I’ve been told that I have the ability to share another’s emotions and feelings. That makes me empathetic. I looked in the dictionary under the definition of “empathy”. It not only described me but my picture was there too. Yes sir! That is me. Mr. Empathy.
Cookie Daze! The City of Ripon is having it’s annual picnic celebration. They call it Cookie Days. In 1992 the City was attempting to forge a relationship with Ripon Foods for it’s annual picnic. Rippin’ Good cookies were part of the historical fabric of Ripon. Cookies are “feel good”. Of course, the City was always looking for a sponsor willing to put a few bucks into their cause. That year we agreed to bake the World’s biggest chocolate chip cookie in the local park. Ripon Foods designed an outdoor oven and planned for a 30 foot in diameter cookie. Guinness was on scene to verify that the cookie was the largest ever baked. It took months to plan. The cookie baked with over 3 million chocolate chips. I don’t remember how many tons of cookie dough were transported from the cookie plant to the park. The rest is history. Ripon Foods baked the biggest chocolate chip cookie ever! The annual picnic celebration has continued to have a “cookie theme” since 1992.
The history of the cookie business has taken many twists and turns since the “bake in the park”. Ripon Foods was sold to Ralcorp in 1999. Ralcorp was sold to ConAgra in 2013 (I think I got the date right). And now, 2015 ConAgra is closing down the cookie plant for strategic reasons. So there will be no cookie production in Ripon.
The City of Ripon still features cookies as it’s central theme for the annual picnic. You would think Ripon would align with a business or a theme that is a little more progressive. I have to admit there is something special about warm, freshly baked cookies and the appeal to the child in everyone. Maybe there is the hope someone will revive the cookie plant.
Love,
Dad