Our Past Is Present December 20, 2017

December 20, 2017

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society

            This is a warning that some of our listeners may become hungry for some seasonal  candy as you hear this story. The story is about an interesting process of making candy in 1930 at J.C.’s Flower Candy Kitchen, which was located in the Bartell House. Mike Phillips was making red and white striped candy baskets for the approaching holidays.  After the syrup had boiled to the proper temperature, he turned the boiling mass onto a marble slab and with buckskin clad hands he kneaded it until it was the proper consistency.  He then formed it into a loaf and decorated it with stripes of red candy, quickly forming it into a cone shape before a blowing gas fire.  Mike then called for help.  Three basket makers were kept busy as they elongated the cone, twisted, pulled and cut the exact length of candy needed.  It was then passed over to the next helper, who in the gentle breeze of an electric fan, coiled them like angry snakes into baskets and then flipped the end of the candy stick over to make a handle.

            We imagine these were very attractive - possibly too attractive to eat.

            Among other items that may be of interest to you as a gift for that special someone, we have some candy items for sale.  They are not as elaborate as described in today’s story, but may be of interest. Stop by our Museum at the corner of Sixth and Adams Streets between the hours of 1 and 4 any day Tuesday through Saturday and check out our Gift Shop.

            Well, that’s today’s story on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.