Have a Modjeska

On the day after Valentine’s Day, many of us are noshing on candy. But what about a Lindy? Or a Modjeska? Yesterday I wrote about Schimpff’s Confectionary, one of the oldest candy makers in the U.S. There, the on-site museum features enough trivia to send a sweet tooth’s blood sugar soaring. Among the displays are early 20^th-century candy jars made of pressed glass. There’s one of Charles Lindbergh flying The Spirit of St. Louis (Lindbergh also had candy bars named after him called The Lindy and the Winning Lindy). There is another one of Charlie Chaplin in his trademark hands-in-pockets stance. A fabulous tale from Schimpff’s museum is that of the late 1800s stage actress, Helena Modjeska, who deeply moved the audiences – and candy makers – of Louisville, Kentucky (across the Ohio River from Schiff’s) when she performed there in 1883.  The now-defunct Busath’s Candy made a treat in her honor, named the Modjeska; it was a marshmallow hand-dipped in caramel. Other candy makers followed in suit, and Schimpff’s still makes Modjeskas today.