Otisco Ice Cream Social fulfills dual purpose

Neighbors and friends gathered to eat barbecue, beans, and delicious pie at the annual Ice Cream Social on Sunday, July 9, at Otisco’s St. Peter Lutheran Church. 

The social lasted until the food was gone; the church’s ladies’ group visited with those in attendance while carrying out the work of the event. The stated purpose for the event was to raise money to fix the bell tower of the church. 

Pat Lewer, one of the women on the board, mentioned that the ice cream social was originally an outdoor picnic when it started in the 1920s. Now, three tents of tables get filled with social enjoyers as neighbors and friends talk and reunite. 

Connie Ruedy, another board member, commented on the good weather. She mentioned that the social had been held outside for many years and only once had it ever been rained out.

“The good Lord looks down on us,” Ruedy laughed. “The weather has always been beautiful.” 

All of the donations go to the lady’s group of the church, and they decide where to distribute the funds. Lewer said they like to stay local, donating in past years to Bethlehem Inn or Beds For Kids.

The ladies decided this year’s donations need to go toward repairing the roof of the church’s belltower after a lady got dripped on after the rains in May.