Easter eggs, the symbol of new life and rebirth, have roots in both Pagan and Christian traditions. The custom of decorating and exchanging eggs dates back centuries, evolving from real eggs to chocolate and other flavors.
The Ladies Auxiliary of the Mathews Volunteer Fire Department has been mixing, dipping and decorating handmade chocolate eggs since 1995 as a fundraiser. They have amassed 30 years of experience making the eggs with a variety of fillings: buttercream, coconut and peanut butter.
“For the first three years,” explained Debbie Buchanan, “we met in homes. Our first year 300 chocolate eggs were sold. We shaped and dipped in chocolate all by hand. The public was very generous in buying them. One year we made 525 eggs, the most we have ever made.”
By the second year the ladies had learned about molds and their eggs became professionally made as they are today in the upstairs kitchen of the fire station at Mathews Court House. Working together once a week, their goal is 500 e...