Above / Naper Nuts & Sweets is located at 10 W. Jefferson Avenue in downtown Naperville, where it’s a great day for soft ice cream every day of the year.
Since July is National Ice Cream Month, celebrate the cool idea to observe it that was established in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan. Note also that President Reagan designated the third Sunday of the month as “National Ice Cream Day” and that’s why this story was posted.
Downtown Naperville offers both independent and nationally-known stores that sell delicious ice cream and gelato (Italian ice cream) by the cone or cup.
For starters, visitors will find soft serve ice cream along Jefferson Avenue at Naper Nuts & Sweets and a hand-crafted scoop at Cold Stone Creamery.
Then mosey over to Van Buren where you’ll find many flavorful choices at Sweet Home Gelato (formerly Frost Gelato) in the Main Street Promenade.
Circle back to Chicago Avenue and find Cookie Dough Creations.
Down near other shopping destinations in south Naperville, Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy Store is located at 2879 95th Street, Suite 155.
Then there’s Colonial in Naperville Plaza, Washington at Gartner. Colonial’s Famous Kitchen Sink is big enough for the entire family to share. Two whole bananas, two scoops of vanilla, two scoops of chocolate and two scoops of strawberry go into one large sundae that comes with a braggadocious bumper sticker.
Andy’s Frozen Custard is featured at two Naperville locations, 450 E. Ogden Avenue and 3104 Anna Marie Lane. Find a wide variety of treats from simple vanilla or chocolate cones to seasonal specials and other favorites.
Safety protocols are being followed at local enterprises that welcome your support.
Sing along now, “Take me out to the ball game and buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack” when the 2020 baseball season opens Thurs., July 23, when every major league team will play 10 games against each of the other teams in its division, for a total of 40 games.
2020 Baseball is back in Chicago
The Chicago Cubs home opener is set for Fri., July 24, against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Chicago White Sox home opener, also July 24, is against the Minnesota Twins.
Update, July 26, 2020 / So far, both the Cubs and the White Sox have split their wins (1-1) with their opponents in their 3-game home openers that began Friday.
The Cubs match up with the Brewers Sun., July 26, at 1:20PM. The White Sox take on the Twins at 1:10PM.
Cubs win game 3 against Brewers. Final score 9-1 on July 26.
Twins win game 3 against White Sox. Final score 14-2 on July 26.
‘Baseball’ mock trial hosted at Naper Settlement
And here’s the scoop about a special event planned at Naper Settlement on July 19, also with a focus on baseball.
In addition, to National Ice Cream Day throughout the city, over at Naperville Settlement, an outdoor 19th century village just steps from the heart of downtown and the Naperville Riverwalk, will be the site of a special fundraiser for the Salvation Army, hosted by the Aurora Times.
Notable Naperville and Aurora folks will present and role play figures involved in the suspension of Pete Rose from baseball, “a light-hearted and fun mock trial” to determine whether or not Pete Rose should be allowed into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York.
You can bet Rose enjoyed ice cream, too.
Back in June 2016, Rose commented about being inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame and his commitment to Cincinnati. “We’ve all been raised the same. We love chili. We love pizza. We love ice cream. We love ribs. And we all love the Cincinnati Reds.”
Certainly with Rose’s admitted fondness for ice cream, a fundraiser on National Ice Cream Day seems appropriate.
Cast of characters includes…
Dave Sinker, owner of the Comedy Shrine, as MLB Commissioner Bart Giamatti.
Kevin Coyne, Naperville Councilman, as attorney to argue against Pete Rose going into the Hall of Fame.
John Krummen, Naperville Councilman, as Pete Rose.
Dave Wentz, Naperville attorney, as attorney with arguments in support of Pete Rose.
DuPage Judge Jim McCluskey, as judge to preside over the mock courtroom.
Dana Davenport, TV Personality, narrator
Dan Dolan, Aurora real estate broker, as MLB investigator John Dowd.
DuPage Judge Rick Felice, as Rob Manafort, MLB Commissioner
$30 per person or $300 for a table. $100 sponsorships are available. Sponsors will serve to act as jurors and determine Peter Rose’s fate.
An after party will follow in Century Memorial Chapel. CDC COVID-19 distancing guidelines will be followed. Seating is limited. Purchase tickets at www.foxrivercountrytv.com.
Update, June 20, 2020 / City Councilman Kevin Coyne said the theatrics of the Mock Trial held in Century Memorial Chapel were lots of fun and may be repeated at a future date to be announced.
Like baseball? Watch Moneyball…
Meanwhile, individuals who find baseball and its stats attractive might enjoy watching the 2011 movie, Moneyball, starring Brad Pitt. Like conventional wisdom and so many things in life, nothing happens until the end. So…what’s the problem?
For more info about other happenings at Naper Settlement, visit www.napersettlement.org. Naper Settlement is located at 523 S. Webster Street. Admission to the outdoor history museum is free of charge through Aug. 26, 2020.
Peach cobbler awaits big scoop of ice cream
Cock Robin nostalgia every day
Many local residents recall gatherings with family and friends at Cock Robin—and before that at Prince Castle—for a square scoop of ice cream or a milk shake touted as “One in a Million” where “Memories were made.” Today the location of the popular ice cream stores is the attractive Fredenhagen Park along the Riverwalk in downtown Naperville.
Thanks to encouragement by Rita Fredenhagen Harvard (1929-2012), Positively Naperville created designs for t-shirts printed by ColorBurst to help heighten awareness for the fine enterprise run by Little Friends, Inc., in support of programs for children and adults with autism and development disabilities.
All except a few S, M, 2X and 3X sizes of the t-shirts sold to folks all over the world.
Keep refreshed today!
One more thing… Considering today’s dew point and to avoid drips down your forearm, you’ll want to lick quickly! Also keep hydrated with water.
And keep all these ice cream shops in mind as you remember the early beginnings of ice cream in Naperville that began with the independent enterprises of Prince Castles in 1931, followed by Cock Robin Ice Cream in the mid-1950s.
Folks who operate ice cream establishments welcome you to enjoy the cool, creamy treat by the scoop or soft serve at other times, too. These days, what might have been “seasonal ice cream parlors” are open throughout the year.
—PN
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream
“I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream” is a popular song, first published in 1925.
Last Updated, July 26, 2020
