By Judy Reed

July is national ice cream month

Nothing brings back favorite childhood memories like a scoop of luscious homemade ice cream. “I remember going to get ice cream with my mom and dad, and then eating mine as fast as I could,” recalled Marybeth Ford, of Solon Township, “because then I would always get some of my dad’s, too,” she said with a laugh. Until they caught on, that is.

“I can still remember my mother telling me, ‘you can just slow down because you’re not getting any of your dad’s,’ and I thought, ‘What? Why not?’ They had figured me out.”

July is national ice cream month, and Sunday, July 18, is national ice cream day. What better way to celebrate than to visit one of the local ice cream shoppes in our area?

Judging from an informal survey we did on Facebook, many people have favorite flavors they enjoy at area shoppes.

Kelly Worth said KC Cones and Coneys, at the north end of Cedar Springs, has many yummy flavors, with paintball blast being her favorite. According to owner Cleve Kasper, their best seller is butter pecan, with cookie dough, Grand Traverse Bay cherry chocolate and cotton candy also popular sellers. Many say they also have the best turtle sundae around. “It’s the little chocolate turtles,” he confided.

Rosie’s Ice Cream and More in Sand Lake, across from Salisbury Park, is another favorite. Debra Hand likes their twist. But there are a lot of other flavors to choose from. According to co-owner Kathy Ortiz, one of their most popular offerings is the Reese’s peanut butter cup flurry, followed by the brownie delight and turtle sundaes. Their best seller is actually a hard ice cream: Hudsonville mint chocolate chip. However, if you stop there, you are also in for another treat. “We make our own waffle cones and waffle bowls,” she said.

Charley’s at 18 Mile and Lincoln Lake, in Spencer Township, is another popular ice cream place. Daphne Smith has her favorite there. “They have the best pineapple sundaes!” she said. Several others also thought they had the best ice cream.

Charley’s has 17 flavors of Hudsonville ice cream, with their most popular being mint chocolate chip, butter pecan, and superman. And, for those who want something a little lighter, you can get sugar free butter pecan, coffee lovers and a blueberry granola yogurt. On Tuesday evenings they also have a live band.

Sticks and Stones in Pierson is also a great place for ice cream. Some favorites include Hudsonville’s rocky road brownie and key lime pie. But their best seller is mint chocolate chip. “It’s selling off the shelf,” said Stacie, the owner. Grand Traverse Bay cherry fudge is also a big seller.

If you love banana splits, you are going to love the Sparta Tasty Treat. This ice cream place has been around for about 65 years, and they are well-known for being the home of the five or ten-foot banana split. They even have a banana split eating contest each year during the Sparta Town and Country Days, and this year’s contest is this Saturday, July 17, at 4 p.m. right after the grand parade. And the best part is it’s free! Besides the banana split, the favorite soft serve flavor there is the green apple or blue goo flavor burst, and the most popular hard ice cream is mom’s cookie dough.

So what about you? Do you have a favorite? If you haven’t been to one of these places in awhile, take a trip to your favorite ice cream shoppe, and make some new memories today!