02/16/2026
February 15th was National Gumdrop Day and our employees had fun with guessing how many gumdrops were in a container. With 268 gumdrops in the container, Melissa won with a guess of 234. Coming in second was Tonya with a guess of 224 and McKenzy and Mylee tied for third with a guess of 167.
Here is a little gumdrop history that we learned. Gumdrops, the sugar-coated, dome-shaped gelatin candies, originated in the early 19th-century United States, with references dating back to around 1801, though the term was first printed in 1859. Originally, they were spice-flavored with a firm texture, evolving into modern, softer treats in 1915 thanks to Ohio confectioner Percy Truesdell. Truesdell took the once hard, poorly flavored glob of sugar and turned it into the smooth, chewy delight we enjoy today. While at the University of Ohio, the chemist altered the consistency of the candy by experimenting with the amount of starch used. He later worked for the Snyder-Chafee Company until 1915. In 1916, Truesdell founded and incorporated the P.S. Truesdell Candy Manufacturing Company. At his death, he became known as the Gumdrop King.
