Best Place in the USA to Celebrate July's National Ice Cream Month

COLUMBUS, OH, June 09, 2011 (Press-News.org) As the nation prepares to celebrate National Ice Cream Month this July, there's no place better to experience the creamy confection than Harrison County. Here, a trio of old-fashioned ice cream parlors and soda fountains draw sweet-toothed visitors of all ages to the southern Indiana town of Corydon.

Palate-Pleasing Prescription
Recently made famous with the wildly popular viral nature of their online commercial (http://bit.ly/cGNJuu), the classic soda fountain tucked inside Butt Drugs returns visitors to the laid-back days before cell phones and MP3s. Locals and out-of-towners alike are attracted by the refreshing simplicity of Butt Drugs, where ever-present "regulars" enjoy their daily 25-cent cup of morning coffee. Since opening in 1952, Butt Drugs has been dishing up the friendly convenience of a home-town pharmacy, blended with a classic old-time soda fountain. Butt Drugs' clever and catchy commercial has appeared everywhere from the BBC to "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and "(George) Lopez Tonight."

Besides malts, shakes, cones and a secret recipe vanilla cream soda, Butt Drugs also offers gourmet confections: fudge, malt balls, chocolate toffee pistachios and a signature caramel-covered marshmallow candy concoction called modjeskas. Its timeless tradition as a quality, family-owned business makes the Butt Drugs soda fountain a must-see (and must-taste) experience for travelers visiting the Corydon area.

Following her father and grandfather, both pharmacists, Katie Butt Beckort is now the third-generation owner of Butt Drugs. She brings a business management degree to the job.

"Visitors sit at the original soda fountain my grandfather bought in 1952 and experience ice cream and confections exactly the way they did back then," said Beckort. "That's what makes us so unique. Anyone can buy a new or restored fountain, but there is something very special about sitting down for a soda at the original."

Neon, Nehi & Champagne Sherbet
Founded by young widow Frances Emery in 1937, Emery's Ice Cream Parlor is open March through November, but is always worth a visit. Forties-inspired flavors such as lemon chiffon, maple nut, tin roof, lemon custard and orange pineapple keep visitors coming in and regulars coming back. Not only does Emery's serve skyscraper scoops, but their banana splits are dressed so fancy that folks come for miles just to watch them being made. And Emery's renowned turtle sundae features a homemade caramel-fudge brownie, topped with praline ice cream, fudge and caramel sauces, whipped cream, nuts and, of course, a cherry.

After a brief closure in the 1990s, Kevin Paul brought Emery's back to life, creating a perfect replica, down to every inch of neon, of the original Emery's. Paul stocked shelves with "penny" candy like soft sugar sticks, Slo Pokes and Good N' Plenty, designed to take guests back to the "good ol days."

Just as they did back in 1937, the friendly "Emery's girls" scoop up 26 flavors of ice cream every day, plus 10 different sherbet flavors, including, champagne, grape, cherry, peach, fruit punch and fall favorite, cranberry.

When asked his favorite flavor, Paul proclaims it a tie between Almond Joy and old-fashioned vanilla-strawberry. When asked what keeps visitors lining up for Emery's, he put it simply: ""We make you happy."

Polly Want a Burger?
Polly's Freeze is a favorite 50s-era-inspired eatery just 15 miles east of Corydon in Floyd County. It features an array of homemade edibles, from the seasonal lime sherbet to the delectably creamy and rich soft-serve. At this classic, casual eatery marked by the giant, colorful parrot sign, customers order at a walk-up counter and then relax at one of the picnic tables that scatter the area.

Nearby Squire Boone Caverns Director Claudia Yundt has been a customer for more than 40 years. Since she was a toddler, Yundt and her family have made it a tradition to be at Polly's Freeze on opening day. "I'm addicted," she says. Yundt's regular order of the saucer-sized Polly Burger, big homemade onion rings and an icy root beer, finished off with her favorite ice cream, Polly's orange sherbet. Yundt claims that Polly's is the most rich and delicious soft-serve travelers will find anywhere.

"The Polly Burger is so good. And it's really messy, which makes it even better," Yundt explains.

Donna Eisert, and her parents before her, founders Polly and Elmer Gleitz, have owned Polly's Freeze for 28 years. According to Yundt, part of what makes Polly's so special is seeing the same familiar faces every year.

"It's like a landmark. Anyone who grows up here has to go to Polly's Freeze. But visitors shouldn't miss it either," she adds. "Just look for the big Polly Parrot on the side of the road."

Beyond the nostalgic and gastronomical thrill of the area's old-time ice cream parlors, Corydon offers travelers an incredible collection of historic sites and attractions. Visitors marvel at the natural wonders of the historic Squire Boone Caverns and Marengo Caves, a National Natural Landmark where enormous passages are highlighted by dazzling formations and crystals. A State Historic Site marks Corydon's place as Indiana's first capitol. Travelers also enjoy touring the Leora Brown School, one of the nation's oldest standing early African American schoolhouses, and visiting the Constitution Elm site, under which Indiana delegates met to draft the state's first constitution. Visitors will also find plenty of diverse lodging options in the area, from a historic bed & breakfast to affordable, modern hotels and even a riverboat casino. Complete visitor information and a free visitors guide is available by logging on to www.thisisIndiana.org calling (888) 738-2137.

Additional information, press trips, fact checking and images available.
Contact Amy Weirick, (614) 848-8380 or amy@WeirickCommunications.com.

Weirick Communications, Inc. is a Midwest-based PR firm focused on telling the world about great travel, culinary and event experiences. Contact Weirick Communications at 614.848.8380 or amy@weirickcommunications.com.