Tuesday, June 19, 2012

National Ice Cream Soda Day - 2012


(Google Image) 

By Diane Forrest

Today is the beginning of summer, and the hottest day of the year.  That makes it the perfect date for Ice Cream Soda Day.  Ice Cream Sodas are a cool delicious treat made with one or two scoops of ice cream then covered with a carbonated drink of your choice.  I prefer root beer.

(Google Image) 

When my dad was a teen he worked at a local drug store.  When he wasn't out making deliveries or changing the boss's baby's diapers, he could be found behind the counter where ice cream was served.  He was known as a Soda Jerk.  He would tell me stories about all the treats he would make, from banana splits to Sundaes, to milkshakes and ice cream sodas.  Those were the good ole days when the drug stores had soda fountains and served ice cream out of glass dishes.

(Google Image) 

Ice cream sodas were invented by Robert Green in 1874 during Philadelphia's sesquicentennial celebration. Legend has it that Mr. Green added vanilla ice cream to the soda he sold after he ran out of ice.  There has been some controversy over this invention.  There are at least three other claimants for the invention of ice cream soda: Fred Sanders, Philip Mohr (in 1782 at Fulton and First Streets in Elizabeth, NJ), and George Guy, one of Robert Green's own employees according to Wikipedia.  Regardless of its origins, the beverage quickly became very popular, to such a degree that it was almost socially obligatory among teens, although many adults abhorred it. According to some accounts, it was banned, either entirely or on holy days, by some local governments.

(Google Image) 

These days you can get an ice cream soda on any day, and since today is ice cream soda day, it’s the perfect day for you to enjoy this delicious treat!

(Google Image) 

No comments:

Post a Comment

Happy Birthday Dad!

  October 15, 2023 Each day, I walk into my den to see what in new and what are my ‘to do’ items for the day and say good morning, Dad. This...