Editor Bernie Pacyniak discovers that the confectionery world doesn’t stop turning while he takes advantage of summer’s last hurrah during a family vacation.

A coworker and I recently discovered our mutual love of Little Debbie Snacks - Swiss Rolls, in particular.

More than 21,000 c-store executives are expected to attend the 2009 NACS Show, Oct. 20-23 in Las Vegas, for a look at the latest confection and snack products as well as advice from well-known speakers.

On a weekend trip to my old high school stomping grounds, I popped inside one of my favorite shops in burgeoning “Uptown” Normal, Ill., which is undergoing a reconstruction that has the streets torn up, but businesses still in operation.

Confectionery consultant Beth Kimmerle knows a thing or two about chocolate and candy. The retailer-turned-product-manager-turned-historian is the author of three books on the subject.

I recall the first time I saw a three-wheel bike in a cookie/cracker bakery many years ago. As a novice to the industry, I wasn’t quite sure what a bicycle was doing in a food processing plant.

The night before Illinois’ new tax on candy, soft drinks, toiletries and alcohol went into effect, I considered a grocery run for non-flour-based sweets, Arizona iced tea, sensitivity toothpaste and liquor.

When I returned to Stratham, N.H., earlier this summer to visit Lindt USA, I was impressed by how much it had changed since my first visit in 2001.

“Drivers, start your engines!” With those words and the deafening roar of stock cars that followed, my first-ever NASCAR experience began.

Retailers vote for vendors at spring confectionery event.