Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Time To Eat The Donuts

Living in Massachusetts puts me smack dab in the middle of Dunkin Donuts central, where home to the corporate donut and coffee conglomerate can be found right here in Canton, MA. Today, Dunkin Donuts boasts over 8ooo franchises in 30 countries, with about 5800 locations in the USA. Not bad for a little donut shop that first opened in 1950 in Quincy, MA by a man named William Rosenberg.

The Dunkin Donuts I speak of today is not the modern day Dunkin Donuts that "America runs on", but the one of my childhood. Last night, I saw their new TV commercial, which hails quality family time spent enjoying luscious donuts together. It made me think of my late, beloved Grandfather. Being the last in a line of five, I was not yet of school age and the only one left at home every morning when my Grampa would come and visit us armed with a box of Dunkin Donuts. Come to think of it, I can't ever remember a time when Grampa didn't come through the door carrying the pink and white donut box. It was our morning ritual. Sticky, sugar covered Jelly donuts were my favorite as a kid, with a "honey dipped" or glazed donut running a close second. Grampa and I would sit at the kitchen table, he with his coffee and me with my milk, eating, talking and enjoying the moment together. Those were some of the happiest times of my life and I adored him.

Grampa was truly my best friend. He would watch me every morning while my mom would go run errands for an hour or so, and I harldy knew she was gone. After our donut, we would do fun things like wash pennies. Grampa would get a can of Comet, a bowl of water and an SOS pad. He then would take a bunch of pennies and change from his jingling pocket and it became our mission to get them as shiny and clean as possible. The pennies, almost always revealing the most dramatic change. Of course, Grampa let me keep all the change when we were done. Those days for me, came pretty close to perfection.

I thought about my children's grandparents and how on a Sunday morning visit they occasionally arrived carrying a pink and white box, much to my children's delight. I thought about the kids, after an early morning game or a school hour dentist appointment, requesting a stop at "Dunkies" which always resulted in a purchase of multiple chocolate frosted donuts which then produced multiple smiles. The TV ad had done exactly what it was intended to do. It evoked an emotional response to the national brand and it's signature product. Knowing what we know about nutrition and food additives today, it probably puts the donut on the "top ten worst food violators" list for sure. But somehow I think the reward of an occasional donut with the kids outweighs the risk.

Dunkin Donuts just may have got their money's worth with this latest ad campaign. When I go to visit my brother and his kids this weekend, you can bet that as I walk into his house, I'll be carrying a pink and white box.

25 comments:

Verdant Earl said...

Awww. Very sweet.

kuhkjhkh said...

awww :-) I love your family

Sass said...

That was such a great post, Candy.

Beautiful, thoughtful, and so well-written...

Sassy Britches said...

I just got a little chill. This was such a moving post.

wigsf said...

First of all, it's always time to eat donuts. Donuts, are possibly the greatest wartime invention ever!

And my nonno used to get lots of donuts. When I was a kid, he would take my nonna to the doctor which happened to be located in the same building as a Country Style Donuts shop. When my nonna was with the doctor, he'd go get a coffee. When I got home from school, I'd find a half dozen honey glazed donuts waiting for me.

I love donuts. So very much.

will said...

I wish I could've had a donut friend.

Joanie said...

My high school boyfriend and I used to stop at Dunkin' Donuts quite often and have coffee (they had the BEST coffee) and a donut. They had a counter with stools to sit... just like in a diner.

Soda and Candy said...

Aww... so sweet.

I don't think there's anything wrong with the occasional treat, it's just that you can't be having doughnuts for breakfast every day!

Jori said...

I saw their commercial last night (In Texas) and commented to my husband, "I remember how excited I would be when Dad would bring home donuts and we would...". You're right - the nailed it on the head.

Heff said...

That's some funky lookin' donuts in that photo. Ever put 'em under a black light ?

Slyde said...

very nice.

for the record, my favorite is their chocolate cream filled. If you buy me one, ill be your bestest friend...

MJenks said...

While Donuts might be on the top ten worst foods of all time, never forget that it was a donut that saved Springfield from the runaway monorail.

Ah, donuts...is there nothing they can't do?

Some Guy said...

Great post! Donuts were a Sunday ritual at my house growing up. I miss that.

Fancy Schmancy said...

I remember moving to the Keys and Just. Not. Comprehending. that they didn't have Dunkin' Donuts down there. Does not compute. Now my kid would eat one of their breakfast sandwiches every day if I let him.

Cora said...

Mmmm, donuts. I'm drooling like Homer Simpson here.

Cora said...

Oh, gawd, not kidding! My wv: ineupig.

Hey, drooling over donuts does NOT make me a pig!

The Dental Maven said...

Now, who'da thought you could fit all those great memories in that little pink and white box?

The Lady Who Doesn't Lunch: said...

There in only one Dunkin' Donuts here and it's on the other side of town. My husband is from Cambridge and when we visit his family I swear we go to Dunkin' Donuts every ding dong day. I don't mind it makes him so happy.

I never eat doughnuts anymore and I don't even know where there is a good bakery to get some. I'm heading for the phone book right now though.

Scope said...

In the commercial for DD, at the end, the crazy hypno light is entrancing something in background.

Sometimes I think it's a dog.

Sometimes I think it's a neighbor lady crawling.

Sometimes I just stare at the word "doughnut", and wonder about the proper spelling.

Shawn said...

It is amazing how so many brands, food and otherwise, can evoke such powerful nostalgia if they meant something to you as a kid.

Having said that, a warm glazed doughnut? Probably the closest thing to edible heaven that man has invented.

steenky bee said...

This post touched me on so many levels. At first, I gasped out loud when I saw the sugary goodness up there on display. Then I read your touching tribute. Well done. And now, I'm hungy.

Furtheron said...

Coincidences? 31st March was doughnut day at work :-)

Tom said...

Nice post (and not just because I love the subject matter of donuts)

John D. said...

We're getting seven new Dunkin's/Baskin Robbins in our town. I'm strongly lobbying the county Board of Supervisors to put one of them in my house. : ))

esti said...

it is a touchy story,dear Candy.
May I tag or share your story in my blog? I am writing about DD,too. Haven't finished it,yet. But I will finish the story in my blog later..
Thank you