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Well, they say you can’t buy anything for a penny these days, but that wasn’t always true. In fact, back in 1900, a whole ice cream sandwich went for a penny. Yes, there was a time ice cream was a penny. This was in New York, where on this day in 1900, the ice cream sandwich was created. Stuck without ice cream cones and faced with some angry customers, a pushcart vendor took two milk biscuits and put the ice cream in between, selling the creation for a penny.

The idea took off and soon, pushcarts popped up around the city and country during the summer, selling similar things. They started getting creative. Once ice cream sandwiches became popular, recipes for home cooks filled the papers. The sandwich layers included everything from angel food and sponge cake to shortbread cookies. Restaurants even got involved, offering the ice cream sandwich as a decadent dessert for travelers. To be honest, it’s pretty fair to say people were attracted by the idea of ice cream for a penny. By 1940, grocers sold sandwiches made with crispy wafers.

So as you celebrate National Ice Cream Sandwich Day, think back to how it got started. And you can smile and think back to a time when it would have only cost a penny to buy the cold treat. 

There’s some more things to think about, as the calendar heads into August. And sure enough, it’s time to talk about one of those right here. Cedar Baptist Church, over at 3932 Bell Road, will celebrate this year’s homecoming this weekend, on Sunday, Aug. 4. Sunday School starts off at 10 a.m., with worship at 11 a.m. After that, lunch will follow, with a song service taking place at 1:30 p.m., featuring the group Glory Bound. 

It’s not the only thing involving Cedar Baptist that we need to share. The church will have a revival from Monday, Aug. 5 to Friday, Aug. 9, with music beginning at 7 p.m. each night and worship starting at 7:30 p.m. Floyd Reed and Worm Patterson will sing on Monday, with Tommy England on Tuesday, the Cedar Family on Wednesday, Barry Snoddy on Thursday and Andrew Bowles on Friday. 

Another thing this weekend to mark on your calendar will be the “Fun Day” at Buckingham Baptist Church. The church, located at 24234 North James Madison Highway in the Gold Hill area, will have the event for children ages 4 to 12 on Saturday, Aug. 3. That’ll run from noon to 4 p.m. with arts and crafts, games, food, a bounce house, bible study and music. For more information, you can call Jo Lang at 434-581-1948. 

Now next week, there’s going to be a benefit taking place. On Aug. 10 from 6 to 8 p.m., there will be a gospel music benefit for Josh Rayfield. Some of you may know the former Cumberland County deputy as Big Josh. He’s been dealing with serious health issues and so the community is helping out. The guest singers will be Smokey Wilson from Concord and True Spirit out of Richmond. Any donations can be sent to Tar Wallet Baptist Church, 150 Tar Wallet Road Cumberland; Va. 23040. Make checks payable to Tar Wallet Baptist Church and put in memo for Josh Rayfield.

And we have one last meeting to mention today, with the Buckingham County Christian Fellowship Association. The non-profit group will hold its monthly meeting on Aug. 12, beginning at 5 p.m. That’ll be at Arvon Baptist Church, located at 28350 North James Madison Highway in New Canton. The special guest pastor will be Alan Gough, Pastor of Tar Wallet Baptist Church, who will deliver the devotions. Special guest Nancy Fairchild of New Canton will provide the special music. Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish for the meal. 

Finally today, we have a number of birthdays and anniversaries to mention. A happy birthday goes out to Marion B. Scott of Dillwyn, who celebrates on Aug. 2; Reva Allen Moore of Cumberland, whose birthday is Aug. 4; Cheyenne Gough of Wingina, who celebrates on Aug. 7 and also on Aug. 7 is Barbara Daniels of Cumberland. Danielle Edwards of Henrico celebrates on Aug. 9. Then on Aug. 11, Kevin Marion of Cumberland, Peggy Emmert of Prospect and Shirley Gates of Alexandria all celebrate. 

As for anniversaries, we have two this month. A happy anniversary to Danny and Denna Boyles of Cumberland, who celebrate on Aug. 4. We also wish a happy anniversary to Wayne and Sue Lopscomb of Cumberland, who will celebrate on Aug. 28.

Annie May Miles is the columnist for Trent’s Mill. She can be reached at fatcat091@verizon.net.