Grange pulls together drive-thru ice cream social

Summer tradition adjusts to coronavirus changes

By Matthew Nash • June 3, 2020 1:30 am
Loretta Bilow holds a practice run with Bonnie Hagberg for the Sequim Prairie Grange’s upcoming Drive-Up Ice Cream Social on June 7. Organizers said proceeds support the Grange’s bills and maintenance costs since protocols went into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash
Loretta Bilow holds a practice run with Bonnie Hagberg for the Sequim Prairie Grange’s upcoming Drive-Up Ice Cream Social on June 7. Organizers said proceeds support the Grange’s bills and maintenance costs since protocols went into place to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Sequim Gazette photos by Matthew Nash

Like many businesses and community organizations, members of the Sequim Prairie Grange are adapting to the times for the group’s latest fundraiser.

The grange hosts its first Drive-Up Ice Cream Social from 5-7 p.m. this Sunday, June 7, outside the grange hall at 290 Macleay Road in Sequim.

Visitors will remain in their vehicles as they follow signs to place an order — banana split or sundae — and various toppings atop vanilla ice cream. A volunteer will take the order to more volunteers to place selected toppings (strawberries, pineapple; chocolate or caramel sauce; whipped cream; cherry; nuts).

Volunteers will ask for your name, license plate number and color of your vehicle and send you to your pick-up order location nearby.

Loretta Bilow, co-organizer of the ice cream socials with Marie Paddock, said they’ll place the vanilla ice cream in plastic containers prior to the event to make the drive-up go faster.

All food handlers will be wearing masks and gloves, too.

Cost per split or sundae is $6 with exact cash, or by check made to “Sequim Prairie Grange.”

Bilow said she’s excited for the opportunity to keep the ice cream social tradition going.

“(The Drive-Up) might open up the opportunity for more people to participate in the community if they prefer to stay in their cars anyway,” Grange Master David McDaniel said.

“Depending on how it goes, we might keep this tradition going for people,” he said.

After drivers order, they can choose to park by the outdoor kitchen behind the grange to hear Buck Ellard play live music while they eat.

In summers’ past, grange members host monthly ice cream socials in its hall each with as many as 340 ice cream boats sold.

Grange members said proceeds from this social help with maintenance and pay bills since they haven’t held any fundraisers since COVID-19 guidelines were put in place.

“It’ll be nice to see everyone again,” said Bonnie Hagberg, a grange member since 1997.

“I miss my Grange friends,” Bilow said.

The Sequim Prairie Grange started in 1942 and has more than 200 members.

For more information, visit www.grange.org/sequimprairiewa1108.

Volunteers handling ice cream will wear masks and gloves for the Sequim Prairie Grange’s June 7 Drive-Up Ice Cream Social with banana splits and sundaes available.

Volunteers handling ice cream will wear masks and gloves for the Sequim Prairie Grange’s June 7 Drive-Up Ice Cream Social with banana splits and sundaes available.