I scream, you scream, we ALL scream for ice cream!
What better way to celebrate a sunny, hot, summer day than by eating a yummy ice cream treat from your favorite shop? And, this is the perfect time to cool off with a scoop of your favorite flavor because it’s National Ice Cream Month! President Ronald Reagan made it so in 1984, and the third Sunday of July is also designated National Ice Cream Day.
According to nationaldaycalendar.com, the exact origin of ice cream is unknown. Its first appearance in the U.S. was found in a letter written in 1744 by Maryland Governor William Bladen. Early presidents had a fondness for ice cream – especially President George Washington who was said to have spent many dollars for the decadent dessert. Back then, ice cream was only an occasional special treat, mainly enjoyed by the wealthy. In 1843, Nancy Johnson patented the hand-crank ice cream maker. Eight years later, in 1851, Jacob Fussell built the first ice cream factory in Seven Valleys, PA.
I have many fond childhood memories of ice cream. Our backyard barbecues always included homemade ice cream hand-cranked by my dad. He would always add some fruit to the creamy base – strawberry and peach were my favorites.
What is your favorite ice cream? According to recent surveys, the most popular flavor is vanilla, closely followed by chocolate and strawberry. Some of my family favorites include mint chocolate chip, cookies & cream, chocolate chip cookie dough and caramel – and oh yes, butter pecan.
I also have a lot of good memories of enjoying ice cream with my kids and grandkids. It just wasn’t summer without a visit to Uncle Ray’s Dairyland in Fenton, a hometown fave since 1978. The kids especially enjoyed the ice cream cones decorated with little candy eyes. Serving cones with candy eyes began years ago, when a poster at the shop pictured a cartoon ice cream cone with eyes. Kids started asking for cones with eyes like the poster depicted, and it has become an Uncle Ray’s tradition.
When my daughter lived in Traverse City, we would always visit a quaint ice cream shop in the country. Nestled on a family dairy farm, Moomers is a beloved destination for locals and tourists alike and has been recognized as America’s Best Scoop Shop by “Good Morning America” and Best Ice Cream in the Country by USA Today.
There are many ways to celebrate National Ice Cream month. You can visit one of the many local scoop shops, including The Scoop of Fenton, Roaring 20’s Ice Cream Parlour in Flushing, Banana Boat on Corunna Rd. in Flint, and Ziggy’s Ice Cream in Grand Blanc, Holly and now Fenton, to name just a few.
One of my favorite things to do with my grandkids is create some delicious ice cream treats at home. We have great fun making homemade banana splits or ice cream sandwiches (chocolate chip cookies with vanilla ice cream). A family favorite?
Hot fudge brownie ice cream cake topped with whipped cream and a cherry!
Just remember: all you need is love … and ice cream!
