National Taffy Day

National Taffy Day, always  held on May 23, has no known origin and is considered an 'unofficial' (though tasty) holiday. 

 

Salt Water Taffy

 

Salt Water Taffy on Amazon

Salt water taffy was “invented” in Atlantic City in 1883. It has become a beach-side tradition since it first appeared, quickly becoming a favorite tourist souvenir.  Taffy has also become popular in the Midwest at county fairs and at some theme parks.  

Taffy is a variation of soft toffee*  At first, it was unflavored, then later molasses and vanilla were added as flavorings.  Today's taffy can be found in flavors from banana to chocolate and coffee, and lemon and mint to hot chile.  When the fancy flavors were added, the taffy was also colored to match the flavor.  The three most popular flavors are  peppermint, cinnamon and chocolate.

Salt water taffy is made with sugar, cornstarch, corn syrup, glycerine, water, butter, salt, flavoring and food color.  Taffy actually contains NO salt water (seawater). However, it does contain both salt and water.   In modern recipes, corn syrup may be added to prevent crystallization. 

The taffy is stretched or pulled for 20 minutes or so and rolled into ropes, then, cut into pieces no longer than two inches and wrapped in wax paper to keep it soft.


*Toffee is a candy that originated in the United Kingdom and is made by caramelizing sugar or molasses)

Grandma's Taffy Recipe*

 

"A quick and easy recipe for any flavor of taffy"

Prep:  5 m ~ Cook:  15 m ~ Ready In: 20 m - Makes 40 servings (63 cal)

Source: Wikimedia Commons

Ingredients

• 2 cups sugar
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup corn syrup
• 1-1/2 cups water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• tablespoon orange, or other flavored extract
• 8 drops any color food coloring 

Directions

In a large saucepan, stir together the sugar and cornstarch. Add the butter, salt, corn syrup and water; mix well. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to mix in butter. Heat to 275 degrees F (134 degrees C), or until a small amount of syrup dropped from a spoon forms hard but pliable threads.

Remove from heat, and stir in the vanilla, flavored extract and food coloring. Pour into a greased 8x8 inch baking dish. When cooled enough to handle, remove candy from the pan, and pull until it loses its shine and becomes stiff. Pull into ropes, and use scissors to cut into 1 inch pieces. Wrap each piece in waxed paper.

*Grandma's Taffy Recipe can be found on AllRecipes.com 

Laffy Taffy

 

Source: Amazon

In the 1970s,  a brand of taffy called Laffy Taffy was manufactured.  Made by Nestlé, it's sold under the Willy Wonka Candy Company brand.

Laffy Taffy is a type of taffy that comes in many fruit flavors. Laffy Taffy also comes with jokes, sent in by kids, written on the wrapper.

National Taffy Day

So, on May 23, come celebrate this day with a Taffy Treat. And for a list of more 'candy days' throughout the year, visit June is National Candy Month.




(c) Article by Wednesday Elf







Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

National Police Week

Honoring Our Police During National Police Week

 

Police Badge - (Source: CC 2.0 Scott Davidson on Flickr)

I grew up with a strong sense of pride in and admiration for the work law enforcement officers do to protect us and our communities. My uncle was a New York State Policeman and my father was the Chief Store Detective for a large department store. Living an honest life and appreciating the dedication & commitment police men and women bring to their job to keep us safe has always been a part of who I am.

This came full circle in 2003 when our son attended the Police Academy while staying with us. Learning first hand each night over dinner what goes into the training of a police officer and the values set forth by the police department made me prouder than ever, not just of my son, but of all law enforcement officers everywhere.

This page is dedicated to our police officers in all branches of Law Enforcement, and recognizes them particularly during National Police Week each May.

National Police Week in 2020

May 10-16, 2020

The Week includes Peace Officer Memorial Day (May 15th).

Origin of National Police Week - And Peace Officer Memorial Day

 

Police Week Greeting Card 3 by mannybell
Design unique personalized note cards from zazzle.com.

President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation in 1962 which designated May 15th as 'Peace Officers Memorial Day' and the week in which that date falls as National Police Week.

The Police Patrol in Various Ways. . .

 

TRAFFIC COP

 

Source: James Russo-Flickr

BY POLICE CAR

 

Source: Wikimedia Commons

 ON HORSEBACK

Source: Alan Kotok-Flickr

MOTORCYCLE OFFICER

 

Source: C. Kelly Roberts-Flickr

Note: Photographer C.K. Roberts states: "To get this shot, I laid on the ground and asked the officer to drive by me. He drove by me faster and faster, closer and closer, until I got this photograph."

POLICE ON BICYCLES

Source: Elvert Barnes-Flickr

National Law Enforcement Memorial

A Candlelight Vigil is traditionally held on May 13th, regardless of the day of the week on which it falls. National Peace Officers Memorial Day Service, hosted by the Fraternal Order of Police and the Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary is always held on May 15th in honor of our Fallen Officers.



Get involved with the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund by hosting an event to raise funds for the Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum.

It is a simple way to help promote the work of the Memorial and Museum and provide funding for either Memorial programs or the Museum capital campaign, "A Matter of Honor."

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

The Memorial Fund conducts a variety of programs and events each year to honor those law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and to increase public support for the law enforcement profession.

Events to raise funds for the Memorial Fund and the National Law Enforcement Museum often include:

•     Walks or Runs
•     Bike Race
•     Golf Tournament
•     Local Raffle
•     Concert

They also team up with numerous sporting events, such as Major League Baseball games, to hold 'Appreciation Events' to raise awareness and honor America's Law Enforcement Officers.

The Law Enforcement Appreciation Events for 2020 

The crisis that our nation and the world is currently facing has resulted in the cancellation of public gatherings in Washington, DC, during National Police Week 2020, but the National Law Enforcement Memorial and Museum wants you to know that National Police Week continues to be the dedicated time on the calendar to honor, remember, and celebrate American Law Enforcement. 

*Here in my community this week in 2020 there are signs at City Hall and other places celebrating our local law enforcement personnel. We are grateful for their presence every day, but especially so during this health crisis. Thank you to all our First Responders. 

Badge of Honor - Police Badge

 

Source: Wikipedia

 

A police badge is a symbol of authority granted by taking an oath and it contains the insignia of the organization it represents.

In the United States, police badges are usually made of metal in various colors and finishes and are worn above the left chest pocket on the uniform shirt or jacket.

Blue Mass - National Police Week

 

Honoring those who have given their lives in the line of duty.

Source: Flickr

National Police Wives Association

This is a charitable organization dedicated to supporting law enforcement spouses Created with the goal of helping police spouses and family members face the daily struggles of being in a law enforcement relationship.

• Click here to learn more about the National Police Wives Association 

 

A Police Officer and his Family

 

Police Academy Graduation - Swearing in Ceremony (personal photo)

It was a proud moment when our son completed the Police Academy and was sworn in as a police officer.

Proud Parents of a brand new police officer

Our Dad is now a Police Officer!

Policeman Dad (our son with his sons after graduating from the Police Academy in Savannah, Georgia.



Article originally written on another site. © 2012 Wednesday-Elf

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”