While growing up in Indianapolis, my family always found time for an ice cream treat. This indulgence was encouraged by wonderful ice cream shops. We regularly topped off piano and dance recitals with visits to Martha Washington's, located at 38th and Meridian. I can still remember the heavenly aroma that filled the air of this parlor of treats. The chocolate, lemon sherbet, or raspberry salad (sherbet with pecans) were the favorite cone flavors.

We also had Maplehurst in our neighborhood. This was a childhood favorite because the stores had short doorways next to the regular entries. Only youngsters could get through the little passages, and it was always a thrill to enter alone. We would pick our favorite ice cream for a cone. With three children, my dad would forego his favorite chocolate soda so we could all have a treat.

While my sister, brother and I thought butterscotch sundaes at the Hawthorne Room or princess sundaes at Ayres Tea Room were a royal treat, my mother claimed, "You don't know ice cream until you have had a Hot Vassar Fudge Sundae from Craig's." She had grown up going to that downtown mainstay with her grandmother every Saturday. They would see one movie, take an ice cream break (lunch) and then go for another movie.

My family, like many others of the day, of course had its encounter with homemade ice cream as well. I have vivid memories of Dad trying his hand at the challenge one 90-degree summer day. Such anticipation surrounded each family member as we each took our turn cranking the ice cream maker. We packed salt around the container holding the cream and strawberries just like directions indicated. Alas, "soup" was all we had to show for an afternoon of diligence - but it was tasty nonetheless.

While I fondly remember the ice cream truck that slowly trolled our neighborhood, Lindner's, Maplehurst, and other favorite childhood haunts, I realize that kids of today are packing in their own memories at Baskin- Robbins, Ritters, and Ben & Jerry's. Ice cream seems to be a childhood staple - yesterday, today, and tomorrow.