Chesterfield February 2016

Chesterfield FEBRUARY 2016

ChesterfieldLifestyle.com

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THE CUP: EXTRAORDINARILY EXCEPTIONAL CUPCAKES NOTHING BUNDT CAKES: FRESH & FABULOUS MAKING APPLE BUTTER: CHESTERFIELD TIMES PAST CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE COMPANY

RESIDENTIAL SENIOR LIVING COMMERCIAL MARINE

JANE GANZ, ASID PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

Lifestyle Letter

Life is Uncertain...

Eat Dessert First H

FEBRUARY 2016 publisher

Denise Sundvold | DSundvold@LifestylePubs.com

ow many times have we gone out to eat, at one of the fine restaurants, in Chesterfield and when our server asks if we would like to order dessert, we are much too full to even consider it? If you are like us, this happens every time you dine out!

editor

Elizabeth “Libby” Mullen | LMullen@LifestylePubs.com contributing writers

Greg Kilper, Ben Morrison MD, Libby Mullen, Aimee Pellet, Mary Shapiro

Last time this happened, we agreed we should go out, sometime, just for dessert. It hasn’t happened yet. Don’t worry, it isn’t like we are deprived of sugar and sweet treats—John has a bag of Sour Patch Kids hidden (from our kids) in his sock drawer—decadent, I know.

But, seriously, I am talking about more gourmet desserts. Traditionally, dessert is the last course of a meal. The word “dessert” derives from the French word “desservir,” which literally means to “de-serve,” but translates to mean “clear the table.” As in, clear the table of the dinner dishes and break out the cake!

In England, you may hear children asking, “What’s for pudding?” Pudding is the common word for dessert, since most of the British desserts were a type of pudding, it became generalized. You might recall spoken parts in Pink Floyd’s, The Wall, screaming out in a British accent and repeating, “If you don’t eat your meat, you can’t have any pudding; how can you have any pudding if you don’t eat your meat?”

It’s good practice to expect children to eat healthy foods before eating sweets; they are still growing and developing. Kids will eat amazing things, even things they don’t like, to get dessert--even green leafy things!

Adults love dessert, too. Scientists say that sugar activates the reward center of the brain and releases dopamine-feel good chemical-in a similar pattern to romantic love interactions. It’s no wonder everyone seems to crave sugar and sweet treats; we adore them so much that we even nickname our loved ones after desserts!

So, this Valentine’s Day, surprise Honey, Sweetie Pie, Sugar or Baby Cakes and consider following the advice of little known author, Ernestine Ulmer (1897-1987), “Life is uncertain…eat dessert first.”

contributing photographers

John Babb account executive

Judy Garrett | Judy.Garrett@LifestylePubs.com chesterfield lifestyle

636.537.7806

CORPORATE TEAM | Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

CHIEF SALES OFFICER

| Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DIRECTOR OF MARKETING

| Brad Broockerd

| Sara Minor

ART DIRECTOR EDITORIAL DIRECTOR AD COORDINATORS

| DeLand Shore

| Nicole Sylvester

| Cyndi Harrington, Chelsi Hornbaker, Kim Foster, Megan Seymour

LAYOUT DESIGNER DESIGN SPECIALIST

| Nicolette Martin | Ashleigh Thomson

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT WEB DEVELOPER

| Melanie Carlisle | Michael O’Connell | Hanna Park

Yours in Community, Elizabeth "Libby" Mullen

Elizabeth “Libby” Mullen, Editor

by Community ™

LMullen@LifestylePubs.com

ChesterfieldLifestyle.com ON THE COVER Rows of deliciously fresh cupcakes await you at The Cup, in Chesterfield. The Cup is locally owned and operated; read more about The Cup on page 22 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN BABB 4

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

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P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 Chesterfield Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of Chesterfield’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors.

Information in Chesterfield Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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It’s a Great Time To Put Your Home On The Market Listing Inventory Is Low and Buyers Are Looking!

636-394-9300

February 2016

20

14 Making Apple Butter: A Community Dessert

Departments 8

Good Times

10

Around Town

13

Financial Buzz

14

Times Past

26

Healthy Lifestyle

29

Sold Properties

30

Lifestyle Calendar

34

Parting Thoughts

It took a “village” to make a batch of one of Chesterfield’s favorite sweets.

16 Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company

Treat your valentine to handmade chocolates in Chesterfield.

20 Nothing Bundt Cakes

Have you ever heard of a “bundtlet” or a “bundtini?”

Extraordinary cupcakes in amazing flavors-even maple bacon-await you.

22 What's Up at The Cup?

14

16

22

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Good Times

Connecting Chamber Women Create at Arts Unleashed Inc.

Connecting Chamber Women (CCW), a group of women who are members of Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce, met at Arts Unleashed Inc. to create pottery pieces. Arts Unleashed Inc. offers artistic opportunities to a variety of age groups and facilitates creative experiences through different art mediums.

Chesterfield Valley Dental Group Family, Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry ...Focused on YOU • Locally owned by fellow Chesterfield resident • Complimentary custom whitening trays with new patient exam “I don’t love going to the dentist, but when I do, I love going here! My teeth are always cleaned to perfection. Melinda is phenomenal! Dr. Rahm and all of his staff members are just a pleasure to work with!” - Delight D.

Robert L. Rahm, DDS

8

ChesterfieldValleyDental.com

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

61

INTERSTATE

64

Hampton Inn & Suites

IHOP

Chesterfield Airport Rd

Bo on e’s Cr os sin g

• Clean, bright, well organized surroundings

(636) 537-5240

Merrymaking at the Chesterfield Chamber's Holiday Luncheon

The Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce held the General Membership Meeting and holiday luncheon, at Drury Plaza, in Chesterfield. Members and guests enjoyed entertainment by Nick Calandro. LifeLock sponsored the meeting.

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

9

Around Town

AROUND TOWN

DID YOU KNOW…

rience with electronic devices all by reducing frustration, confusion and aggravation.

Senior Computer Support was started a little more than a year ago because Ryan Legow had the desire to help people enjoy using their computers.

