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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Nothing Says Halloween Like Candy and a Store

My first visit to a candy factory couldn't have been more fun. Not only was it interesting, but we had lots of samples. What better time to go than just before Halloween, because the store was decked out in all the goodies for Halloween.

The Van Otis Chocolates (factory and store) is located in Manchester, New Hampshire.
341 Elm St., Manchester, NH 03101
(603)627-1611

We took a tour that lasted a little over an hour, and below are a few of my photos.
Gift wrapping room (above).
Chocolate shoes! Apparently, they are quite popular.
Waiting for the chocolate to be poured in these pans. Then they will be carried over to the two cutting machines to make perfect squares.

Candy maker putting Turtle clusters on the slow moving conveyor belt to cool the chocolate (I think it takes 11 minutes from beginning to end) and the women in the other room package them. In order to be a candy maker here, they have to go a cooking school first, then apprentice at Van Otis at least a year.

One of two conveyor belts (goes from the back room to right above.)
A yummy mess.
A little advertising and the original copper kettle.
The fun is in the choosing, but, there are so many. I have to say, I enjoyed all my purchases. My husband wants to go, so we'll make a December visit. I can't wait to see the decorations, then the ones for Valentine's Day. Fortunately, the store is about 50 minutes away.