New England Has a Sweet Tooth

Sky Bar - A Candy Box in a Bar

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 14:59:24 GMT

Picture four different fillings in a single chocolate bar. That's Sky Bar, which Necco introduced in 1938. This episode features an interview with Louise Mawhinney, who rescued the beloved candy bar when Necco filed for bankruptcy in 2018 and produces it today.

For more information:

Sky Bar (www.skybarcandy.com)

Duck Soup (www.quackquackquack.com)

New England Sweets (www.rednickel.com/shop)

Susan Mara Bregman website (www.rednickel.com)

Susan Mara Bregman Instagram (www.instagram.com/rednickelneon)

Susan Mara Bregman YouTube (www.youtube.com/@rednickelneon)

Needhams -- Maine's Beloved Potato-Coconut Candy

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 22:08:12 GMT

Leave it to Mainers to add potatoes to their chocolates. In this episode, host Susan Mara Bregman focuses on Needhams -- the state's historic chocolate-covered potato coconut candies. Malaika and Gerard Picard, who own the Maine Needham Company, join the conversation.

Susan Mara Bregman is the author of New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons, and Whoopie Pies (The History Press, 2025).

For more info:

New England Sweets (www.rednickel.com/shop)

Maine Needham Company (www.maineneedhams.com)

Susan Mara Bregman's website (www.rednickel.com)

Susan Mara Bregman's Instagram (www.instagram.com/rednickelneon/)

Making Whoopies -- Unwrapping Maine's Favorite Treat

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 20:43:09 GMT

In this episode of 'New England Has a Sweet Tooth,' host Susan Mara Bregman explores the fascinating history of whoopie pies, the quintessential Maine treat. Joined by Patrick Myers, who oversees Maine's annual Whoopie Pie Festival, they delve into the origins of this sweet treat. The discussion touches upon Maine's Whoopie Pie Festival and the importance of the whoopie pie in Maine's culture.

Susan Mara Bregman is the author of New England Sweets: Doughnuts, Bonbons, and Whoopie Pies (The History Press, 2025).

Patrick Myers is the executive director of the Center Theatre in Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, which sponsors the annual Maine Whoopie Pie Festival.

For more info:

New England Sweets

Maine Whoopie Pie Festival

Center Theatre

Susan Mara Bregman's website

Susan Mara Bregman's Instagram

New England Sweet Tooth Intro

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 18:16:00 GMT

Welcome to New England Has a Sweet Tooth -- a podcast that explores everything from the origin of Necco Wafers to the stranger-than-fiction story behind Maine’s signature potato-coconut candies. We’ll walk along Confectioner’s Row in Cambridge, discover who invented the doughnut hole, and revisit the time the Fluffernutter almost became the state sandwich of Massachusetts.