“I sensed a growing frustration as electronics became such a growing part of our lives and continued to change rapidly. Teaching others and seeing it all become clear is extremely rewarding, especially with the senior population,” says Legow. “We serve any age range with a focus on the senior population.”

Chesterfield Lifestyle is 100% sponsored and funded by our

SCS is adept at teaching the use of any electronic device, always

advertisers each month. CL does not receive any separate funding from

with patience and care. In addition, SCS tutors are happy to help with

taxes, donations, the City of Chesterfield or the Chesterfield Chamber of

software suggestions and with choosing and purchasing new elec-

Commerce, nor do we charge subscription fees to the readers living on

tronics. Employing SCS can expand and enrich your life by assisting

the mailing routes we serve. Our local publication is to, for and about the

you in connecting with friends, family and vital services. The company

residents, businesses and organizations, in Chesterfield. Each month,

will teach one on one or in groups and SCS offers special group rates.

we receive wonderful letters, from readers, who enjoy Chesterfield

SCS also teaches classes on a variety of topics for companies and or-

Lifestyle so much that they read it "cover to cover" and take the time

ganizations. SCS covers the spectrum from vital security awareness

to write; that speaks volumes. We appreciate this positive feedback

to fun and game activities and their rates are very competitive.

and love hearing from our readers, every day. The very best ways to ensure that you keep receiving Chesterfield Lifestyle, each month, is

Please contact us at 314.603.1224 or visit: SeniorComputerSupport.com for more information or to schedule an appointment.

to patronize our advertisers; make sure they know you are a reader of Chesterfield Lifestyle and saw their ad(s) in our publication; if you are a business owner or make these decisions for your company, please consider becoming an advertising partner with Chesterfield Lifestyle.

Call: 636.537.7806 or email: DSundvold@LifestylePubs.com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Libby, I enjoyed reading and re-reading "Our Rich Tapestry" in the January issue. It's welcome and refreshing to hear positive comments about diversity. The analogy that all the threads of a tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color, by Maya Angelou, is inspirational.

Many thanks for your positive comments and great magazine.

I read it cover to cover.

Ginger McCartney Hello, Libby.

I have enjoyed reading your magazine so much that I felt I needed to send my personal “thank-you” for such a special publication!

The articles are especially interesting and so well researched that I read Chesterfield Lifestyle from cover-to-cover. I thoroughly enjoyed last month’s articles concerning dogs and the diversity stories in the most recent publication are very informative.

RESIDENTS AT FRIENDSHIP VILLAGE CHESTERFIELD MAKE AND DONATE CHAIRS In the spirit of the holidays and starting the New Year happily, residents at Friendship Village Chesterfield (FVC) lent their woodworking and creative arts skills to produce chairs for North Side Community School, a charter school at 3033 North Euclid serving North St. Louis City.

Dewayn Reese, FVC’s woodshop coordinator, designed the colorful chairs which were then built and sanded by woodworkers in

Thanks to you, Libby, for such an outstanding local magazine.

the retirement community before painting by the FVC creative arts

Nancy Geiger

residents under the direction of Gina Enberg, FVC creative arts coor-

SENIOR COMPUTER SUPPORT HELPS PEOPLE CONNECT Senior Computer Support Tutors can expand your world, enhance your understanding of technology and enrich your expe10

Students Enjoying Chairs Made by FVC Residents

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

dinator. At North Side School, the chairs, stenciled on the back with the school’s logo, were given to the art class of Jessica Canale.

Mary Mungenast, a resident of Friendship Village Chesterfield, along with her husband, Carl, delivered and presented the chairs to North Side Community School.

Eight woodworkers and creative arts residents at FVC worked on the project: Betty Miller, Paul Scheidt, Phil and Diane Zimmerman, Dee Felt, Jean Speranza and Carl and Mary Mungenast.

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Old House in Hog Hollow Wishes You a Happy

2016

14319 Olive Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63017 (one mile west of 141 & four miles east of Chesterfield Mall) Hours: Mon-Sat 10-5 (314)469-1019 oldhouseinhoghollow.com

CHESTERFIELD SEEKING NOMINATIONS FOR CITIZEN OF THE YEAR Mayor Bob Nation and the Chesterfield City Council are officially requesting nominations for the 2015 Chesterfield "Citizen of the Year” Award. Many residents contribute to the community in a significant manner, each day, without reward or recognition. This is an opportunity to nominate someone who has brought honor upon him or herself and the community as the result of an outstanding accomplishment or simply by being actively involved and helpful within the community.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Citizens to be selected for recognition should meet the following criteria: • Actions being recognized should benefit the overall community

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of the City of Chesterfield and its residents in some manner through volunteerism, work performed on community projects and overall civic contributions to the community.

• Individuals nominated should preferably be a resident of the City of Chesterfield. If not, the accomplishment should take place in the City.

NOMINATION GUIDELINES

• One nomination per person per household (spouses can be nominated jointly).

• Previously nominated individuals can be re-nominated.

• A nominee cannot serve on the Selection Committee.

• A nominee cannot serve in a publicly elected position.

• The person nominating an individual cannot serve on the Selection Committee.

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

11

Around Town

“I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”

(CON TI N UED)

• City Employees will not be considered for the award.

Online application forms can be found on the City’s website at: Chesterfield.Mo.Us in the “Trending” section on the home page. Applications are due no later than February 5, 2016. If you have any questions, please call 636.537.4000.

YOU GUESSED IT! January’s Mystery picture was taken of the sign marking the historical area of Old Chesterfield located at Old Chesterfield and Baxter Roads-the area that was known as Gumbo Flats.

A special thanks to all of our readers who took the time to write; keep those guesses coming! Congratulations to the following readers whose names were drawn from the pool of correct guessers: Vita Epifanio, Gerard Lamoureux

MONTHLY MYSTERY PICTURE: WHAT IS IT? Each month a Mystery Picture will be included at the end of Around Town. The Mystery Picture is a photo of something

Recently Installed in a Chesterfield Home

in Chesterfield; the picture may depict a close-up or

view

be

taken

from a unique vantage

point.

