Do You Have to Sneeze or Are You Doing Your Laundry

I had two important goals as a young girl. I was going to be either one of Charlie’s Angels or Bewitched’s Samantha Stephens. I spent hours working on my silhouetted angels’ pose and my nose twitch. I’m still pretty good at both, if I do say so myself.

Imagine being Samantha Stephens. Your housework, cooking, and childcare all done at the expense of a little nasal irritation. Sure, your mother and neighbors are a little annoying, but whose aren’t? Top that off with the fact that you get to change husbands without a messy divorce proceeding. As long as you keep calling him Darrin, no one will even notice!

Bring out your inner Samantha at the Witchy Women’s Celebration at Van Otis Chocolates’ Elm Street, Manchester retail store on October 22 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Costumes aren’t required to attend the event, but there will be a $50 prize awarded for the best costume. There will also be wine tasting hosted by Zorvino Vineyards, chocolate fountains, giveaways, and raffles. Kids’ games will also be available because unlike Samantha, we can’t all leave our Tabithas unattended upstairs.

Dodranscentennial

A 75-year commitment to anything is quite a feat, especially a long-term relationship. It’s no wonder that the traditional U.S. wedding anniversary gift list suggests diamonds for anniversaries 60th through 75th. I’m a little confused by the 80th and 90th suggestions of oak and granite, but I wasn’t consulted when they made the list.

I scanned the list for chocolate and candy but didn’t find anything on either the traditional or modern U.S. lists. I’m assuming that it’s either implied - Happy 6th Anniversary, here’s your gift of iron and chocolate truffles - or alas, maybe it was an oversight. Again, it’s unfortunate that I wasn’t consulted.

This year Van Otis is celebrating a 75-year relationship with its better half, its customers. In appreciation of this successful partnership, Van Otis is showering its customers with a “75 Days of Chocolate” promotion to include give-aways, discounts, and much more. The promotion began in August and will continue through November. For upcoming promotions and events join the Van Otis email club or "like" them on facebook.

Happy Anniversary!

Happy Birthday, Van Otis

Van Otis Chocolates originated in 1935 and for 75 years, devoted patrons have frequented the shop for familiar favorites and contemporary creations.

The shop proudly embraces its roots which trace back to Evangeline Hasiotis, the daughter of a Greek-immigrant pastry chef. Seventy-five years ago, Evangeline introduced her chocolates in the family’s pastry shop and later opened her own shop in the early 1950s. The shop quickly developed a local reputation for being the place to go for quality chocolates, including Van Otis Swiss Fudge, which remains the company’s signature product today.

Today, Van Otis Chocolates resides at 341 Elm Street in Manchester, New Hampshire and continues to carry on the traditions started by Evangeline, while embarking on new initiatives with innovative new products to further enhance the company’s reputation as a premier maker of fine chocolates and candies. The company prides itself as having “A Fresh Twist on Sweet Traditions”, offering its customers quality confections that can only be found in handmade products. These products are readily accessible at the Elm Street retail store, on the web at http://www.vanotis.com/ and in select stores throughout New Hampshire and other New England locations.

Van Otis is celebrating this milestone birthday and our loyal customers with a promotion called "75 Days of Chocolate". Van Otis is offering daily, weekly, and monthly specials including give-aways, product discounts, and much more. Stop by the shop, visit the website www.vanotis.com or "like" us on Facebook and join the party!

Since 1935, Van Otis Chocolates has been manufacturing and selling handcrafted premium chocolates and other fine candies. The Manchester-based 20,000 square foot facility houses a candy kitchen, retail store, and the newest addition, The Sweet Spot.

Partying Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Style

A luau is a Hawaiian feast featuring lots of food and typically, musical entertainment. Many of us in New England have attempted our version of this island celebration with plastic leis, inflatable palm trees, and faux-bamboo tiki torches. I mentioned we’re in New England, right?

We may be short of Pacific breezes, but we do know how to feast. No luau would be complete without the flavors of coconut, tropical fruits, nuts, coffee, and chocolate…even better, a combination of these flavors.

For a limited time, Van Otis Chocolates is offering Tropical Swiss Fudge covered in milk and dark chocolate. This is a staff favorite that tastes like chocolate and rich coconut. What a perfect treat for a luau or a mental-island getaway!

Van Otis is hosting a luau on Friday, June 25 from 11 am-6 pm and Saturday, June 26 from 10 am-3 pm. Join us for hourly giveaways and raffles, wine tasting, a chocolate volcano, coloring contest, and prescheduled factory tours. Most items will be offered at buy one get one free. It’s the biggest sale of the year, so come in and stock up!