It seems that during the short, cold days of January the Maine lawmakers have done more than think of ways to chip away at President Obama’s health care law. They have turned their minds to whoopie pies, and a legislative committee has been formed to consider making whoopie pies Maine’s official state dessert. This is an urgent matter. Pennsylvania is also thinking of making whoopie pies their official dessert, and heaven knows what trouble would erupt should two states have the same official dessert. There might even be a law against it, and a good thing, too. There could be a disturbance in the space/time continuum if both Maine and Pennsylvania proclaimed that whoopie pies were their official state dessert. It could get very ugly.
Then there are the party-poopers who are asserting that whoopie pies—some of which contain lard—are not good for us. Why not consider the blueberry?, the party-poopers ask. After all, a dessert made with blueberries would be much healthier than a poky old whoopie pie.
Maybe yes, and maybe no. It all depends on what kind of dessert is made with blueberries. It’s hard to believe that a blueberry pie—quite possibly made with lard—would be much healthier than a whoopie pie. Yes, blueberries contain antioxidants, but so does chocolate.
On this matter I will remain neutral. I love all things blueberry, and whoopie pies are one of my favorite desserts. Besides, it’s a silly argument, no matter how you look at it. Desserts are not supposed to be healthy. They are supposed to be sweet and good, an occasional indulgence, not something to be eaten every day.
Maine lawmakers will again turn their minds to whoopie pies on February 8. Will Pennsylvania beat us to the punch? Will blueberries insinuate their little blue heads? Stay tuned.
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Week Four: The Let Them Eat Bread Report
Last week I gave away two loaves of bread: One to my daughter Shannon, and one to Holly Studholme, the daughter of my friend Dawna Leavitt.
The grand total for January? Ten loaves of bread. At least forty-two more loaves to go.
Notes From the Hinterland 
I was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and being the “true” Pennsylvania girl, I can safely say, they’re NOT known as “whoopie pies”, but rather, “gobs”.. So in all actuality, both states COULD have the same dessert, but they’d be referenced in different ways… If it were up to me, I’d choose more from the Pennsylvania roots and go with something a bit more thought out, original, & eye-catching, such as shu-fly pie (the spelling of the actual dessert may be off, but I know how to say it & DEFINITELY eat it! ;-D ), or something else Pennsylvania-dutch/amish… Each state has its own history & should be proud of those roots.. They should also be forced to have their OWN dessert, & nothing shared by another state! Either way, I’ll proudly eat them all!