The Ice Cream Social-revived As The Ice Cream Block Party

Here are some of the comments Dreyer's/Edy's has received from previous winners:

• "We are all so busy we usually only briefly speak or wave to each other. This was an opportunity to sit and chat for a while. In almost 40 years of living near each other, I don't recall ever having a party for the neighborhood before now."-Ruby Harris, Biloxi, Miss.

• "The director of activities from The Village at Sherman Oaks said it was the first time he had seen so many people in the lobby on a Sunday afternoon. And even more unusual was that they were ALL smiling!"-Carol Karp, Thousand Oaks, Calif.

• "Our neighbors are the best, because you can count on them in times of trouble or if you just want to talk and share something. We feel very lucky in these sometimes scary times that we have such a great place to live. I thank all of our wonderful neighbors for being so caring."-Karen Friebolin, South Whitehall Township, Pa.

• "After four years, our family was leaving Ft. Huachuca for MacDill Air Force Base. This was a great opportunity to say farewell to our many neighbors and welcome new families."-Victoria Glynn, MacDill AFB, Fla.

Meanwhile, here's a recipe that can either be made ahead of time before the block party or used as an activity for kids to do while at the gathering:

Peanut Buddies

Makes 1 serving

Make the cones, scoop the ice cream, then let the kids design their own "buddies" faces!

11/2 teaspoons peanut butter

1 regular or sugar ice cream cone

2 tablespoons chopped peanuts

1 large scoop Dreyer's/Edy's Slow Churned Light Ice Cream (any flavor)

5-7 chocolate chips

2 large or small peanut butter cup candies

Spread peanut butter in a 1- inch wide strip around top of cone to create a "collar." Place peanuts in a small dish. Dip peanut butter edge of cone into peanuts, rolling cone to coat peanut butter with peanuts. Place scoop of ice cream onto top of cone. Arrange chocolate chips for eyes and mouth. Cut a peanut butter cup in half for two ears and place on sides of ice cream. Place a whole peanut butter cup on top for a hat. Serve immediately or freeze. (Repeat for additional buddies.)

Sweet Idea-Ice cream socials are a great way to break the ice.

Friendly Idea-Serving "Peanut Buddies" is a great way to make friends.

This year, ice cream fans can visit IceCream.com for a chance to scoop up enough ice cream and fixings (scoops, invitations, nametags and more) to host a block party for up to 100 neighbors this summer.

Article Source: http://www.thearticleinsiders.com