Pig Man

Written by staff writer

Saturday, 03 March 2007

Mike Fitzgerald, aka The Pig Man The Pig Man Revives Sweet Fortune Mike Fitzgerald, affectionately known as “The Pig Man” in Saratoga Springs, recalls the day that he brought the Peppermint Pig back to town.       After he opened Saratoga Sweets in 1988, he was surprised by a visit from a member of the Historical Society inquiring if he would be interested in reviving the tradition of the peppermint pig.     The peppermint pig?  It was a holiday tradition stemming from the 1880s, possibly migrating from Europe where marzipan pigs marked good luck.  The pigs were broken after the holiday meal and pieces eaten to ensure fortune in the coming year.  The pigs had been made in Saratoga into the 1930s, but the tradition faded away with changing times.  Would he like to view the plaster model in the museum and consider making the pigs anew?     On December 23, 1988 the local newspaper ran a story headlined, “Pigs Returning,” and Mike was shocked when he opened Saratoga Sweets the next morning.  “The street was blocked with senior citizens waiting to get pigs like they did when they were kids.”  It was an emotional day and he heard many stories of Christmas long past as he sold all 60 peppermint pigs.  One portrait remains in his mind.  A grandfather stood in line, his grandson’s hand clutched in his palm.  The man told Mike, “The last time I got one of these pigs, mine was the little hand holding the big hand.  Now it’s the other way around.” Mike in the workshop     Mike and his candymakers now hand craft 130,000 pigs a year, starting in mid-summer, and, thanks to the Internet and mail-order, Saratoga Sweets’ peppermint pigs grace holiday tables all over the US. 800.827.9060, www.saratogasweets.com Articles by this Author: Learning About Weather Relaxing with Bowser Pets Do the Shopping Meeting Needs Through NEADS Inn Decadence View all articles by this author

Last Updated ( Thursday, 15 March 2007 )

 

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