It's that time of year again!

For over 120 years, our church has been hosting an ice cream social, the proceeds of which go to missions. This isn't just any ice cream. It is 200 gallons of fresh, homemade ice cream, hand-cranked by members of our church. Preparations start weeks in advance-- for example, we make the caramel for the caramel ice cream from scratch.

It is always the second Wednesday in July-- except during the World War (II?) when sugar was rationed, and during the 1993 flood. Just two more days! I can almost taste it.... Six flavors: vanilla, chocolate, caramel, peach, pineapple, and strawberry. AND, we also serve homemade food, pies, and cakes.

Approximately 2,000 people go through the lines. And for a town of 3,000 and a church of about 100, that's an incredible turnout. Last year, we had people there from both coasts. Families originally from this area plan their return visits to ensure being here for the ice cream social.

The men go by 5 in the morning to get final supplies, like ice. The rest of us show up around 7, and that is when the real fun begins. We wrap up about noon, and go home and rest. The lines (for food, ice cream, or take-home pints) open up at 5:30, but customers start arriving about 4:00. People know that if they don't get there quickly, we'll run out and there won't be any more until next year.

Here are some pics from last year (before I was blogging):

When the ice cream gets thick, someone has to stand on it to keep it down. Either that, or K is a weakling. Look at his face!


Notice the tractor rigged up to churn ice cream. That's the invention of one of the men at the church.


Do you see my little baby in the background?!