For those that do not live in the central PA area, you may not be aware of the man behind the candy bar, the Hershey candy bar.
He was born and raised in the Hershey area, which wasn't yet called Hershey since it was named after him. When he was young, he learned to make candy from a local man and then went abroad to learn more from the European masters. He then built the factory that stands in Hershey, PA today with the vision of having the ideal community surrounding the plant. This town would have comfortable homes and public transportation for the employees of the plant, a public school system as well as recreational and cultural activities for the community. It was that vision that created Hersheypark that is still in operation today as well as the Hershey Theater which is one of the most stunning theaters I've ever been in. The picture below with the clouds, that's inside the theater, the clouds move over the ceiling in the dark and in the light!
He also created a home for orphaned boys since he and his wife were unable to have children. This school as well is still in existance today. Though (I don't believe) it's only for boys anymore. Along with all these philanthropic endeavors, he built the Hotel Hershey (my favorite place to get dipped in chocolate), the rose gardens and the Hershey Museum. Hey, maybe I can work there!! One thing I love about driving through Hershey, besides her Hershey Kiss street lights, is the smell that comes out of the factory when chocolate is being made. I remember my father taking me to the factory for a tour, but like Willie Wonka, they closed the factory to the outside many years ago. You can get pseudo tour by going to Hershey Chocolate World nearby, but it's just not the same.
It seems thought that the desire for profit and cheap labor far outweigh the desire to see Mr. Hershey's dream through. The Hershey Company has decided to close several of its plants; one in California, one in Reading, PA and one in Connecticut so that our neighbors to the south (Mexico) may have jobs and make the candy many of us love to eat. So much for having a dream.
4 comments:
You missed the positive note of this story. Some rich, Hershey stockholders can make a few pennies more on their stocks, well, that is until the charm of Hershey is completely gone and goes the way of Detroit. Maybe the union shouldn't have fought so hard to make sure someone watching for mis-shaped Kisses gets paid $20 an hour?
Mmmm. I can just imagine the smell of hot chocolate in the air.
Nittanybri hit the nail on the head. The unions are killing the US.
I remember a grocery store in the US, Giant foods, where the cashiers are union and getting something outrageous like $35 an hour.
Grocery store cashier is a minimum wage job for high school kids.
Customers pay for that with higher prices. And the high school kids can't get a job.
I have this urge to make bad "Hershey Highway" jokes, but I'm going to resist.
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