The answer to “What

is

it?”

will be included in the next month’s of

Custom Wood Doors & Door Hardware 137 Chesterfield Industrial Blvd, Chesterfield, MO 63005

(636) 530-7545 www.scobiscompany.com

issue

Chesterfield

Lifestyle,

along

with a new Mystery Picture to solve.

Readers

are encouraged to submit one guess per month to LMullen@LifestylePubs.com.

The

first

readers to submit an email, correctly identifying the subject of the Mystery Picture, will be given the opportunity to have their name included in the next month’s issue.

Chesterfield is home to many hidden treasures, and we want to encourage you to always be exploring and discovering new things around town!

12

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

Financial Buzz

Mapping Out Your Rental Portfolio IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF

properties you plan to purchase in the next two to three years and factors in items like: average purchase price, average repairs to bring to rent-ready condition, vacancy rates, property taxes, insurance, vacancy and maintenance fees.

• What kind of capital commitment can I realistically allocate toward buying my first rental property? This includes evaluating IRAs, looking at personal properties which might be paid down and which might qualify for a Home Equity Line of Credit, and looking into lending sources that are available to landlords.

• What level of involvement do I want to have with the properties and the tenants? Managing real estate is not easy. It takes a very balanced approach; you have to be looking out for your tenants’ safety and concerns as well as your own interests.

• Do I have the time and desire to be a “hands-on” landlord dealing with maintenance phone calls, rent collections, late fees and paying the taxes and insurance? OR • Do I want to start out in a more “executive-style” fashion and pay a property manager 10% plus a little extra on the repairs to have them handle these items?

I recommend sitting down and asking yourself these questions, discussing your answers to the questions and reasons for them with a friend or trusted business advisor. Once you are satisfied with your answers, you can begin creating your business plan and decide which direction you will be taking with your rental portfolio. Mapping out your preferred investment style and rental property portfolio plans, will help you avoid frustrations and expensive mistakes as you start your venture.

In future articles, we will examine different investing styles to grow your rental portfolio and many other ideas related to real estate investing.

ARTICLE GREG KILPER | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

R

ental properties can be a great investment when you compare them to the volatility and lack of transparency in the stock market. I encourage new investors to have an honest conversation, with themselves, as to what level of commitment they are prepared to offer to their investment.

After buying, rehabbing and selling real estate, for close to a decade, I find myself desiring a more regular, stable and fixed income aspect to my business. It would sure be nice to travel with the family and still have some income coming. I also want to be sure that I am building something for the long term and I suspect many other people are in the same boat-- no matter which industry. If you decide to make the move to investing in rental properties, here are some items I encourage you to think through before taking that leap. Ask yourself: • What are my goals?

• Do I want to invest longer term in higher price point properties which have smaller cash on cash return but more appreciation? OR • Do I want to invest in cash flow properties that produce quite a nice cash on cash return but which are more management intense?

• What is more important at this point in my life? Once you decide, you will need to create a business plan which indicates the number of

Greg Kilper invests in real estate and enjoys working with real estate investors every day. If you have questions or suggestions for future topics please send them to: Info@FlipItFriday.com.

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

13

Times Past

AN OLD-FASHIONED COMMUNITY DESSERT ARTICLE AIMEE PELLET | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

T

hey say it takes a village to raise a child;

This wasn’t just a basic farm visit; it was to help

years ago, it took a village to do many

make apple butter. Making apple butter, particu-

things. Communities worked together to

larly in a large quantity, wasn’t an ordinary event.

Meanwhile the men, some dressed in un-

build barns, harvest crops and make quilts.

It required a rather lengthy process and it was

fashionable but practical overalls, carried an

Sometimes they even worked together to

also an excuse to have a social gathering.

enormous cast iron kettle lined with copper

make dessert.

today at a social gathering—family, weather, work and probably a healthy dose of gossip.

The Dausters had picked apples from the

from the barn. The kettle was nearly as tall as I

When I was about eight years old, my grand-

small orchard on the farm; the apples sat,

was at the time. They arranged wood carefully

ma took me along for a unique community ex-

shiny and red, in numerous bushel baskets on

to provide maximum heat to sufficiently heat

perience—at the time, I didn’t realize it was a

the lawn. Chairs had been placed in a circle

the cauldron. Then they set the pile ablaze.

dying activity. We wound our way through the

under the shade of the large trees. One by one

The apples were added as fast as the

twisting roads of The Bottoms, in Chesterfield.

the chairs were occupied by older ladies from

women could peel them. They poured large

This was long before the major, multi-lane roads

nearby farms. Each woman gathered a pile

sacks of sugar and various spices into the

that slice through the landscape today. We ar-

of apples into an enamelware basin and sat

mixture. At first, the hodge-podge resembled

rived at the Dauster’s farm, known today as

it in her lap. With paring knives in hands, the

a strange fruit salad and as the fire did its job,

Thies Farm. Back then, it belonged to my grand-

women deftly peeled each apple, refilling the

prompted by a constant stirring from a rota-

parents’ best friends, Mil and Dux Dauster. It was

bowl when they were finished. The rhythmic

tion of men, the bubbling mixture began to re-

just as much the center of community activity as

motion didn’t deter them from quick and ani-

semble its trademark soft, brown appearance.

the current Thies Farm, albeit still a family farm

mated conversation. I’m sure they discussed

The smell of wood smoke with apples and

and not opened to the public at the time.

many of the same topics we might discuss

spices was heady.

14

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

Large ladles poured steady streams of the thick brown goo into Mason jars that had been boiled for sanitization. Everyone presumably took home their share of the confection to be slathered upon homemade bread, coffee cake or by this time possibly even slices of Wonder Bread.

Long before the days of helicopter parents, this group allowed me to help with every aspect of the process. I learned how to peel an apple using a paring knife. I stood close by as they lit the fire. I helped stir the enormous vat of boiling, sugary slush atop a fire with the large wooden paddle. At the end of the day, I was still excited—yes, it’s true—to help with the mountains of dishes in a farmhouse that had never seen an automatic dishwasher.

