Bought these at the Streeterville Walgreens up the street from my Chicago apartment. One taste takes me back to days of my Colorado youth — and how bad girls got me hooked on SweeTarts.
Morrison, Colorado, the early 1960s. No street address, just a big-ass mailbox on a Rural Route. I spent my days in 4-H, raising sheep, a pig, chickens, and ducks. Tried to tame our Shetland pony from hell and yearned to be one of the cool kids who rode in the Westernaires.
Out past our back field, U.S. 285 bulked up like Stallone for a Rambo flick, ballooning from two to four lanes as Colorado lit the fuse for its population explosion.
Up the road, you could see Lakehurst, a world of tomorrow whose show homes featured built-in vacuum cleaners. No need to haul that bulkiy canister upstairs and down — just carry that hose from room to room and plug it into any strategically located wall receptacle connected to a central vacuum in the basement.
Back then, getting candy wasn’t a stroll to 7-Eleven. You’d have to talk your parents into driving you to Safeway or King Soopers miles away.
But me and the local gang discovered a gold mine. Residents at a reform school for girls a quarter-mile away ran a little commissary. Like some twisted Willy Wonka setup, they’d sell candy to the staff, inmates, and neighborhood kids.
So there I was, my pocket change jangling louder than Elvis’ hips.
I walked in, eyeing those shelves like I’d hit the jackpot in Vegas. Laid my coins down. “Gimme a SweeTarts,” I told the girl behind the counter. To my disappointment, she looked more like the girl next door than the girl behind some outlaw biker.
First bite? I hit the motherlode. A punch of tang and sweet; it was like the Beatles and the Stones jamming in my mouth. A rock concert of flavor. Each color a different opening act, all leading to that headliner — pure satisfaction. And from then on, I was hooked. . .
Bad girls and good candy!
Years roll by. Life’s been a spaghetti western of ups and downs, but those SweeTarts? They stayed the same.
So here’s my toast to SweeTarts, the candy of outlaws and reform school rascals. Whether you’re from the country or the big city doesn’t matter. Those little discs pack a punch like Ali.
And if you’ve never had ’em? Well, what are you waiting for?
This paragraph near the conclusion of “Dandelion Wine” has stuck with me through the decades.
Every summer, I crack open “Dandelion Wine,” and come fall, it’s “Something Wicked This Way Comes.”
This has been a ritual since junior high. You’d think the magic would wear off. No, Bradbury’s still got it. Guy was like the Wagner of words.
“Dandelion Wine” kicks off my summer right. Takes me back and makes me a kid again, running through the grass barefoot. Green Town, Illinois, isn’t Chicago, but Bradbury makes you wish it was. Life, distilled in a bottle; not bad for an old paperback.
Then autumn rolls in, and “Something Wicked” hits the table. Spooky carnival, Dust Witch, and Mr. Dark with his tats.
The seasons change, the books change, but the grip stays the same. You don’t get to unplug from Bradbury.
So why’s this guy still on my bookshelf over 50 years later? Simple. Bradbury doesn’t just write. The man’s an architect who builds worlds out of words with real characters who can sit next to you at a bar.
And damn, if he doesn’t nail the human condition. You laugh, you shiver, you wonder.
With every read, something new jumps out. It’s like finding an easter egg in a Tarantino film you’ve watched a dozen times. Bradbury keeps giving, doesn’t go stale. It’s a “Pulp Fiction” of feelings, a “Kill Bill” of imagination.
You can’t box Bradbury in. He’s timeless. Not just because he was a literary wizard but because he got people.
And as long as I’m around, summer won’t start without “Dandelion Wine,” and fall can’t begin without “Something Wicked.”
So here’s to another 50 years.
Disney mostly did a good job bringing “Something Wicked This Way Comes” to the big screen.
Carmody McKnight Estate Winery has announced its new “Land of the Giants” collection.
Unearthing delightful surprises is a hobby of mine, especially when they blend nostalgia with a touch of elegance.
Today, I chanced upon such a gem.
Comic book artist John Peter Britton created Carmody McKnight Estate Winery’s new “Land of the Giants” label art.
Fans of the 1960s classic TV series “Land of the Giants” will fondly recall Gary Conway, who portrayed Captain Steve Burton with panache. Little did many of us know, Conway, alongside his wife, former Miss America Marian McKnight Conway, has been cultivating another passion: winemaking.
Their operation, the Carmody McKnight Estate Winery, is in picturesque Paso Robles, California, about 30 miles north of San Luis Obispo.
If the allure of a vineyard owned by such a dynamic duo isn’t enticing enough, here’s the cherry on top: They’re releasing a limited-edition vintage wine inspired by “Land of the Giants.”
While many celebrities, like Francis Ford Coppola, Fess Parker, and Sam Neill, have been drawn to the romantic charm of vineyards, Gary Conway’s and Marian McKnight Conway’s venture stands out.
Their commitment to a special release celebrating a golden era of television while passionately crafting wines in the heart of California’s wine country is unique.
The Carmody McKnight Estate Winery is more than just a winery; it’s a testament to the Conways’ journey, blending the worlds of Hollywood glamour, beauty pageants, and exquisite winemaking.
So, cheers to Gary Conway, Marian McKnight Conway, and their labor of love that gifts us both memories and flavor.
By the way, you still have time to join these folks as well as Conway’s “Land of the Giants” costars Heather Young and Stefan Arngrim at a five-course release dinner on Aug. 26. Check out the news release below for more info.
