Museum Looking for Antique Candy Items
The Sloan Museum in Flint, MI currently has a display about the history of candy in the Flint area. They are in need of some antique molds, equipment, packaging etc. for display. If anyone has items they would consider loaning them (with proper recognition) please have them contact Carol Schuler, Sweet Variations in Fenton, Michigan at sweetvariations@gmail.com  Carol's store is already part of the display as an interactive  exhibit showing how candy makers make chocolate. The display will run through the year and the museum would like to change and update it periodically.

RCI extends its sympathies to the Zanetos family
Our sympathies go out to Carol and Joe Zanetos of Anthony-Thomas Candy Company for the loss of Joe's mom, Agnes Zanetos on Saturday, May 15th, she was 89 years old. There will be a showing on Monday, May 17th from 4:00 - 8:00pm at the John Quint Treboni Funeral Home located at 1177 W. Fifth Ave., Columbus, Ohio 43232. The funeral service will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral at 555 N. High Street on Tuesday, May 18th, at 11:00am with a luncheon following the service. For complete obituary go to dispatch.com/obituaries. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Greek Orthodox Cathedral. 

RCI extends its sympathies to the Coblentz family

RCI would like to extend our sympathies to Jason Coblentz and family on the loss of his father Benjamin J. Coblentz on April 19th, 2010. Visitation will be held on April 21st from 2-4 and from 6-8 at the Messiah Fellowship Church in Millersburg, OH. The funeral will be held at 10am on April 22nd at the Messiah Fellowship Church at 5237 State Road 557 , Millersburg, OH  44654.

RCI Mourns the Loss of Longtime Colleague
Robert J. Burke Jr., 85, of Lincolnshire formerly of Glenview, IL, born into eternal life on Holy Thursday April 1, 2010 surrounded by his family. He was born and raised in Chicago and  graduated from Mt. Carmel HS.  He attended Loyola University. He was a WWII veteran of the Merchant Marines. Mr. Burke was the former owner of Burke Products Company for over 50 yrs after his father started the business in 1929.  He was actively involved in the candy industry. Member of Candy Production Club of Chicago, Retail Confectioners International, National Candy Association and American Association Candy Technologists. His beloved wife of 55 years Elizabeth Burke passed away in 2004. Robert was cherished father of Robert III (Susan), Elizabeth  (Michael) Smith, John Martin, Timothy (Julia), Patrick  (Patricia) and Mary  (Mark) Walther; dear grandfather of Benjamin and Claire Burke, Megan Smith and Maureen  (Jeff) Willson, Peter, Catherine and Edward Burke, Patrick, Colleen, Andrew, Margaret and Daniel Burke, Brian and Erin Walther; great-grandfather of Finn  Willson. Visitation: Thursday, April 8 from 10 a.m. until time of Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 991 S. Waukegan Rd. Lake Forest. Interment : All Saints Cemetery. In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Joseph Institute for the Deaf, 1809 Clarkson Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63017-5065, or a charity of your choice. Funeral info, 847-998-1020. Sign Guestbook at chicagotribune.com/obituaries.

2010 Candy Hall of Fame Inductees Announced

The Candy Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of industry leaders drawn from across the world. Each year, up to 12 inductees are selected for the NCSA Hall of Fame from numerous nominations of candy brokers, sales personnel, manufacturers, retail buyers, wholesalers, industry suppliers, retail confectioners and others allied to the industry. This year the honorees are: Robert Bandel, Mars Chocolate North America (Retired); Cornelis Boon, BENEO-Palatinit, Inc.; Russell Crosio, Crosio & Associates, Inc.; Patricia Green, The Chocolate Tree, Inc.; Reginald Groves, Groves & Co.; Gary Guittard, Guittard Chocolate Co.; Frederick Hintlian, Varick Enterprises, Inc.; Pat Magee, PMagee Enterprises; Eric Ostrow, Ce De Candy, Inc.; Tom Pagano, Ferrara Pan Candy Co., Inc.; Edward Seguine, Mars Chocolate North America and Thomas Zucca, L.J. Zucca, Inc. These twelve candy business professionals will be honored with induction into the Candy Hall of Fame in Tampa, FL on October 23, 2010. For more information about the event go to: http://www.candyhalloffame.org

Sanders Candy Featured on CNN Money Small Business Segment
Sanders Candy on CNN

Top 10 Food Trends of 2010
The Food Channel presents its Top Ten Food Trends for 2010. The list is based on research conducted by the Food Channel in conjunction with CultureWaves and the International Food Futurists.
2010 Food Trends article
The Food Channel has also announced the Top Ten Foods of the Decade and the Top Ten Flavors of the Decade
Top Foods & Flavors of the Decade

RCI Member Chocovision Corporation Teaches the Staff of Carlo's Bakery How to Use Their Tempering Machines
Longtime RCI members and chocolate experts, Joe and Mary Crevino, had an extra sweet Valentine's week this year. They were given the opportunity to teach Buddy Valastro and the staff of Carlo's City Hall Bake Shop, site of The Cake Boss on the TLC Network, in Hoboken, New Jersey. They brought chocolate tempering machines and chocolate in the back door of the bakery and taught the crew how to make chocolate covered strawberries just in time for Valentine's Day.


RCI Family Members Experience Loss of Loved Ones

Our deepest sympathies are extended to the Sarris family for the loss of founder and owner of Sarris Candies, Frank Sarris, a member of RCI since 1963. He passed away in his home Monday evening, March 1, 2010. Mr. Sarris, the son of Greek immigrants, started his chocolate enterprise with a single store in Canonsburg; it has since grown to be a large regional candy company. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Sarris family.

Our deepest sympathies  are extended to Mike Koch of Morley Brands LLC and 1st Vice President of RCI, and his entire family on the loss of his brother James Robert Koch. He lost his battle with cancer on February 10, 2010. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Koch family.

Our deepest sympathies are extended to Henry Blommer of Blommer Chocolate and his entire family at the loss of his brother, Joseph Blommer, president an CEO. He lost his battle with brain cancer on January 20, 2010. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Blommer Family.

CONGRATULATIONS!
The RCI family would like to Congratulate Jessica Dermer of Sweet Packaging, on the birth of her daughter Bria Haley Meyer. Bria was born January 30th, weighing in at 4lbs 15oz and 18.5 inches long. Congratulations Jessica and welcome Bria to the RCI family!

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Kettle Talk is Online Anytime
Kettle Talk is available online anytime. The issues of Kettle Talk  can be found on the member side of the website. Click on the Kettle Talk tab and click on the issue you wish to read.

Candy Hall of Fame
The Candy Hall of Fame recognizes the achievements of industry leaders drawn from across the world. Each year, up to 12 inductees are selected for the NCSA Hall of Fame from numerous nominations of candy brokers, sales personnel, manufactures, retail buyers, wholesalers, industry suppliers, retail confectioners and others allied to the industry. This year our own Pat Green from The Chocolate Tree in Beaufort, SC, is being inducted in October. Please join me in congratulating Pat for her award and achievement! Pat my be contacted at choctree@islc.net 
For more information about the event go to http://www.candyhalloffame.org/CHoF/event/2010/ 

Members Only Side of the RCI Website Offers More Resources to Members

Members Only - Please login to members login, to gain access to the bulletin board (the bulletin board tab can only be viewed once you log in as a member). Here you'll be able to view and print the latest information we have sent to you via the U.S. mail, plus more exciting information to come. If you have trouble logging in, please contact the RCI office and ask for Kim, she would be happy to assist you at 417-883-2775 or 800-545-5381.