I’m pretty sure that this is an event that has been lost to time, replaced with online recipes and takeout meals. It's a memory I will always treasure. Even then, I realized that this type of

Chandler Chair by Wesley Hall.

gathering was unique. I felt a part of the shared work, even if my 8-year-old hands weren’t really much help. Though you can still purchase apple butter at a farmer’s market or maybe even make it yourself, you can’t buy the experience of that day. Seek out experiences for your children that allow them to be actively involved in the process of making something—perhaps a des-

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DauFurniture.com February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

15

1/12/16 10:35 AM

Local, Handmade, Premium Chocolates ARTICLE MARY SHAPIRO PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN BABB AND PROVIDED

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Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

C

hocolate (times three!) equals lots of delicious fun!

Founded in 1981, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company has eight locations, in the St. Louis area, including one at 1743 Clarkson Road in Chesterfield. The Chesterfield location opened about 12 years ago, said Vice President, Christina Abel, whose parents, Dan and Rosalie Abel, own the company.

After years of studying the art of handcrafting small batches of premium chocolates and apprenticing with master candy makers nationwide, founder Dan Abel of St. Louis came back to his home town to open his own candy company, Abel said.

“In February of 1981, he opened his first Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company store in a shopping center at Truffles Clarkson and Clayton roads, which was relocated to 6740 Chippewa Street in St. Louis about 26 years ago - that store still operates,”Abel said.

Abel said her father's business concept was simple – to source the finest ingredients in the world and blend them together in small batches.

Today, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company is a second generation chocolate company, with Dan and Rosalie working alongside Christina and her younger brothers Dan Jr. and Christopher. The family of candy makers works with a talented staff of artisan chocolatiers with over 100 years of combined confectionery experience.

In 2002, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company began franchising its retail store concept.

Customers in a number of locations were asking for stores closer to home,” Abel said.

The franchise stores were designed to represent the original St. Louis store, and each store has a small kitchen to make fresh chocolates

The family of candy makers works with a talented staff of artisan chocolatiers with over 100 years of combined confectionery experience.

on the premises to ensure customers will receive only the freshest products.

In 2009, the Abel family re-launched the legendary Mavrakos chocolate brand after holding the recipe book passed down from the Mavrakos owners in 1984. In 2011, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company created a gourmet wholesale division which wholesales its line of chocolates across the United States.

In 2012, the family opened a 30,000 square-foot stateof-the-art chocolate factory on St. Louis’ Hill at 5025 Pattison Ave. About 30 people work at the factory, where original recipes from the turn of the century are slowly cooked in copper kettles and stirred by hand. Chocolates are hand decorated or ‘striped’ and polished before being packaged into boxes. Premium ingredients are used in all chocolates including: fresh whole milk, fresh whipping cream, pure cane sugar, grade AA butter, pure Madagascar vanilla, fresh fruit, all natural milk and dark chocolate — made with Fair Trade Certified ingredients.

CONTINUED >

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

17

CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE CHOCOLATE COMPANY

(CON TI N UED)

Abel Family Chocolatiers

In 2014, Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company converted 100 percent of the cocoa and cane sugar to Fair Trade Certified ingredients. Those ingredients provide farmers a better wage and better quality of life, Abel said, adding that all of the fair trade premiums that Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company pays go directly to cocoa farmers in the Ivory Coast and sugar farmers in Belize.

“We produce, easily, over 100,000 pounds of chocolate a year,” Abel said. “It’s a great perk to work with my family - we see each other every day. Also, working with chocolate is fun – there are different products depending on the season, so they’re constantly changing.”

Abel also loves working with retail customers.

“You’ll see people come in to order chocolates for weddings or rehearsal dinners and, years later, order chocolates for baby showers or first birthday parties,” she said.

“You’re part of amazing events and milestones, which also makes the job exciting. All of our chocolates come with a smile in every box, we say.”

Their locations in the St. Louis region offer everything from gourmet boxed collections, artisan barks and Mavrakos chocolates to everyday snacks. Their most popular products include PB&J truffles, sea salt caramel cubes, peanut butter pretzel cubes, artisan truffles and chocolate covered strawberries. Cost range is $5.95 to $49.95 depending on the product and amount.

“A new trend that’s interesting to me is that more people, because of information available about the health benefits, are shifting to trying or changing over to eating dark chocolate, so it’s gaining in popularity even though it’s richer and not quite as sweet – though not bitter – as milk chocolate,” Abel said.

18

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

The factory - designed and built for the company's national wholesale expansion – allows people to take free tours six days a week to watch chocolates being made.

Abel said visitors are shown the candy kitchen and taken on to the factory floor to see, smell and taste chocolates.

“We show you our chocolate “enrobers” – the I-Love-Lucy-type machines that cover the candy with chocolate,” Abel said. “More than 50,000 visitors each year take tours.”

Tours are from 9 am to 3 pm, Mondays through Fridays and 9 am to 1 pm Saturdays, running every half hour except from noon to 12:30 pm.

Tour reservations are recommended in general, required for Saturday tours and/or groups of six or more.

Abel said, “Tours are one of many ways the company tries to thank our customers, who have helped us grow – we’re so grateful to them.”

A featured product this month at Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company, especially for Valentine’s Day, is chocolatecovered strawberries.

“Valentine’s Day is the one holiday, in our business, where customers can procrastinate on buying - strawberries are perishable so you can wait until the last minute to get your valentine a gift,” she said.

Abel warns that chocolate absorbs odors – so don’t keep it in the refrigerator near foods like onions, or that flavor will be picked up.

“You can keep regular chocolates at room temperature but the chocolate-covered strawberries do have to go in the refrigerator – away from the onions!” Abel said

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15201 Olive Boulevard • Chesterfield, MO 63017 www.FriendshipVillageSTL.com Call Helen Brungard (314) 803-5545 for more information.

CL0216

Neely praises a great staff and lots of loyal customers.

“We couldn’t be successful without them,” she said.

NOTHING BUNDT CAKES | 159 Lamp and Lantern Village | Town & Country, MO 63017 | 636.220.6087 | NothingBundtCakes.com

20

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

Fresh and Fabulous ARTICLE MARY SHAPIRO | PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN BABB

N

othing Bundt Cakes, in Town & Country, offers cakes with fresh ingredients and fabulous flavors, all with a family touch.

