Another death in the news

    I heard today about the death of Nello Ferrara who died at the age of 93. If that name doesn't ring a bell how about the company he founded, Ferrara Pan, headquartered in Chicago? Here's a hint......his products were a staple at movie theaters and drive-ins around the country, not to mention stores on top of stores all over the place. A final clue...how are your teeth today? Give up? Here's the answer:

    Nello Ferrara was the head of his family's candy company, Ferrara Pan, that has made your favorite candies  for years. Emigrating from Italy in the early 1900s Ferrara Pan made such delectable treats as Boston Baked Beans, Red Hots, Atomic Fireballs, Lemonheads, and other candies.

    The "Pan" referred to in the company name had to do with the way the candy was made whereby "grains of sugar, nuts or candy centers" get tossed around in revolving pans "while adding the flavor, color and other candy ingredients," as revealed in the company's website, http://www.ferrarapan.com. The candy then gets tossed around until it becomes the desired size and then it is polished with vegetable wax.

    A little trivia about the creation of Atomic Fireballs. Mr Ferrara came up with the idea while he was in the service in 1954, serving in post-war Japan, according to a Chicago Sun-Times interview with  Ferrara's son, company CEO Salvatore Ferrara II.

The Boston Baked Beans themselves are peanuts covered in candy made the Ferrara Pan way. In addition to these treats, Ferrara Pan also makes Grape Heads, Apple Heads, Cherry Heads, Black Forest Gummies, Black Forest Fruit Snacks, and Jaw Busters.

Rest in Peace, Nello Ferrara. Generations of kids, adults, and dentists thank you for your contributions to the candy industry.