Dear Glee Gum…

Letters that begin this way nearly always have something sweet to say. This latest included photos too. So dear were they, I thought I’d share them with you!

Lori M. of Pennsylvania heard about our Make Your Own Candy Kits in an email from Suzanne B., the columnist of DearReader.com. Suzanne tried the Candy Kits with a visiting grand-daughter, and here’s what she reported:

So Lori felt inspired to give them a try too! She writes:

… As we were going camping with our grand-daughters in less than two weeks, I rushed home from work and checked out your website.  You see, both of the girls LOVE gum – all kinds – bubble, chewing, sticks, powders, squares, sweet, sour, minty, fruity… you name it, they’ll chew it.  I bought your  ’Make Your Own Chewing Gum’ kit and waited with crossed fingers that it would arrive in time.  Amazingly, I had it in my hands in less than a week! 

This past weekend, we went camping and each night we had a special treat – shake-a-pudding night, S’mores night, ice cream night and, saving the best for last, chewing gum-making night.  The directions scared me at first, it seemed like there were lots of ways for me to mess up this experience, but it was very simple to make – even in the close confines of our 24-year-old RV.  We started by reading the story of Eduardo and his tapping of the trees in the rainforest and ended with some great chewing gum that the girls were really proud to have made!  They even saved some of it to bring home and share with family!  Not only was it fun- but it gave them a ‘hidden’ lesson in science, math, social studies and ‘being green’.  I’m attaching pictures to show you just how much they enjoyed their experience.

Lori's grand-daughters, aged 6 and 3, kneading gum with their dad

Zowie and Rylie, looking Glee-ful!

We just wanted to thank Glee for giving us the ingredients to make the gum and for helping us to environmentally enlighten our granddaughters.  Also, thanks to Suzanne at Dear Reader for introducing us to you!  We’re looking forward to making gummy bears on our next adventure!

- Lori M.

Gum chums, please feel free to take Lori’s lead. Send me something delightful to read! In the meantime, I’ll sign off. (To go check my  inbox, *cough cough*!)

In search of free Glee? Hey, who wouldn’t be?

Well, look no further, gum chums of mine! I know of TWO Glee giveaways. How divine!

For info on the first, stop by the fabulous Rita A.’s blog, “One 2 Try.” But hurry, hurry! I’ll tell you why. The deadline is Aug 22nd at 9:00 PM PT, no lie!

For info on the second, visit the lovely Lena’s blog, “Over Coffee- the Green Edition.” More chances to chew free Glee– just what you were wishin’! But again I must say, don’t delay. The Aug 23rd deadline only buys you one more day!

Does my rhyming seem a touch askew? If true, this fact may be due to the fact that it’s awful warm here, with cool breezes few. What’s a giant-headed gum mascot to do? Wait, I know. I’ll find a bit of refreshing Spearmint Glee to chew. Cheerio, toodle-oo!

Hear ye, hear ye, gum chums.

It’s good to be king, as we all know. But it’s even better to be a green one! 

Check out this swell article by Vanessa Kerr on Grist.org: “10 Green Royals.”

It may just renew your faith in the ruling class!

For example, didja know that Queen Elizabeth II of England planted a chemical-free vegetable garden on the grounds of Buckingham Palace and installed a mini hydroelectric power plant for Windsor Castle? Say wha-? ‘Tis true!

And didja hear how the U.N. Environment Program named Prince Hassan Bin Talal of Jordan the 2007 Champion of the Earth (!!) for his efforts on behalf of renewable energy and conservation?

You can read all about them, and the work of other titled environmental advocates, right here. And thanks to Vanessa Kerr for reminding me that it’s not all cream puffs and silver spoons at the top. There’s room for green do-gooding too!

Greetings, candy comrades!

I know I’ve been remiss in writing. But in my defense, it’s REALLY HARD to type while jumping for joy!

Apparently, nobody else on the Internet shares this problem. They’re all busily typing up a storm!

Here is a small selection of recent clips, posts and news articles on my favorite subject… GLEE! 

“Sweet Old World,” Katharine Weber’s July 14 article in Tablet Magazine, explores the origins of American candy- including Glee, yippee! 

Stuck on an idea for a new Glee Gum slogan, like me? Check out Over Coffee – the Green Edition. Blogger Lena’s son came up with a good one!

Meanwhile, our friend Jennifer Mathews’ book, Chicle, keeps getting great press. On NPR.org, you can read an interview with the author and a book excerpt !

Expectant moms with morning sickness may find this post at Naptime Writing familiar, helpful – or at least good for a giggle. Who knew gum could help the tum?

Speaking of moms, check out what Green & Clean Mom keeps in her eco-chic handbag. It’s the same sweet stuff recommended by the fine folks at Blog O’ USA , Living Healthy in the Real World, and Wellsphere’s Celiac Disease Community.  

Not to be out-done, the Candy Kits get a shout-out too. Thanks to Beth Kimmerle’s Candymonium for this fun post following New York’s Fancy Food Show. 

Have a great weekend, gum chums, and happy reading!