West County resident Jannette Neely, along with husband Paul, owns the franchise at 159 Lamp and Lantern Village; her twin sister, Penelope Ritchie of Ballwin, is operator of the store.

Neely said the company is based out of Las Vegas. In 1997, founders, Dena Tripp and Debbie Shwetz, started the business after they had made cakes to entertain friends and family and realized their side project could become something more.

Neely said the company’s more than 150 franchises nationwide use ingredients such as fresh eggs, real butter and real cream cheese.

Neely remembers her mom baking bundt cakes when she was a child, “They have a special place in my heart – I love to bake and have a passion for it.”

“I saw my first Nothing Bundt Cakes franchise in Texas when I was living there nine years ago and just fell in love with the whole concept,” Neely said.

“I started using their cakes for family and friends’ events and special occasions. Then I moved to Baton Rouge, La. and saw another franchise pop up and loved it. My husband and I decided to look into it for the St. Louis area, where I was born and raised, and there was no franchise here. We said to ourselves 'let’s go for it' and we opened April 1 of 2015.”

Customers can choose from 10 bundt flavors and 40 unique cake designs, and the stores also offer unique gifts, cards and decorator items.

Edible products include eight-inch or 10inch diameter cakes, tiered cakes, “bundlets” sold individually or sold by the dozen in a “bundlet bundle” or in cellophane gift-wrapped towers of one, two or three levels, and bite-sized “bundtinis” that are only sold by the dozen.

Classic bundt flavors include red velvet, chocolate chocolate chip, lemon, marble, pecan praline, carrot, white white chocolate, cinnamon swirl and white chocolate raspberry. The Town & Country store offers gluten-free bundlets.

The February feature flavor will be chocolate turtle. In March, it will be peanut butter chocolate chip.

The company is famous for its signature thick frosting petals that adorn each cake, Neely said.

“Our signature frosting is made with cream cheese and real butter,” she said.

“For a lighter touch, customers can choose our drizzle frosting.”

Neely praises a great staff and lots of loyal customers.

“We couldn’t be successful without them,” she said.

“And it’s wonderful working with my sister and husband at a bakery, which is such a fun place to work.”

Ritchie said she loves meeting all of the guests who come in the store.

“A lady recently brought me a thank you card for cakes we did while her late dad was going through chemo, and I offered to share them with the chemo nurses,” Ritchie said.

“The lady said they all loved the cakes. I love helping people and sharing our cakes, making people smile. Another guest came in regularly when her daughter was expecting and now she brings in photos of the baby. Customers become our family, too.”

Neely said she considers her family to be in the gifting industry.

“We invite customers to let us bake for them toward what they need,” Neely said.

“Town & Country, near Chesterfield, is a good location for us; it is a very iconic area.”

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

21

Cupcakes Beyond Your Wildest Dreams ARTICLE MARY SHAPIRO | PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

T

he Cup offers everything from “sips” to “gulps” of special cupcakes, using made-from-scratch buttercream icing, other frostings and quality, tasty ingredients.

The Cup also offers cookies and Kaldi’s coffee at locations including 1590 Clarkson Road/ Suite 105, sandwiched between the Talbot’s and Chico’s stores, in Chesterfield.

Ericka Frank, owner of The Cup, said the business opened in 2007 at 28 Maryland Plaza in St. Louis’ Central West End, after its sister store, The Cakery, opened in 2005, in Dogtown, where it still operates. The Cup has a third location in Edwardsville, Ill. Frank admits The Cup is the fulfillment of a dream and the culmination of her life’s work.

Her love for baking started when she was 12, in her hometown of Memphis, Tenn., when she baked and decorated a birthday cake for her mom. Since then, Frank – who holds CONTINUED >

22

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

Frank admits The Cup is the fulfillment of a dream and the culmination of her life’s work. a master’s degree in dietetics – has delighted friends and families with her edible creations.

“I opened the Cakery to specialize in custom-designed cakes, cupcakes and cookies – it’s the custom order version of the Cup,” she said, adding that friend Nicole Puyear originally was her partner/co-owner in The Cup; in September of last year, Puyear decided to become a full-time stay-at-home mom.

“The Cup lets you get up to 2.5 dozen baked goods on the spot. We do some customization there but not as intricately as we do at the Cakery.”

She said The Cup focuses more on a variety of flavors of cupcakes that can be customized with colored sprinkles or candy discs.

Feature flavors carried one to two weeks of every month at The Cup include strawberries ’n’ cream, lemon drop, mocha cap-

THE CUP

1590 Clarkson Road Suite 105 Chesterfield, MO 63017 636.536.2287 CraveTheCup.com

puccino, grasshopper (chocolate cake with mint frosting), island dream (golden yellow cake with coconut frosting), and Italian cream.

There are also specials that run through various seasons of the year, like raspberry beret, carrot top, summer crush (orange cake with vanilla cream filling and orange buttercream frosting), and pumpkin harvest.

Limited edition cupcakes like banana cream pie, banilla (banana cake and vanilla frosting) , black forest, Boston crème pie and buckeye (peanut butter cake with frosting dipped in chocolate ganache, topped with peanut butter drizzle and chopped peanuts) are available at special times during the year.

The two February limited editions are the ruby (red velvet and strawberry swirled

cake topped with raspberry cream cheese frosting) and maple bacon (maple pecan cake using batter sprinkled with candied bacon, frosted with maple brown sugar frosting, topped with toasted pecans and a piece of candied bacon.

In addition, classic cupcakes are always on hand. They include confetti (French vanilla cake, vanilla buttercream frosting and multi colored sprinkles); tuxedo (dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting topped with Oreo crumbs and a mini Oreo); gold rush (golden yellow cake with chocolate buttercream frosting ); double chocolate (dark CONTINUED >

February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

23

THE CUP (CON TI N UED)

“We want our cupcakes to be the best version of what you imagine biting into a cupcake is like,” Frank said.

24

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream frosting and chocolate curls on top); peanut butter cup (dark chocolate cake with peanut butter buttercream frosting and Reese’s crumbles on top); red velvet (red velvet cake topped with cream cheese frosting); and cuppa coffee cake (cinnamon sour cream swirl cake with a sugar glaze drizzle).

