Ethel’s Fudge: A Halloween Treat
by Rowan Beck,
October 21, 2010, page 20.....

For many years Ethel Atkins handed out her famous fudge to trick-or-treaters on Halloween. She lived just south of the Old Brick Store on Greenbush Road. Over the years hundreds passed through her door for her fudge, and hugs, too! Most knew her as the kindly lady who ran the cafeteria at CCS, where she was equally famous for her savory baked beans, hot-from-the-oven rolls and chicken ‘n biscuits.
Ethel passed away in 2001 and by 2002 the Senior Center decided to take on the charge of this much-loved tradition. Shirley Bean recalls coming up with the idea when she was chairman of the board in 2002 and not being sure if they would have the same success. Ten years later the fudge reigns on.
The entire process takes about a month from beginning to end. “The most fun is when we all come together to cut and package the fudge,” Shirley laughed. “It’s quite a process.” Approximately thirty to forty people are involved in making, packaging and distributing the fudge. The Senior Center provides all the ingredients and Ethel’s famous recipe. These are put in bags and given to volunteers who take them home and make the batches. Once the batches are returned they are cut and wrapped. Margaret Therrien, a long time Charlotter, has enjoyed making the fudge for the last ten years. She and nine others will be making approximately 300 pieces this year.
Margaret’s son, Brian, recalls, “Going to her (Ethel’s) house was quite an event. It was like going to your grandmother’s with the smell of fudge filling the air. It was not a stop to be missed!” Flocks of children would pass by her door on Halloween as they filled Greenbush Road. Some of those children, now adults, return with their own children to collect this most coveted treat. “You can almost hear them say to their kids ‘go for the fudge!’ as they come in the door,” Shirley said.
Typically the Senior Center will see about 400 trick-or-treaters over the course of the evening. Six to eight people will hand out the fudge, some in costume. They truly get into the spirit. Each individual piece of fudge is wrapped in clear plastic and then an orange ribbon with pumpkins is tied on. In addition to the fudge, trick or treaters are now also offered “Mrs. Williams” popcorn balls. She was another Village resident who made delicious popcorn balls with maple syrup instead of molasses.
All in all it has become quite a community event. There are a large number of volunteers who make it all happen and truly enjoy it. It is a wonderful combination of young and old coming together. The seniors enjoy distributing their treats and seeing the little kids as they come through with their friends and families. According to Shirley, they “even keep some coins around for the UNICEF boxes” that some of the children remember to bring around.
Ethel Atkins gave much to her community. She was the “lunch lady” at Charlotte Central School (CCS) for 42 years. The cafeteria was dedicated to her and her staff in 1988. According to Monica Smith, former CCS principal, Ethel was most famous for her rolls, and “one year had her picture taken with Governor Snelling, with her rolls, on Grandparents Day.” Ethel was known for giving back to her community and was even considered Charlotte’s honorary grandmother. It is amazing that even beyond the grave she continues to give.
Stop by the Senior Center the night of Halloween and pick up a simple piece of fudge that not only has the ability to tie the past and present together but also binds a community. Happy Halloween!