In a large bowl combine candy slices, pecans, coconut, cherries, and chopped dates with 1 cup of the flour, make sure that all fruit and nuts are covered set aside
In another bowl combine the baking soda, salt and the rest of the flour, set aside
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, pureed pears and buttermilk
Add flour mixture and mix well
Fold in Candy and druit mixture
Pour mixture into a greased and floured 10 inch tube pan, make sure to press the mixture down into the pan and smooth the top
Bake in a pre-heated 275 degree oven for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until a toothpick inderted in the center comes out clean
Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Cool completely on a wire rack.