Creating these delicious offerings for her customers is truly a delight and teaching The Cup’s team members the sweet art is very rewarding.

“I love sweets, and I truly love to watch people grow and learn,” Frank said.

“Watching the team members excel and learn new things is really satisfying to me – when they do something better than I can, it thrills me. It’s really satisfying for me to watch my love for decorating and making cupcakes so visible in them.”

The Chesterfield store opened about two years ago.

“We love the Chesterfield area,” Frank said.

“Ever since the first store opened in 2007, we’ve had many customers ask “when are you going to West County?” So we were answering their desire to have a location further out.”

Prices of cupcakes range from $2.95 for classics, featured flavors and seasonal flavors to $3.45 for the limited editions.

“People love cupcakes,” Frank said.

“One reason is that everybody can have their own particular flavor. If you have a birthday cake, people like it or don’t. With cupcakes, everybody can have something that they specifically want, so you’re able to please a large crowd.”

She describes her cupcakes as “classic home-style.”

“We want our cupcakes to be the best version of what you imagine biting into a cupcake is like,” Frank said.

For more information on the company, call 636.536.2287 for the Chesterfield location or visit the website CraveTheCup.com.

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Healthy Lifestyle

Debunking

MYTHS

• MYTH: LEG PAIN IS A NORMAL SYMPTOM WITH AGING ‒ IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH HEART DISEASE.

Fact: In some cases, leg pain can be an indicator of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD).

These are just some of the myths the general public (even some of my patients) believe until they receive correct information and education.

As mentioned, a common misconception is that only older adults can develop heart disease. Younger women should LEARN THE FACTS take note of this misconception. In a recent study published AND TAKE THEM TO HEART! in JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers found that young women who experience a heart attack or stroke could continARTICLE BEN MORRISON MD, ue to face an increased risk of death, or another heart attack ST. LUKE'S HOSPITIAL or stroke, long after their first event. Researchers found that PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED these younger women (about 40 years old on average) who had a heart attack had a death rate 3.7 times higher than hen someone hears the phrase “heart disease,” mishealthy women. Younger women who experienced a stroke conceptions often come to mind. The misconceptions had death rates that were 1.8 times higher. In addition, could be false claims we've encountered as we've grown older; younger women who've had a heart attack are 20-times more others may be rationalizations we present to ourselves in an likely to have a second one. attempt to hide from our own insecurities about our health.

Although these statistics are disturbing, women who have One important fact is clear ‒ heart disease is the leading had a heart attack or stroke can decrease their likelihood cause of death for both men and women. Each year around of becoming a statistic for a second time. They should con610,000 Americans die of heart disease, accounting for 1 out sult with their physician about effective strategies including of 4 deaths. The most common misunderstandings about heart weight management, increasing activity level, tobacco cessadisease have been around so long that many people take them tion programs and lowering their blood pressure, cholesterol to heart when they shouldn't. Let us clear the air by debunkand blood sugar levels. ing these myths: Men can also reduce their risk for heart attacks with a set of similar strategies as women. A recent study in the Journal of the • MYTH: ONLY OLDER PEOPLE CAN GET HEART DISEASE. American College of Cardiology found that men can significantFact: Younger people and middle age adults can develop ly reduce their risk for heart attacks by following five strateheart disease. gies: focusing on a healthy diet, exercising regularly, staying • MYTH: I DON'T HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE...I FEEL FINE. in shape, not using tobacco and limiting alcohol intake. This Fact: High blood pressure is known as the silent killer; without study estimated that 80 percent of heart attacks that occur in monitoring, most people don't know they have it. men are potentially preventable.

• MYTH: MY FAMILY HAS A HISTORY OF HEART DISEASE, SO Some of the findings were encouraging. For example, it THERE IS NOTHING I CAN DO ABOUT IT. found that men who quit using tobacco lowered their risk by Fact: Anyone, even those with a family history, can lower 36 percent, those who kept their waist size under 37 inches their risk of heart disease. lowered their risk by 12 percent, and men who ate vegetables, • MYTH: CHEST PAIN IS THE TELL-TALE SIGN I'M HAVING A fruits, fish, whole grains, nuts and low-fat dairy products lowHEART ATTACK. ered their risk by 18 percent.

Fact: Chest pain is only one possible symptom. Pain in the Those who would like to find out their heart healthy numarms, back, jaw, neck and shortness of breath can occur. bers can schedule a cholesterol and glucose screening at St. • MYTH: CHOLESTEROL IS SOMETHING THAT NEEDS TO BE Luke's Hospital. The consultation also includes blood presCHECKED WHEN I'M OLDER. sure and body composition measurement. Appointment is Fact: People should begin having their cholesterol checked required. Fee $20. To register, call 314.542.4848 or visit: StLukes-STL.com. beginning at age 20.

About Heart Disease

W

26

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

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Sold Properties

Recently SOLD Chesterfield Properties

Subdivision

Original List

Sold Price

%Sold/Orig

DOM

Bdrms

F/H Bath

Meadowbrook Farm

$324,900

$320,000

98%

7

4

2/1

Wellesley Place

$324,000

$322,000

99%

4

3

2

River Bend Estates

$369,000

$362,000

98%

6

3

2

Clarkson Woods

$375,000

$369,000

95%

25

4

3/1

Villages at Baxter Ridge

$372,500

$372,500

100%

7

5

3/1

Thousand Oaks

$399,900

$389,000

97%

14

3

3

Clarkson Woods South

$419,900

$416,000

99%

3

4

3/1

Villages at Baxter Ridge 11

$495,000

$495,000

100%

9

4

3/1

Somerset

$515,000

$512,000

99%

15

4

3/1

River Bend Estates

$550,000

$520,000

94%

61

5

3/1

Nooning Tree

$589,000

$558,000

95%

39

4

3/1

Stonebriar Two

$574,900

$574,900

100%

1

4

3/1

Seasons at Schoettler 1

$609,900

$580,000

95%

73

4

4/2

Nooning Tree 2

$699,900

$650,000

92%

23

4

3/2

Wilson Farm Estates

$675,000

$655,000

97%

27

5

3/2

Reserve at Chesterfield Vlg

$790,000

$710,000

90%

29

6

4/1

Brook Hill Estates

$789,900

$757,500

96%

27

4

5/1

Dunhill Farm

$850,000

$840,000

98%

10

4

3/2

Kingspointe

$1,290,000

$1,170,000

91%

79

5

4/2

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Lifestyle Calendar

February WEEKDAYS IN FEBRUARY & MARCH FROM 8:30AM-5:00PM

want during the two hour program. Toys allow the children to climb, bounce, pretend and just have fun. Children must be accompanied

ART EXHIBIT AT CITY HALL

by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door. $8 per child.

