Bowling Green, Ky. - Charles Booe, president of the Rebecca Ruth Candy Factory, will discuss the history of Kentucky’s oldest candy factory on Thursday (Feb. 9) as part of the “Kentucky Live” series.

The program will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 1680 Campbell Lane. “Kentucky Live,” sponsored by Western Kentucky University Libraries and Trace Die Cast, is free and open to the public.

Booe also will discuss some of the problems faced running a small Kentucky specialty company in the midst of foreign competition and escalating sugar prices. Following the program, samples of Rebecca Ruth’s famous bourbon balls will be available.

In 1919, two substitute school teachers in their mid-20s, Ruth Hanly and Rebecca Gooch, began making candy full time and selling it out of the Old Frankfort Hotel. In 1929, Ruth Booe, now widowed, bought the business from Rebecca who was getting married. Despite the Depression, sugar rationing in World War II and a devastating fire, the business continues to flourish under the third generation. In 1938, Ruth perfected her secret process of blending bourbon and candy. Her bourbon balls have been featured in the New York Times, Town and Country Magazine, Gourmet Magazine and the factory appeared on a recent segment on the Food Channel.

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For information, contact Brian Coutts at (270) 745-6121.