Chocolate Cake and Vanilla Ice Cream

by Pat Antonopoulos

Ice Cream Socials have changed names, but the concept is the same; community, fun, food and home-made desserts. The secret ingredient is hours to days of volunteer work. Months before the event, the work begins and the intensity grows as the calendar shrinks.

Early in Saturday's set-up, the wind sent the tents across the schoolyard. Without a word of complaint, the fireman and the adult sons of some of the festival organizers started again. Bits and burst of rain, a Chief's game, and the aging population of workers didn't slow the evening.

Ethic food served in the school gym drew long lines of visitors who had walked hilly blocks from distant parking spots. Pre-teens sucked on candy pacifiers and baby bottles of sweet liquid. Younger kids had painted faces and jewelry of every description. Game wheels spun and provided prizes by the arm-load. The collective pulse was racing.

If each individual committee chair and volunteer were named, the blog would stagger. An unscientific poll determined that the majority of these women and men were well past retirement age, willingly giving time and precious energy to serve their community.

Maybe a few tempers barked now and again. Maybe old methods were challenged in favor of time savers. Maybe even a cross word raised an eyebrow or two. But the wonderful bottom line was a group of people working toward a common goal.

And so, a tribute to all those who gave so much to make the Festival a success.
Kudos, Ladies and Gentlemen. You ARE amazing.