IT’S ROADSIDE ATTRACTION WEDNESDAY

So dear readers (all three of you), who said this: "The value of our good is not measured by what it does, but by the amount of good it does to the one concerned." Of course it was Milton Hershey!

Generally in the summertime, we venture out on Wednesdays, we have no real reason to pick Wednesday as our big day out, it just happens that Mama generally has this day off and well, nothing ever happens unless it is written on a calendar, right? So, as it happens the kiddies and I spent the afternoon today visiting the new Museum in Chocolate Town U.S.A., aptly named, THE HERSHEY STORY.

Let’s be honest, even if you don’t happen to live 15 minutes away, you have to appreciate Hershey as a pretty distinctly flavored chocolate. Even if you are a chocolate snob that will only partake in 73% cocoa confections and only for the antioxidants, you can still fathom the wherewithal, the gumption, the sheer tenacity to succeed in business. The business of candy, no less. The kicker? What does Milton Hershey do with his money? OPEN A SCHOOL FOR ORPHAN BOYS. Kittens, I don’t care what kind of cynic you are, the man is worth your time.

The new museum has a some really fun interactive exhibits, loads of antiques, films to watch and of course a lovely little café. It also offers a free shuttle to Chocolate World every 15 minutes. If you have never been to Chocolate World, it shares a parking lot with Hershey Park, so the shuttle is a swell idea. We are suckers for the free educational tour with the candy happy ending. Our tradition usually ends in the salon with their “Milkshake of the Day”, today’s was chocolate-peanut butter, $4.25 in a souvenir cup. If you are not a milkshake person, there are choices galore for food, drinks, and souvenirs, as well as other activities like The 3D movie, the Trolley Tour of town (AWESOME) and the chocolate factory where you create your own candy bar and wrapper.

Today’s partner in crime was my girl Heidi, whose company I much enjoy and not just because her knees keep her pace as torturously slow as my bad hip. Joyously the children didn’t mind the boondoggle ‘rents. So captivated by the exhibits where they could design factory machines, candy packaging, and newspapers were they.

Do yourself a favor my doves, if you venture out, check the CHOCOLATE WORLD website first for coupons, as we scored buy 1 get 1 free milkshakes and $1off museum admission. Making an affordable day out, downright cheap.