E v e r y d a y T h i n g s planters peanuts

By Archer D i peppe

Amendo Obici was seven when his father died. At eleven, he was put on a ship from Italy to America to live with his uncle. It was 1888. The 3000-mile voyage took three months. He had almost no money or possessions, and he couldn't speak English. He had a large tag tied to his coat with his name and final destination-- Willes-BBarre, Pennsylvania At that time, you did not need a passport or visa to land at Ellis Island

He made it to New York, but somehow he was misdirected to Scranton. A policeman found him sitting on the curb crying. He was taken to an Italian family who took care of him. He decided to work at their fruit stand and go to night school to learn English. He would later marry their daughter Louise.

At the marketplace, vendors began selling roasted peanuts. They smelled wonderful. After the Civil War, Union soldiers brought back a desire for them No one ate peanuts in the South except livestock and poor people

Peanuts were originally from South America, and the Spanish brought them to Africa. Slavers used them as cheap food for their human cargos. That is how peanuts came to America.

Amendo was a genius. He went to the scrapyard for parts to make a roaster. He needed repeat customers, so he created the brand Planters Peanuts A high school boy won a $5 contest to come up with the original drawings A graphic artist added a top hat, spats, a cane, and a monocle

Amendo needed to change the image from poor folks' food to well-to-do people's food. He called it Planters Peanuts to further capitalize on the wealth of the South's planters. Virginia was known worldwide as having the best peanuts Suffolk was the center of peanut farming. That's where he bought his peanuts.

Later he moved the manufacturing plant to Suffolk. Then he moved his family there. In this way, he eliminated middlemen and shipping cost. As the years went on, he created thousands of jobs not only in the South, but also across our nation

Amendo Obici was well-known for his philanthropy. Antonio Gentile, that kid who won the $5 prize, became an Eagle Scout and Valedictorian of his class. Amendo put him through college and medical school at UVA. His original drawings of Mr Peanut are now in the Smithsonian Amendo helped a large number of people over his lifetime.

After Louise died, Obici set up a trust to honor her memory, which built Suffolk's first hospital and then a new hospital there again in 2002. He also built a wing onto the hospital in his hometown in Italy.

Amendo Obici passed away in 1947. Planters was sold in 1960 to Standard Brand and then changed hands a number of times through different corporate enterprises.

Amendo Obici's story is America's story. A young boy, who couldn't speak English and had no money, built an empire through hard work and an enterprising spirit.

Archer Di Peppe is retired and lives in Spotsylvania County

Publisher’s Note: We welcome Arch back to our “Porch” He will be writing a recurrent column of “Everyday Things

Ristorante Renato Patio Completed Ristorante Renato in downtown Fredericksburg has finished its beautiful new 4-season outdoor patio.

Renato's, which recently celebrated its 45th anniversary, converted a portion of its parking lot off William Street into outdoor dining during the COVID pandemic, with much success.

The restaurant's owners later decided to build a patio that features beautiful brickwork, landscaping, lighting and a covering with eight louvered retractable awnings that can hold up to 2 feet of snow.

Renato's is located at 422 William Street. Ask to be seated on their patio!