CHESTERFIELD CITY HALL

314.615.8328. StLouisCO.com.

The City of Chesterfield will be hosting an Art Exhibit at City Hall through March 31 from 8:30am to 5pm during weekdays and will

FEBRUARY 20

feature two-dimensional artwork, including paintings and photo-

ST. LUKE'S HOSPITAL DAY OF DANCE

graphs from established regional artists Mark Witzling, and Jeane

RITZ-CARLTON, ST. LOUIS

Vogel, as well as sculptures from Paul Bayer. FREE. 636.812.9500.

You are invited to join the largest dance party in St. Louis and

Chesterfield.MO.US

learn fun ways to stay healthy at the annual St. Luke’s Hospi-

FEBRUARY 5

tal Day of Dance, a national Spirit of Women event. Be a part of a heart-beating, feet-tapping, finger-snapping, song-singing,

CHESTERFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CASINO NIGHT

fun-loving, laughter-filled morning and get ready to power up to

WELLBRIDGE ATHLETIC CLUB & SPA

boogie down to Zumba, belly dancing and other fun dance fitness

It’s the Chesterfield Chanber's Fourth Annual Casino Night. Join

demonstrations. Bring your friends and enjoy a morning of dance,

guests for a night of food, drinks, and games. A portion of the

music, health screenings, health information, T ’ai Chi instruction

proceeds will benefit the USO of Missouri. $50 for one ticket,

and more. Register to win exciting prizes! FREE but registration is

$90 for two tickets. 636.532.3399. ChesterfieldMOChamber.com.

limited. 314.205.6706. StLukes-STL.com.

info@ChesterfieldMOChamber.com.

FEBRUARY 6 & 7, 10:00AM-3:00PM

FEBRUARY 20 ST. LOUIS CIVIC ORCHESTRA-PLAY LIKE A GIRL: CELEBRATING

HOT! HOT! HOT!

WOMEN IN MUSIC

THE SOPHIA M. SACHS BUTTERFLY HOUSE AT FAUST PARK

WILLIAM D. PURSER, DC, CENTER AT LOGAN UNIVERSITY

Shake off the cold weather blues and join in fun, tropical-themed,

The St. Louis Civic Orchestra, based in Chesterfield, will be perform-

kid-friendly activities, games and crafts that will make you go abso-

ing the WORLD PREMIER of "Regal Themes" by composer Stephanie

lutely buggy. Enjoy live steel drum music, a toddler sandbox and face

Berg and commissioned by Jeanne Sienquefield. Cello Concerto in

painting. For children ages 3 to 8 with their families. Included with

E Minor by Edward Elgar featuring Principal April Dannelly-Schenck

Butterfly House admission. FREE for Garden Members. 314.577.5100.

and Symphony in E-Minor, Op. 32 “Gaelic Symphony” by Amy Beach

ButterflyHouse.org.

will also be performed. The SLCO is comprised of 75 professional

FEBRUARY 17 STORIES WITH AUNT PEGGY FAUST PARK

and amateur musicians devoted to their music. Adults: $18, Seniors (55+) and Students: $12, Children (5 and under): FREE. STLCO.com.

StLouisCivicOrchestra@gmail.com.

Come listen to original stories of Aunt Peggy, complete with puppets

FEBRUARY 25

and toys to make the stories come alive. Finish the story hour off

ART TOUR OF CHESTERFIELD CITY HALL

by riding the carousel. Call 314.615.8345 for more information. $5 per

CHESTERFIELD CITY HALL

child. 314.615.8328. StLouisCO.com.

Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the latest art exhibit at City Hall.

FEBRUARY 18

The exhibit’s curator, Sukanya Mani, City Art Coordinator, will give a history of the artist and provide context plus an artist’s perspec-

ST. LOUIS CAROUSEL PLAY & RIDE

tive on each piece. Please register by calling 314.862.4869. FREE.

CAROUSEL AT FAUST PARK

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Bring your child to the St Louis Carousel for a fun time! Children can go from our play room to our carousel as many times as they

30

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

all you neeD is loVe

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• Three course prix fixe dinner

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31

business directory AUTOMOTIVE St Louis Motorcars (636) 449-0000 stlmotorcars.com

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ORGANIZATIONS Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce (636) 532-3399 chesterfieldmochamber.com

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS Chesterfield Valley Dental (636) 537-5240 chesterfieldvalleydental.com

Innovative Dental of St Louis (636) 778-3355 InnovativeDentalofStLouis.com

ENTERTAINMENT & RECREATION A2Z Selfie Company (636) 284-8282 a2zselfiecompany.com

Guitar Lessons and Gigs/ Mason Gervich (314) 681-6989 guitarsbymason@gmail.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS ATA Academy- Chesterfield (636) 532-4282 stlata.com Chesterfield Jazzercise Fitness Center (636) 552-9910 jazzercise.com

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS Dau Home Furnishings (636) 394-3005 daufurniture.com

Directions in Design Inc (314) 205-2010 directionsindesign.com

Coldwell Banker GundakerDana Gundaker-Devers (636) 394-9300 cbgundakerhomes.com Kays-Anderson Realty LLC (314) 775-2050 ChooseKim.com

Elements MassageChesterfield (314) 594-1111 elementsmassage.com/chesterfield

HOME SERVICES

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE

Medi-Weightloss Clinics (636) 536-9679 mediweightloss.com

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES

SENIOR LIVING & SERVICES

St Luke’s Hospital (314) 434-1500 stlukes-stl.com

SPECIALTY SHOPS

SSM Physical Therapy (636) 536-3783 ssmphysicaltherapy.com

The J (314) 432-5700 jccstl.org

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS

Henry Plumbing Kitchen & Bath Galleries (636) 532-3303 henryplumbing.com The Scobis Company (636) 537-2494 scobiscompany.com

