Ice Cream Social 2011
Clowning Around
by Sylvia Amato
We must be lost! Have we wandered into try-outs for Ringling Bros.? Or are these characters actually escapees from a local summer carnival? There are folks here with red bulbous noses, funny glasses, and strange hats. One person wanders past with red yarn hair, round wired pants, and a bicycle horn; another sports red long-johns and a Temple shirt. Ah, ha! No doubt about it! The "emcee" in full clown regalia begins the evening's activities. This is actually an NGA ice-cream social.
This annual event is happening in the community room at North and Southampton Reformed Church on a warm June 8 evening. Organized to share the good deeds of NGA volunteers who make possible the collection, sorting, and distribution of clothing, linens, and toiletries, this event combines education, fun, food, and games. The point of the activities during the evening is to show that everyone is "dealt" a different "hand," and it takes people willing to "lend a hand" to make the branch work.
Upon arrival, gaily dressed clown "participants" make their way to long tables set up with clown centerpieces and each place setting has a sheet of paper with a 3-D clown face mounted on it. From that, these would-be Picassos busily complete artistic visions of assorted harlequins to be judged during the social. As the evening moves along, members engage in elephant nose ring-bobbing, bean bag tossing [really little pillows], and several more games of "skill" --- all to illustrate how difficult being economically challenged is. With activities, comes the fun of creating ice cream sundaes, ingredients already set up by some dedicated NGA members and enjoyed by all. During the sundae celebration, numbers are pulled for a raffle of some door prizes and several lovely themed baskets. In addition, a mini-auction gives people a chance to bid on unique items to raise funds (over $250). With the end of the evening comes clean-up and many appreciative comments for the hard work and organizational skill of the branch officers and their helpers. Ringling Bros. might want to get to know these folks!
Ice Cream Social 2012
Date: June 13, 2012
Time: 6-9pm (Ice Cream served at 6:30)
Location: North & Southampton Reformed Church
East Wing Auditorium
1380 Bristol Road, Churchville, PA
Who: NGA contributors, agency staff, friends, family...all those who would like to join the fun, fellowship, share NGA branch facts and enjoy a super ice cream treat.