Candy Girl

1980s Candy

My girls like candy
A candy treat
She knocks me right up off my feet
She’s so fine as can be
I know this girl was meant for me

Candy girl
You are my world
Look so sweet
You’re a special treat

I was born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia. Faithfully, everyday at 4:30 and again around 10:00 p.m. in the spring and summer time, we would hear the ringing sounds of the Fountain Fair truck being driven by “Big Al”. Al’s truck was a light mint green in color, which I often associated with the mint chocolate chip ice cream cone – or milkshake - I’d always buy. As soon as I heard that familiar “ring”, and saw that green shadow making its’ way on our block, I would dig my greedy hands into my grandfather’s glass change jar. You could actually hear the “clink” outside through the front screen door as I placed the lid back on before exiting. “Big Al” used to tease me about this all the time. He’d say, “Here comes Jennifer with grandpaw’s change,” in his ever so strong New Yawk accent. My “PopPop” conveniently kept this by little pot of silver by the front door, filled to the top with quarters, for his first grandchild.

Jingling and jangling every step of the way, to the sound of what was probably 30 quarters in my pockets, I would finally reach my destination - that heavenly truck of saccharine!

Hmmmmm, what would I get today? I’d begin to perspire in my HEAVEN sweatshirt, as I stared up at the truck. I knew the options and could see them in my sleep, but still continued to study that menu all the time. Alexander the Grape? Nah, my tongue always got so blue. Or maybe it would match my sweatshirt? I could always opt for Lemon Heads. I loved when they would turn white, where I’d make my final bite into that little sour head. As long as you got through the yellow sourness, you were good to go. Johnny Apple Treats were also a favorite. Cherry Clan? I remember thinking the little Chinese man on the box was really creepy and scary looking, so Cherry Clans were often a no for me. There was another watermelon flavor in this bitter category, but I just cannot seem to place the name. They were softer, more jelly like in the middle, and they were so good. I think the box was green with a little watermelon man on the front. I can smell them now as I think about it.

Indian Brand Salted Pumpkin Seeds I would always opt for, it we were sitting watching a baseball game around the corner at the field. They were a good snack that lasted long. However, after about 15 of them, I would usually make myself sick. DAVID Sunflower Seeds were also a good selection, but I could eat a million of those.

Fun Dip? Razzles? Jolly Rancher Sticks? I remember when Razzles first came out. You would give someone a piece and they thought it was just a candy like a Bottlecap. Then, ABRACADABRA – it turned into gum! How cool were they? Just about as cool as Pop Rocks candy. But remember – you could NEVER drink those with soda, or your tummy would blow up like Mikey from LIFE cereal!

I have a hilarious story about those Jolly Rancher Sticks. My best friend, John, once got one stuck in his molars. I watched as he desperately fought with that sticky concoction, his mouth twisting and turning in ways I’d never thought possible. When he finally managed to free that gluey bar from his mouth, some of the molars decided to come along for the trip. Hilarious ~ yes! There were two teeth stuck to that pink, sugary, harder-than-steel taffy. Easy to tell Mom? No!

I am not sure how much advertising Phillip Morris got back then with children, but it had to be a lot. With Candy Cigarettes, Bubble Gum Cigarettes (where you’d actually puff and white powder came out), and Bubble Gum Cigars – I am sure they could not go wrong. Cigarettes were COOL as candy! My, how things have changed! Before I quit, I was getting carded at age 33! Back then, I was buying cigarettes for my mother at 6!

Also on my list of favorites were Hot Dog Gum, Candy Lipsticks, Atomic Fireballs, Chico-Stix, Swedish Fish, Now and Laters, Boston Baked Beans, Pixy Stix, Runts, wax candy tubes filled with a questionable sugary juice, Jawbreakers, etc. From what my mother told me, I never really ate Jawbreakers because I really thought they broke your jaw and could never understand why anyone would even dare put these to their lips. All I know is that they made my mother a nervous wreck. I’m still scared of any similar candy to this day.

A few weeks ago, my husband came home with Sixtlets which he had just found in a dollar store. They looked like they were probably still from 1980, which is why I instantaneously declined when he offered me some. The very sight of them took me back to hot summer days, baseball games, running under the fire plug, and hearing “Big Al’s” bell. They were like shameful M&Ms.

It’s funny how we get older and certain tastes and smells remind us of our childhood. I know I will always have this with me. Some of these candies still do exist, but they will always remind me of the 1980s. If I bite into a Lemon Head now, which is very rare but does tend to happen every Now and Later, excuse the pun – that sour taste takes me back to about 1984 when I was just old enough to access PopPop’s change jar by myself and cross the street. It was a time where I remember new candies coming out. Today, you just don’t see that anymore – or at least I don’t. Maybe it’s because I am no longer eight years old and candy is not a priority. Or maybe it’s because the 80s were just that authentic and nothing will ever be as cool…