhood that you can't find anymore? What is your favorite candy treat to eat?

21 comments:

lydia said...

All this talk about candy has me reminiscing back to my childhood (as long ago as it was).

I'm quite fond of 100 Grand candy bars. I have to believe that my love for them stems back to a business trip my father took to Hershey, PA. When he returned from this particular trip, he brought with him several boxes of 100 Grand candy bars. Before then I don't think I was familiar with 100 Grands, but they quickly became my best friend. Maybe they were new? I'm not sure about the history of one of my favorite candy bars.

I can't remember exactly how many he brought home, but at the time it seemed like an endless supply. I remember putting boxes of candy bars in the freezer to be eaten at a later date. Unfortunately, the candy bars were the miniature size. Of course, that is a good thing to me know, considering how many I ate. Now, every time I see 100 Grand candy bars in stores my mind is taken back to those years as a chunky child. (Can you imagine why I was so chunky?!?!?)

Tammy C said...

I remember the candy you mentioned-YUM!!

How about Sugar Daddies or Sugar Babies?

Came to your blog via Serven Clan.

Other Mother said...

We had a similar discussion during our "Nebraska Odyssey" last summer: 4 siblings returning to the places of our childhood. For my sister, it is Necco Wafers, especially the all-chocolate ones. For my brother, Twin Bings are his favorite (similar to Missouri's Cherry Mash, but a little different, and we like them better). I remember the candy necklaces you mentioned - we could get them only at the swimming pool candy counter, and also there, a taffy that I don't remember the name of. It was about a foot long, 3" wide, and had lengthwise stripes of pastel color and white (depending on the flavor). My favorites were Boston Baked Beans or chocolate covered peanuts. Chocolate with crunch is STILL a favorite. :-)

strem said...

Other Mother: Your thoughts sent me on a mission. Yesterday, while creating my post, I was trying so hard to think of the name of the long wide taffy that we used to eat. I just couldn't remember the exact name. But, then you mentioned it too. So, after much research, I think this might be it: TANGY TAFFY (Also made by the Wonka company) When we were kids, the wrapper was white with black lettering and had a bright animated picture of the fruit (if I am remembering correctly.) When I see the lettering on the front of the wrappers on this link, I believe this is exactly what we used to enjoy. Is this what you were thinking about?

strem said...

Tammy C: Thank you so much for stopping by and being kind to leave a comment. It has been a true joy to know the Serven family, and I trust you also share the blessing of counting them as friends.

I do like Sugar Daddies and Sugar Babies....but some in my family are bigger fans of Slo Pokes. I have never had each side by side to do a taste test to know which is better. Have you had Slo Pokes before?

strem said...

Lydia: I had no idea you loved 100 Grand bars so much. That's good information to know!!! :)

Hope you're having a wonderful day in classes!

Anonymous said...

Toffifay can be found in Europe, Switzerland in particular. Someone from the Geneva office brought some in. I had never seen them before, but then I'm not a big candy eater :-)

Laurie

Julie said...

One candy in particular brings back fond memories. My Great-Grandma ALWAYS had orange slices in her candy dish sitting on the coffee table in her family room.

strem said...

Julie: When you mentioned the orange slices, it took me back so many years to tasting those... and reminded me that my Grandad always had those funny, big, orange peanuts at his house. (They also made yellow bananas that were very similary. Kind of marshmallowy.) Have you ever tasted those? I think he might have enjoyed them because he had false teeth. Even though they're pretty odd tasting, I am very tempted to go hunt some down this evening.

strem said...

Hey friends. Laurie is in the St. Louis office this week and not in Switzerland, so we were able to talk about Toffifay. I may not have to go to Canada anymore for the "hook up." I think I've found a supplier right there in Europe! :) Just for a rare treat, of course.

Elizabeth said...

Good Ole candy - rot your teeth out - but so many memories.

Anyone remember that zebra stripe gum with the tatoo somewhere, maybe on the wrapper. That was always fun.
I was also a big fan of the lik n Stix, those were a treat.

One that I have no idea where they are bought at: it's peanut butter flavor in a crunchy, crumbly outside thing, but the wrapper is clear with black stripes, so it looks like the candy has black stripes too, but it is just white. My granny used to always keep those and M&Ms around

audreysnanny said...

My memories go back to my Great Aunts house. We lived in the city, and she in the country. We also went there to cut our xmas tree and she would have a dish of red hots for us to eat, and hot chocolate to warm our insides. The memories come flooding back. Too many to list, but wonderful to think about.

Sandy-san said...

Every year, Clark Refineries had a Christmas program, so my Grandma and Grandpa (that's where he worked) took all of us grandkids there to the Roxana Cinema where we got to watch cartoons, get a gift appropriate for our ages, and get our 2 bags of candy - Hershey's Kisses and Hershey's Miniatures. I have been a huge fan of the Hershey's Dark Chocolate since then!

Sandy-san said...

Another memory: when I was a kid, we would walk to the Roxana swimming pool every day. During our break, I would buy frozen ZERO candy bars. They were SO good back then!

Several years ago, I purchased a bag of them and froze them hoping that I would still love them. My taste buds must have changed as I grew older, because they were just... okay. Nothing to write home about!

Sandy-san said...

I think I was the only person in the family that loved those orange circus peanuts! I also was the only one who loved those Brach's Neapolitan coconut candies. I could eat a whole bag of them!

Every time I see those candy stores that have the red sours, I have to have them! They are so good (still!)

I don't know what they are called, but when I was a kid, I was also addicted to the long ropes of apple gum from our local Cone Barn. I was also fond of the Jolly Rancher's Fire sticks.

One more: When Dad paid me my allowance, I would run to the Cone Barn and get Pop Rocks or a Clark bar or a chocolate Charleston Chews! I loved them...

strem said...

Elizabeth: I loved Fruit Stripe gum. (That's the zebra kind you mentioned. Click on the link within my post to see it.)

Also, I don't know the exact name brand of that peanut butter candy, but I think several companies made similar little candies. I'll be on the hunt for that particular wrapper.

strem said...

Audrey's Nanny: Isn't nice that we have so many memories of someone having a specific treat to share through the years? I just don't think that is as common any more. It made me reconsider the treats I offer the neighborhood and church children.

strem said...

Sandy: Isn't it funny that everyone has their favorite out of the miniatures collection? Mine used to be the Mr. Goodbar... but now I am becoming more like Dad and you in enjoying the Special Dark the best. Oh... and I don't have any memories of eating a Zero bar. I need to buy one just to try one.

ShesAlwaysWrite said...

This is just terrible, but we always got candy cigarettes and Big League Chew at Katy and Tory's.

They're not my favorite candy or anything, but that's what I have the most vivid memories of.

Sandy-san said...

It's funny, but after swimming all morning and afternoon long, I was starving! Those frozen Zero bars were simply the best - I just loved them! I think I was just extremely hungry! Now? Bleh...

strem said...

Tracy wrote to post the following: "Yes, Tart n' tinies used to be Tiny Tarts and they were NOT covered with that slick shiny coating. They were my absolute favorite candy from Mr. Bulky's. I heard that they changed them because the factory dust made the workers sick and the covering helped control the dust, but they just aren't the same."

This is very disappointing!