NEWS RELEASE
Carmody McKnight Estate Winery Announces Land of the Giants Collection
Land of the Giants Launch Party set for August 26 at Le Vigne Winery in Paso Robles
(Paso Robles, CA) — Carmody McKnight Estate Winery has announced the release of their new “Land of the Giants” collection. The initial release includes the 2019 Estate Colossal Cabernet Sauvignon and the 2019 Estate Colossal Cuvee. A five-course dinner created by Le Vigne Executive Chef Walter Filippini celebrating the release is scheduled for August 26 in Paso Robles.
Originating from Carmody McKnight’s legendary volcanic West Paso Robles vineyard, the special series of Bordeaux varietal wines are hand-crafted by Winemaker Anthony Gallegos. Gallegos continues the Carmody McKnight tradition of long barrel aging with minimal intervention. The 2019 Estate Colossal Cabernet and Cuvee both show off the incredible vintage of the nutrient rich volcanic West Paso Robles vineyard. These are serious complex, fruit-forward, giant Bordeaux wines to be enjoyed now and for decades. The Colossal Cuvee blends Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Star of the cult science fiction TV series, “Land of the Giants” , Gary Carmody Conway is, along with his wife, former Miss America Marian McKnight Conway, the proprietor of Carmody McKnight Estate Winery. The Irwin Allen series is one of the most popular TV series on a worldwide basis ever, airing on hundreds of stations internationally.
Attending the dinner and available to mingle with guests are original cast members Gary Conway (Captain Steve Burton), Heather Young (Betty Hamilton) and Stefan Arngrim (Barry Lockridge).
The “Land of the Giants” Cabernet Sauvignon will be paired with the second course of Red Wine Cavatelli with Pancetta & Asiago. The Colossal Cuvee is featured in the third course alongside Captain Burton’s Braised Bison Short Ribs.
Also poured at the launch dinner alongside the first course of Betty’s Beet Carpaccio with Balsamic Glaze and Fried Capers will be Carmody McKnight’s 2019 Forever Miss America Cabernet Franc. From the sale of every bottle from the Forever Miss America collection, the winery bestows a gift to the Forever Miss America Scholarship Fund. This fund has provided decades of commitment to the economic and social advancement of all women through education opportunities and career resourcing.
The dinner opens and closes with courses paired with wines made by the Conways’ daughter Kathleen. Little People Appetizers will be served with K Estate Sparkling, and the dessert, Very Barry Semifreddo, is matched with her K Estate Port.
The “Land of the Giants” wine collection labels are designed by renowned comic book artist John Peter Britton who specializes in producing artwork for fantasy and science fiction genre television. They depict Gary Conway’s character, Captain Steve Burton, being held captive in the hand of a giant.
The “Land of the Giants” release dinner will be held on Saturday, August 26, at Le Vigne winery located at 5115 Buena Vista Drive, Paso Robles, California, 93446. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and tickets are $132 per person, including tax and gratuity. To purchase tickets, please go here.
About Carmody McKnight Estate Winery Established in 1968 by former Miss America Marian McKnight Conway and actor/artist Gary Conway, Paso Robles-based Carmody McKnight is credited for pioneering the West Paso Robles AVA – Adelaida subdistrict now recognized as a premium viticultural region for Bordeaux and other noble varietals. Located seven miles from the Pacific Ocean and climatically protected by the Santa Lucia Mountains, the legendary estate vineyard, with its three volcanoes, possesses the rarest of viticulturally rich soils making it the epitome of sustainability. The region is also known for its perfect Mediterranean temperature range and climate conditions. Carmody McKnight produces award-winning, limited release Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc varietal wines. Allocation list members enjoy exclusive access to limited release collector series wines including Land of the Giants and Forever Miss America wines that support women’s educational scholarships.
My grandfather always had a cache of Life Savers Butter Rum ready for his grandkids.
One of life’s most underrated comforts comes from the most minor, simplest things. The smell of an old book, the sound of rain against the window, or the taste of your favorite childhood candy melting in your mouth all bring comfort.
For me, it’s reminiscing with the classic Life Savers Butter Rum candy. My grandfather always had a stash ready for us grandchildren. This small, sweet token of his love is now a tradition threatened by a cruel reality: Finding Life Savers Butter Rum candy at significant retailers has become nearly impossible.
Drugstore cashier stations used to be filled with all things Life Savers, complete with a vibrant display that offered an array of flavors for the choosing.
The cheerful yellow wrapper of Butter Rum was a bright spot on routine errand days, promising a delicious trip to a buttery paradise. Unfortunately, the once ubiquitous Butter Rum is now somewhat elusive.
You’ll still find Life Savers in cherry, peppermint, and original flavors. Navigating the dense maze of candies that line modern retailers’ shelves yields confections of all shapes, sizes, and flavors. Yet, Butter Rum is often conspicuously absent.
Interestingly, newsstands, those humble, often overlooked establishments, consistently stock Butter Rum. It’s a curious phenomenon.
From the quaint, family-owned newsstand in my neighborhood to the small kiosk tucked away downtown, the spirit of Butter Rum endures, holding its place in these businesses.
It makes you wonder why these newsstands can keep up with the demand for this nostalgic flavor while large retailers can’t. Perhaps they understand the charm of this vintage flavor that reminds us of simpler times when the most significant decision was choosing your favorite candy.
While it’s not my place to speculate, the disparity is intriguing. So, major retailers, here is a heartfelt plea: Pay attention. Bring back the Life Savers Butter Rum. For many, it’s not just a candy but a piece of cherished memories, a link to loved ones, and a tradition passed down through generations.
What about you? Do you have trouble finding favorite childhood candy?
L.T. Hanlon 