Yes, Virginia ... there will be ONE Ice Cream Social!

Currently known as the "ice cream wagon," the Emanuel Church food trailer will be the scene of the first-ever "Drive-Thru Ice Cream Social" on August 6, from 4:30-8 pm.

Submitted by Jane (Rose) Finkbeiner

For many years, in Washtenaw County, starting the end of June and running through the first week of August, families have enjoyed scheduling time to attend each of the local churches' Ice Cream Socials. It has become an Ice Cream Social Circuit, of sorts, where folks come together to support the hosting church and meet up with friends and family to enjoy the specialties each church is known for.

At each Ice Cream Social, you will see generations of members coming together to work to make their church's Ice Cream Social the best as they showcase their version of a special sandwich or potato salad or coleslaw as only they make it.

The Ice Cream Social is the summer place to fellowship with your neighbors, to share a good meal, to purchase some pretzels or other baked goods, to get the latest cookbook, or to buy a raffle ticket for a quilt. Most importantly, the Ice Cream Social is for enjoying a large sampling of homemade cakes and a large scoop or two of ice cream.

This year, with Covid-19, we saw our Ice Cream Social circuit came to a stop; many churches held out as long as they could, however, ultimately made the decision it was not feasible for the safety of its members and the community.

The last Ice Cream Social each year is at Emanuel UCC in Manchester, held the first week of August. Of course, a full blown Ice Cream Social with the local Boy Scouts joining us to help set up the tents and tables out front will not happen this year. However, the committee wanted to do something--and since the church has a trailer already out front serving take out ice cream during the week, a “Drive-Thru Ice Cream Social” was planned.

This year's “Drive Thru Ice Cream Social” will feature your choice of a hot chicken or sloppy joe sandwich served with coleslaw, baked beans, chips, and an Ice Cream Sandwich, all for $8.00.

It is easy--you just get in line and once you get to the trailer, someone will take your order and bring your meal to your car. The drive thru line will start in the back parking lot of the church and work its way to the front so as not to back up the traffic on Main Street.

We hope to see everyone for Emanuel’s first ever “Drive-Thru Ice Cream Social” on August 6 from 4:30-8 pm.

For as little as $1 a month, you can keep Manchester-focused news coverage alive.

by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.