Ice cream cones and cool summer treats!

Volunteers will be selling ice cream in front of Emanuel Church from the food trailer Wednesdays through Sundays from 3 to 8 pm.

DD (formerly Manchester’s Dairy Queen) posted on May 4th on social media that they would not be opening this season, citing as reasons both lacking an occupancy permit and the increased expenses that would be involved with operating during a pandemic. Residents looking at spending a whole summer with no local ice cream options began brain storming, and Dawna Stockwell and Linda Milkey came up with a solution.

The two, with the help of other volunteers, will be selling hand-scooped ice cream and pre-packaged novelty treats from the food trailer in front of Emanuel Church, located at 324 W Main St. Wednesdays through Sundays from 3 to 8 pm. All money raised from the sale of ice cream will go to Emanuel Church.

They began with a trial-run Sunday afternoon, opening right after the high-school senior car parade through the village ended. They will open for business officially this Wednesday at 3 pm. They will offer single scoops for $2, double scoops for $3, toppings for $1, root beer floats for $4 and novelties for $1. They will start with vanilla, chocolate, strawberry swirl, superman, and mint chocolate chip ice cream flavors.

Stockwell, wearing a mask and gloves, explained their COVID-19 precautions, showing that they had taped off 6-foot marks on the sidewalk leading up to the trailer so customers can keep a safe distance from each other and a table with prepackaged hand-wipes and a spray bottle of hand sanitizer next to the trailer.

Located directly across the street Acorn Farmers Market and Café, their hours will coincide with Acorn’s Thursday and Friday hours. Additionally, Emanuel Church will serve as one of the shuttle bus stops for the shuttle bus sponsored by St. Joes, that will eventually run between Chelsea and Manchester.

Dawna Stockwell holding a yard sign advertising ice cream. Multiple yard signs are posted in front Emanuel Church with the days and hours the trailer will be open.

The ice cream will be served with COVID-19 safety precautions in place.

Money raised from the sale of the ice cream and treats will go to Emanuel Church.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.