National Candy Corn Day

October 30th is National Candy Corn Day!

Candy Corn was created in the 1880s by the Wunderlee Candy Company and, by 1900, was being produced by the Goelitz Candy Company (now Jelly Belly), which has continuously produced it for more than a century. Candy corns get their name from the fact that they are shaped like a kernel of corn. Although they are often shown point-up, the yellow end is really the "top" of the corn. The design apparently made it popular with farmers when it first came out, but it was the fact that it had three colors - a really innovative idea - that catapulted it to popularity.

Originally, candy corn was made of sugar, corn syrup, fondant and marshmallow, among other things, and the hot mixture was poured into cornstarch molds, where it set up. This original mixture is probably where the name of the candy corn comes from. The recipe changed slightly over time and there are probably a few variations in recipes between candy companies, but the use of a mixture of sugar, corn syrup, gelatin and vanilla (as well as honey, in some brands) is the standard.

A serving of candy corn has about 22 pieces and contains 140 calories, no fat.

“Forever Plaid”

TUAC to present “Forever Plaid” – One Performance Only!!!

“Forever Plaid” is coming to the R E Lee Auditorium on October 13 for one performance only! The show will begin at 7:00 and tickets, adults $8 and children $6, may be purchased from Thomaston Upson Arts Council or at the door.

“Forever Plaid”, directed by Anita Fillingim, is one of the most popular and successful musicals in recent memory. This deliciously goofy revue centers on four eager male singers killed in a car crash in the 1960's on the way to their first big concert, and now miraculously revived for the posthumous chance to fulfill their dreams and perform the show that never was.

‘Plaid’ is 90 percent music but there’s a lot of character on display from Jinx (Bill Woodall), Francis (Larry Mitcham), Sparky (John Cox) and Smudge (Phil Leverett). Singing in the closest of harmony and executing their choreography with over-zealous precision, the show is a program of beloved songs and delightful patter that keeps audiences amused when they're not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950's.

Dr. Keith Huckaby, drums, will join Anita Fillingim, pianist to provide the accompaniment to many of the favorite hits of the 1950’s singing groups such as The Four Aces, The Four Freshman and the Four Lads. “Three Coins in a Fountain”, “Sixteen Tons”, “Love is a Many Splendored Thing”, “Crazy Bout Ya Baby” and many more familiar tunes will bring back fond memories of that era.

Corporate Sponsor for this event: QUAD GRAPHICS.

Julie’s Garden Tips: October

If you want your poinsettia to turn color by Christmas, now’s the time to begin giving it 14 hours of darkness and 10 hours of bright light each day.

The pansy planting season begins now! Plant “six-pack” pansies eight inches apart, larger plants can be spaced ten inches apart.

Cut brown flower stems of purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, daylily and hosta back to ground level.

Move patio plants into shade for two weeks before bringing them inside. This will help prevent leaf drop.

Apply a weed preventer to beds of already-planted cool-season flowers to prevent weed seeds from sprouting.

Finish dividing daylily clumps, iris rhizomes and peony roots. Plant them into a well-dug bed immediately.

Plant spring flowering bulbs, like tulip, daffodil and hyacinth. Old, crowded beds can be loosened and the bulbs divided and replanted now.

Remove faded rose blooms. Clip wayward stems back so the plant has a compact form.

As chrysanthemum and aster flowers fade, cut the plants back to six inches tall.

Root cuttings of geranium, impatiens, begonia and other “outside” plants to bring indoors for the winter.