Storage Masters (636) 536-7867 storagemasters.net

Balaban’s (636) 449-6700 balabanswine.com

Friendship Village (636) 733-0238 fvchesterfield.com Novak Jewelers (636) 227-7225 novakjewelers.com

PROPERTY & REAL ESTATE

AMG Corporate Offices (636) 532-1900 amgcorporateoffices.com Cathy Shaw-Connely (636) 346-4960 shawrealtors.com

Old House in Hog Hollow (314) 469-1019 oldhouseinhoghollow.com

TRAVEL & LEISURE Travel Leaders (636) 778-1081 travelleaders.com/stlouismo

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Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

• 12 pm – 4 pm Sunday

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st Positioning guide Chesterfield Drag default address box o˜. for address boxes.314.594.1111 Edit selected address box.

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133 Hilltown Village Center This box will not appear on Village Position using this Hilltown your ˚nal elementsmassage.com/chesterfield document. box as a guide.

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Massage session includes time for consultation and dressing. The Elements Promise™ is not transferable and may not be redeemed for cash, bartered or sold. Not valid for discounted services and cannot be combined with any other offer. Other restrictions may apply; see studio for details. Each Elements Massage™ studio is independently owned and operated.

CHESTERFIELD JAZZERCISE FITNESS CENTER 13399 OLIVE BLVD.  636-552-9910  JAZZERCISE.COM View our class schedule at JAZZERCISE.COM/FINDACLASS February 2016 | Chesterfield Lifestyle

33

Parting Thoughts

Sweets for the

SWEET THE EVOLUTION OF VALENTINE'S DAY

WORDS LIBBY MULLEN

B

etween the middle ages and the industrial era, St. Valentine’s feast day, celebrated on February 14, was one of several feast days that offered a break from the grind of work. The celebration activities were playful, humorous and perhaps even a little irreverent. Unmarried village men and women played fortune-telling games to divine their future mates; one such game involved dropping names into a box and drawing out the name of your “valentine,” or the person fate was disposed to match with you. Songs were sung and small gifts were exchanged.

In northern England, children might “go Valentining,” or parade around from door to door while singing and asking for treats—similar to modern Halloween practices—sans the costumes. Among nobility and the wealthy merchants that were permitted to move among their circles, Valentine’s Day became another excuse for the purchase of prestigious gifts like jewels and silks.

If these sound like strange pastimes for a holiday in commemoration of a saint’s martyrdom, that may be because there isn’t really a documented connection between the holiday and any of the various Saint Valentines. It’s probably the springtime St. Valentine that Chaucer had in mind when he wrote “The Parliament of Fowls,” the first written link between St. Valentine and romantic love. According to Chaucer, birds choose their mates on St. Valentine’s Day; it’s possible that this idea was already prevalent in oral culture at the time, but it could easily have been a literary invention that eventually inspired the equally invented stories of St. Valentine’s heroic efforts to perform weddings for Roman soldiers.

By the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, St. Valentine’s Day was more closely linked to the increasingly popular idea of romantic love. With the mass production of printed materials on the rise, people of all means could purchase or make and send “valentines”—now meaning a holiday card, rather than a person—to the objects of their affections. These cards often featured elaborate cutwork lace, ribbons and trimmings, or etchings of birds, butterflies and flowers. Valentines were often sent anonymously, permitting greater mystery and playfulness. The classic rhyming poems and riddles were just as well-suited to ridicule as to romance.

As adults, we might indulge in more elaborate or elegant confections for our loved ones. Strawberries dipped in chocolate or velvety enrobed ganaches, perhaps presented in a heart-shaped box. Surely these are classic Valentine’s treats?

Compared to printed materials, which were mass-producible from the sixteenth century on, sugar and chocolate refinement is a relatively 34

Chesterfield Lifestyle | February 2016

new addition to the holiday. International competition for capital from sugar and other tropical crops (coffee, tea, cacao) pushed forward the technology to mass-produce these luxury goods in the eighteenth century; even then, the world didn’t catch up to the idea of making “luxury” available to the masses until the growing nineteenth-century middle class increased the demand for goods that were purely pleasure.

Candy actually entered into Valentine’s Day traditions by way of the print culture; the sweet valentines that caught on were the candies that incorporated pictures or wordplay. In the mid-1800s, Richard Cadbury, an artist as well as heir to the blooming Cadbury chocolate enterprise, began producing keepsake chocolate boxes with designs that echoed the popular sentimental images of Victorian valentines, namely: kittens, cupids and flowers. It was the fancy packaging of chocolates in a heart-shaped box, more than the contents that brought them into keeping with the Valentine spirit. It was considered just as appropriate to gift chocolates to a child as to a sweetheart, both of whom would have enjoyed the candies and kept the pretty boxes for trinkets.

In the same period, the New England Confectionary Company (Necco) devised a means to stamp clever words onto large sugar-wafer candies shaped as postcards. It wasn’t until the twentieth century that they figured out how to shrink the candies and the messages down to the little Necco Sweethearts we’re familiar with today. Short messages, which range from the classic Valentine “Be Mine” to contemporary sarcasms such as “Yeah, Right,” appropriately capture the playful sentiments that have always characterized the holiday. It wasn’t until the mid-twentieth century that other candy brands got on board, producing special flavors or colors of candy just in time to be distributed among friends, family, classrooms and couples for Valentine’s Day. Candy can invoke memories of childhood innocence, sweet indulgence or even mischief. Perhaps that’s why sweets, when they became more available and versatile, became so deeply entrenched in present-day Valentine customs. No one really knows how the traditions started, or why they continue to evolve; throughout this convoluted history, the recurring themes seem to be similar to those of the historical carnival holiday. The day had always been celebrated with gift exchanges and activities among friends and family; it was as much about mischief as match-making--as much “razzing” as romance-- and above all, a respite of fun and pleasure in the middle of the cold, cold winter.

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