1a Chocolate choc | Good Stories

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Thanks for making time to listen to a few of my stories.

I have always been interested in American history but heading a children's charity and raising a family did not allow time. Upon retirement I spent several years re reading those history books that I had just read in school to pass the test. During these reads, I paid particular attention to record (for retelling) those interesting and informative stories my history teachers didn't have time to share.

I organized Santa Express Trains to the North Pole for 10 years during my tenure with the children's charity. This intensified my passion for trains which I had had from youth. Upon retirement, I continued feeding my train passion by riding most of Amtrak's trains, even serving as an Amtrak tour guide.

My train passion went through the roof when I learned Robert Todd Lincoln arguably set the record for riding the most miles on trains before age 25, and while Secretary of War he traveled by train to many military places out West, AND at age 55 replaced George Pullman as the CEO of nation's largest rail manufacturing company, the Pullman Palace Car Co. Robert serve as CEO for 11 years and then continue as chairman of the Board for another 14 years! He definitely became a railroad baron.

With this knowledge, I chose to become a Robert Todd Lincoln reenactor. I found only 2 books on Robert Todd Lincoln. Yet, these books contained valuable information and stories I found delight in sharing as his reenactor.

For information and stories about

Robert Todd Lincoln tap here Mary Todd Lincoln tap here

Chocolate

Chocolate: A Health Food?

The English company Cadbury thought so.

In the late 1800's, the company promoted chocolate both as a cure for alcoholism and for laziness.

Chocolate's history started long ago and

taking centuries to develop into its present forms.

Companies such as Cadbury, Hershey, and Mars along with many others have made chocolate

so enjoyable today.

A Short History of Chocolate

Chicago's Palmer House Hotel

takes credit for

the first chocolate brownie

Chocolate Brownie.png

P.S. It is still the

most popular

dessert

at the

Palmer House Hotel restaurant

Who should take credit

for the first ice cream sundae

(presumably topped

with chocolate)?

Ithaca, NY?

Two Rivers, WI? Plainfield, IL?

Ice Cream Sundae.png

Until Milton Hershey made his first milk chocolate bar in 1900, the popular candy choices were caramels and dark chocolate.

Although he didn't invent milk chocolate (the Swiss did), Hershey perfected it and marketed milk chocolate to a sugar deprived America.

Hershey's Sweet Story

Frank Mars once bought his chocolate from Milton Hershey. Today is company has vaulted probably one of the most profitable company in the world. However, since it is still a private company we don't

know for sure.

Snickers, named after Frank Mars' horse, continues to be America's favorite candy, although M & M's isn't far behind.

What makes the M & M's story so interesting is it that it started as a joint venture between Mars and Hershey family members.

The Story of M & M's

Kentucky's Finest:

Bourbon Balls

Two substitute teachers who brought treats to school were encouraged to start a business making these mouth watering candies.

Now, over 100 years later, their company is selling millions of these treats each year.

How Bourbon Balls Started

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