Remember Ice Cream Socials?

Growing up, I had neighbors right next door, and these folks were more like extended family rather than strangers. Anything you needed, whether it was a cup of sugar or someone to confide in, you could count on your neighbors, no question. “Community” is what we call that kind of closeness these days, and it represents something much deeper than mere proximity to other people. Here on my farm, I’m miles from my nearest neighbor, so I’ve made it my mission to draw people together — family, friends, farmhands and visitors — in order to keep that vital sense of community alive out in “the middle of nowhere.” But so many people are currently living right smack in the middle of a thriving population, and yet they feel more isolated than ever. Hidden behind e-mails and phone conversations, we can forget that living, breathing contact with others can be crucial for keeping life in perspective. Now that summer is in full swing, it’s the perfect time for getting outdoors and gathering together. And if there is one thing on Earth that can bring people together with big smiles on their faces, it’s ice cream. Remember ice cream socials? The very mention stirs up memories of old-fashioned summertime fun. While these sweet soirées have often been orchestrated to raise funds for community causes, an ice cream social can also serve as a perfect excuse for socializing, pure and simple. Ice cream has such an incredible effect on kids and adults alike. We all love it, and we love sharing it just as much. So why wait? It’s high time we get together, meet new friends and just catch up. And, by all means, make ice cream the guest of honor. Here’s a quick list of get-you-going ideas for your own sensational ice cream social. Gather Up Sure, you can pull off an ice cream social on your own, but it’s a lot easier (and tons more fun) to share the setup among friends. Here’s where e-mails and text messages can come in handy! Cast your net, establish who’s in charge of what, divvy up your shopping list, and keep everybody updated as you go. Buy The Basics Organic ice cream; cones; bowls ‘n’ spoons (think biodegradable like those from www.earthwarebiodegradables.com); drinking water; napkins; an ice cream scoop; assorted toppings; cooler(s). Pick the Place You can’t beat an outdoor location for low-cost, roomy fun and easy clean-up. Since it’ll likely be hot this time of year, pick a shady park with picnic tables, and shoot for a mid-morning or evening time frame. It’s also essential to make sure restrooms and trashcans are available for your guests. Churn Up a Crowd Decide on a date, and start churning up local interest. If you’re only inviting a handful of friends and neighbors, stick to direct-delivery invitations. But if you’re inspired to include more people from your community, consider posting flyers in places like the public library and local grocery. Make sure to include the date, time, location and directions to your ice cream social. If the weather forecast is iffy, set a rain date to avoid rescheduling hassles. Don’t be shy about requesting small donations (a couple of dollars per person) to help pay for setup expenses, and you can even encourage people to bring their own bowls and spoons to cut down on costs and waste. Serve It Fresh The sweetest touch you can add to your old-fashioned ice cream social is homemade ice cream. There simply isn’t any carton that can compare. Since you’ll need several quarts, it makes sense to have a handful of ice cream makers at the ready. Hand-powered churns are my favorite because there is unparalleled satisfaction in getting back in touch with our food. Everyone (including the kids) will clamor to take a turn at cranking. I am delighted with the Donvier Premier Ice Cream Maker. It’s easy to churn and creates fabulous ice cream in 20 minutes or less using a pre-chilled cylinder instead of ice and salt ($59.95 at www.cooking.com). Take it a step further, and make your own ice cream cones using the Oven-Baked Ice Cream Cones recipe at www.makeicecream.com. If you need to fall back on store-bought ice cream and cones, don’t skimp on your principles. It may be cheaper to buy brands that fill up on additives like high-fructose corn syrup, but stick to your green guns by going organic, and get the word out. By sharing your convictions, you can help your community turn the tide toward more sustainable living, one sumptuous spoonful at a time! Recipe Ideas: Here’s a recipe from our Farmgirl Connection chat room (www.maryjanesfarm.org/snitz) — from Sharon (Calicogirl), Colorado: Vanilla Custard Ice Cream 2 cups milk 1/2 of a vanilla bean, split lengthwise 8 egg yolks, beaten 3/4 cup sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 tablespoons vanilla extract 2 cups heavy cream In a small saucepan, heat milk just until bubbles form around edges. Remove from heat; add split vanilla bean. Cover and let stand 20 minutes. Remove vanilla bean with a slotted spoon. Scrape the inside of the pod with the spoon and add to the milk. Discard pod. In a large bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, salt, and vanilla extract; beat with wire whip or electric mixer on medium to high speed until thick (about 5 minutes). Gradually beat in warm milk. Transfer to a large, heavy saucepan. Cook and stir just until mixture comes to boil; remove from heat. Cool slightly. Cover and chill, stirring occasionally. Stir in whipping cream. Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to manufacturer’s directions. Makes 2 quarts. And here are two recipes I like to make with my organic strawberries: Strawberry Ice Cream 3 egg yolks 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup heavy cream 1/2 cup half-and-half 2 cups crushed strawberries In a bowl, beat the egg yolks until blended and mix in sugar. Heat the heavy cream and half-and-half, stir into the egg yolks, and pour into the top part of a double boiler. Place over simmering water and stirring constantly, cook until the mixture coats the spoon. Remove from heat and refrigerate until cold, about 2 to 3 hours. Stir in the strawberries. Freeze according to directions for your ice cream freezer. Makes 1 quart. Strawberry Sorbet 3/4 cup sugar 3/4 cup water 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 pounds strawberries In a saucepan, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil, cook until the sugar dissolves, about 3 minutes. Stir in lemon juice and let cool. Puree or crush the strawberries and stir in the sugar syrup. Chill thoroughly. Freeze according to the directions for your ice cream maker. Freezer method: Pour the prepared mixture into a 9-inch square pan. Cover with foil or plastic wrap. Place in the freezer and freeze until firm, about 2 to 3 hours. Scrape out into a food processor, and process until light and fluffy but not thawed. (An old fashioned egg beater will also work.) Return to the pan, cover, and freeze until firm, about 1 to 2 hours. Makes 1 quart.