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The $95 Tootsie Roll
If it happens one time, it might be called an accident or a coincidence and you can feel confident that it will never happen again. But if it happens a second time it might be something more -- maybe a conspiracy or a movement or a revolution or a planned event!
I write this blog as a warning to my friends and neighbors, lest this happen to you, if it hasn't already!
Last year at this time, mid-October, Halloween time, I noticed several businesses offering free candy to customers. You know, by the door or cash register, little penny-candy types of things like bubble gum, Hershey's kisses, Kraft caramels and Tootsie Rolls. Ah, irresistable Tootsie Rolls. Since I was a kid I couldn't resist those little babies. What in the world are they made of?
Did you know these little tasty treats have been around since 1896? They were made by a guy named Leo Hirshfield in New York City. 62 million Tootsie Rolls are made every day. And almost as many are eaten. But it only takes one, as I've found out, to cost me a bundle.
Last year as I was leaving Charter Communications, following my weekly stop to sign up videotapes for the public-access channel, I noticed a bowl of candy. I saw some Tootsie Rolls smiling at me, and felt I deserved a treat, so I grabbed two. As I hopped into my car and put it in reverse, I unwrapped a little treat and tossed it into my mouth. The chocolate taste made me smile. My first bite made me frown. Chewing the Tootsie Roll with my bottom right molar I heard and felt a crunching sound.
I knew what had happened. This tasty chewy treat had pulled one of my fillings right out of its socket. I angrily threw the Tootsie Roll into my litter bag and headed for the telephone to call my friendly dentist. Days later my tooth was back in order, but my budget wasn't. This one bite of Tootsie Roll had cost me $95.
I stayed away from those sweet Tootsie Rolls for a year ... until last weekend. As I watched the Plattsburgh High School Homecoming Day parade I waved to former students who were perched on their class floats. Suddenly a wave of candy came my way. I don't know what class threw the candy at me, but I stuck out my hand and while the lollipops, gum and Hershey's kisses went one way, a Tootsie Roll landed smack dab in the middle of my right hand.
In a moment of weakness, forgetting my lessons of the past, I unwrapped this little Tootsie Roll and popped it into my mouth. And it happened again. Crunch, grind, ouch ... the filling was pulled out of the same socket as last year.
Thanks to this one fateful Tootsie Roll I now have an appointment next week to get my tooth repaired and pay my friendly dentist another $95. Two Tootsie Rolls. $190.
This has me thinking! Are local dentists paying local businesses to pass out free Tootsie Rolls to the retired gentlemen of our city? Is there some nationwide conspiracy going on here? Is this a topic for NBC Dateline? Am I the only one to be taken in by the Tootsie Roll scam?
Just a warning! Be careful of free candy offers around our city. Do we really know who put that candy there? Do you really want to eat that Tootsie Roll?
Comments
Haha, this is funny.... and I can imagine your face.... if only this wasn't live on The local station.... Maybe next time *knock on wood*
*ANGELA*
Posted by: Angela | November 8, 2006 2:05 PM
Not sure what URL and HTML tags are...so hopefully this will go to Foxy without all of these extra letters:) Wanted to share my Tootsie Roll experience. I walked up a hill for one mile to the local store in Solon Springs, Wisc. to get a 2 cent Tootsie Roll Pop. As I walked down the mile hill... as I get trying to finish the Pop.... I held it up to the sun and noticed the dark cirle in the middle of my red Tootsie Roll Pop had no middle!!! All was red... which was not a good sign for me at the age of 6. I finished the Pop and had no Tootsie Roll... just Pop. So my mom told me to write and complain.... which I did send a letter to the company to complain that I had the Pop ... but alas...no Tootsie. Well Lo and Behold.... 3 months later... I received a large box of all of the products made by that company... with a note of an apology with regards to the lack of the Tootsie in the Pop. So just sharing my experience with that company which brings back a smile in this old face:) Thanks for the memory:) And welcome back to the Middle School...pony tail and all:) Barb
(Foxy's note: Great story, Barb. Thanks for sharing.)
Posted by: Barb meconi | October 21, 2006 10:37 PM
I think there is something to say for wooden teeth. Aside from an occasional splinter they are rather economical. I bet Mr. Tisdale or West could whip some up in the shop. I believe Luther may have the mold.
Posted by: rubble | October 16, 2006 8:41 PM
Foxy,
Consider yourself lucky, only $190? You and I are about the same age, anytime I need a tooth repaired it's always a root canal and then a crown to finish off the job: total cost about $1400 Cndn.
Posted by: Norm Stotland | October 16, 2006 6:24 AM
Consider this fox
When I was young , I couldn't watch the playoff games because it was during the school day.
Now that I ain't so young I can't watch the playoff games because I can't stay up so late or I fall asleep during the school day.
(Foxy's note: Very good point!)
Posted by: rubble | October 15, 2006 9:56 PM