Ice Cream

We're all aware of the great grocery downsizing scam that's taking center stage at your local supermarket. But strangely enough, I'm not mad about that. I've always admired creative thinking, and for that reason alone I have to stand up and applaud the consumer-product packing divisions across this great land of ours. First, this isn't new. Vending machine candy bars were way ahead of the curve, and they were pretty slick about it. They'd say, "Hey, we're lowering the price on Snickers, Yay!"

Name of business: Uncle Louie G's Italian Ices & Ice Cream Owner: Bernard A. Paul Address: 34 E. Washington St., Hagerstown Opening date: June 24 Products and services: Italian ices, homemade gourmet ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies and swishies Market area: Washington County and surrounding area How did you get into your business, or what motivated you to start it? "The motivation came from wanting to own my own business. I have been involved in the fashion industry for more than 19 years -- 16 years in New York and three years in Chevy Chase, Md., and Virginia.

As the end of summer nears, we still have time to enjoy that cold, delicious dairy treat we all love - ice cream! Eating ice cream is an easy way to consume a serving of dairy. It's proven that consuming three servings of dairy products, such as milk, cheese, yogurt and ice cream, will help kids build strong bones and help teenagers and adults prevent osteoporosis and high blood pressure. One serving of ice cream is equal to a scoop the size of a tennis ball. The added sugar in ice cream is one reason not to eat too much ice cream, but the calcium and other nutrients it contains makes it a healthy desert to occasionally enjoy.

WAYNESBORO, Pa. - Jake Sweet's name is a perfect marriage of moniker and occupation. Sweet makes ice cream and lots of it - about 16,000 gallons a year in his small dairy in Waynesboro. Ten years ago, Sweet, 48, bought Antietam Dairy at 834 S. Church St. It was owned by Donald Meckley, who opened it 30 years earlier. According to Sweet, Meckley worked as a milkman for a local farm dairy and decided to strike out on his own. He delivered milk at first and two years later started making ice cream.

SHARPSBURG heatherk@herald-mail.com Sitting at a picnic table in the Ag Expo's main show ring Monday afternoon, 8-year-old Marie Quick glanced up from her task of periodically pouring salt over the barrel of ice to take in a bit of farm lore from Ag Expo treasurer Bill Shelton. "Have you ever made ice cream in a coffee can?" he asked. When Marie and her mom shook their heads, Shelton described how he used to teach Cub Scouts how to make ice cream by putting the ingredients in a small can, sealing it and placing it in a large coffee can filled with ice, then rolling it back and forth.

Ice cream recipes can come out of left field, as did the bacon ice cream a "Top Chef" reality show contestant made with liquid nitrogen. And then they can come out of deep left field, as in PETA's request last month that a popular commercial ice cream company use human breast milk in it's ice cream instead of cow's milk. But the truth is, you're in good company if you like your ice cream plain. Vanilla is the most popular flavor in the U.S., according to International Dairy Foods Association, a Washington D.C.-based trade group.

FORT LOUDON, Pa. - An ice cream making contest will be featured this Saturday during the Fort Loudon Ho-Down at the Fort Loudon Community Grounds. Those wising to participate should bring their ice cream freezers and ice cream mix ready to be frozen. Ice, salt and electricity will be provided as needed. Recipes using eggs should be made in advance. The freezing will begin at 3 p.m. and trophies will be awarded for the best vanilla, fruit and candy or cookie flavors. Judging for the contest will begin at 4 p.m. and be done by the vote those who pay $1 to sample the ice creams.

bonnieb@herald-mail.com BLUE RIDGE SUMMIT, Pa. - They call it an ice cream social, but there was much more available Saturday at the Blue Ridge Summit Free Library. Nachos, hot dogs, steamers, funnel cakes, baked goods, fresh flower arrangements, art prints, Christmas items and thousands of books all were available for sale at the library's 30th annual fund-raiser. Members of the Fountaindale Fire Department gave children free rides in their firetrucks, while various musical groups played.

A worker's arm was caught in a piece of machinery early Thursday at the Good Humor-Breyers plant in Hagerstown. Diana Shafer of Hagerstown was cleaning a machine about 3 a.m. when her arm was caught in the machine, said Pete Madeo, spokesman for the plant at 1100 Frederick St. Shafer had injuries to her forearm and was flown by helicopter to a Baltimore hospital. She was in serious condition late Thursday after undergoing surgery at Union Memorial Hospital, a spokeswoman there said.

WILLIAMSPORT - There was a hot time in the old town on Saturday. So hot, in fact, that the only vendor at the yearly Williamsport Days festival who was doing a really brisk business was selling ice cream. "We're doing pretty good," said Codi Trumpower, who was working the ice cream trailer for the Williamsport Volunteer Fire Co. "We didn't do as well last year; it was a lot cooler," Trumpower said. "We're doing a lot better today. " Still, many of the peddlers seemed undaunted.