Ice Cream Block Party A Real Scream In Ewa

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Sheryl Murphy (back row in blue apron) and her Ewa Beach neighbors enjoy some sweet summer treats during an ice cream block party, courtesy of Dreyer’s. Photo from Sheryl Murphy.

As Ewa Beach resident Sheryl Murphy hung invitations on the 35 doors on Kauoha Place cul-desac, people wondered, “What’s the catch?”

The July 12 invitation for free ice cream in front of her home was part of Murphy’s prize for being one of eight in Hawaii to win an ice cream block party from Dreyer’s in its fourth annual Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute, a sweet way for entrants to share memories and make some new ones while enjoying the brand’s Slow Churned Light ice cream.

After digging through more than 19,000 entries, Dreyer’s judges picked out Murphy’s essay, which cited the kindness of her neighbors when she and her husband, Matthew, moved in three years ago:

“Our street names are Kauoha Street, Kauoha Way and Kauoha Place. ‘Kauoha’ is the Hawaiian word for ‘command,’ but we don’t really order people around! We’re asking nicely ... please, could you award us a Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute ice cream block party? Mahalo (that’s ‘thank you’) for your consideration!”

Hoping to get to know her neighbors better and to see if any of them might be interested in the community policing program, Murphy scooped up the fun and friendship with 60 of her Kauoha area neighbors, including citizen’s patrol coordinators Nancy and Jake Jacobsen and their son, Robert. Honolulu police officer Tony Pacheco, who partners with the citizens patrol, was also on hand.

For now on Kauoha Place, the invitations are gone and the ice cream is put away.But the ice cream scooper Murphy received from Dreyer’s has become her new favorite kitchen accessory.

“I love this metal scoop that they sent with the Dreyer’s logo on the handle,” she gushed. “I’m a firm believer in microwaving ice cream before serving it.But there is a heat-transferring liquid in the handle that brings the heat to the scoop, and it makes ice cream so easy to scoop.”

Other winning Hawaii neighborhoods were Kaneohe, Laie, Mililani and Honolulu. While Dreyer’s will deliver to Mainland winners, Hawaii partyers received coupons for ice cream, tablecloths, napkins, disposable cameras, bowls and spoons for 100 people at their own ice cream parties, which are being held between July 12 and Sept. 13.

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