By Paula Pyzik Scott

Twenty-five to thirty Bluffton early birds strike while the peanut brittle is hot on Monday mornings in November. Volunteers fill the Bluffton Senior Center kitchen to make some 150 pounds per week as a fundraiser.

There are five stations: 1) the molten brittle boilers, 2) the hot brittle spreaders, 3) brittle breakers, 4) the brittle coolers and 5) brittle weighers and baggers. The video below shows the extremely hot sugar and peanut mixture being poured, turned and spread on trays.

On this day, the crew is a little short handed, due to a Senior Center trip to Branson, Missouri. So, I repeatedly hear the question, "would you like to help?" And the invitation is tempting. The room is full of good smells and good company.

The crew tells me that the week's stock of peanut brittle had almost run out. Next week, they plan to make brittle with other nuts, possibly hickory and pecan. Peanut brittle sales are one of the biggest fundraisers for what is formally named the Senior Citizens Association of Bluffton. The brittle is sold at the desk for $12/pound.

Sales at the center's gift shop--which is particularly busy pre-Christmas--also support the organization, which provides activities and services for over 700 members. The gift shop includes many handmade items including greeting cards, scrubbies and crocheted dish cloths, adult bibs and eating scarves, aprons and Bob Minto pottery.

The center also raises funds with Christmas-themed and standard garage sales, which are posted on the Icon in October and March.