Ding Dong! Hostess is dead: A Boise obituary for the Twinkie
The Twinkie was born in Schiller Park, Ill. in 1930 to a James Alexander Dewar. The cream-filled cake of a baker, the Twinkie got its name from a billboard advertising Twinkle Toe Shoes.
It became a national celebrity before the age of 30, frequently making cameos on shows like Howdy Doody and – later – in Hollywood mega-hits like Ghostbusters.
But the Twinky’s greatest role may have been as one of the people.
“Goodbye, Twinkie,” a young woman in downtown Boise said to the treat, Friday afternoon.
Fans remember the Twinkie for its availability, composition and consistency.
“I was probably about four of five when I had my very first Twinkie,” a man near the Grove told us, “and ever since then I always liked eating Twinkies.”
The Twinkie takes with it Ho Hos, Ding Dongs, Donettes and others. But those who knew it say it leaves behind an adopted family: Those who ate it.
But perhaps more than anything else, the Twinkie taught us – like so much else in life – snack food is fleeting. One bite. Two bites. And, before we know it, we’re left with only crumbs.










This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.