They all came for ice cream

Anniversary social harkens back to the days of Gov. Pinchot By Marilyn Rosenthal MILFORD — “Mission accomplished! “ said Barbara J. Buchanan, president of the newly formed Grey Towers Heritage Association. And indeed, it was. The mission she was referring to was the association’s mission of recreating the community outreach traditions of the Pinchot Family and Grey Towers. This very successful event was the Community Ice Cream Social held on Saturday, Sept. 27 at Grey Towers. “It was community, community, and more community, “said Buchanan. The day marked the 45th Anniversary of the day when Dr. Gifford Bryce Pinchot turned over the keys to the front door of Grey Towers (his family home in Milford) to the American people, which the U.S. Forest Service now maintains. More than 400 folk came, talked, walked, sat, ate the free ice cream, and enjoyed the lovely music and the beautiful setting. Richard Paterson, Director of Grey Towers, gave the official welcome for those attending the memorable event. For some who remembered the original ice cream socials given by Gifford and Cornelia Pinchot in the 1930’s, it was like “being home again.” For others, it was the beginning of new memories for the future.” The free-flowing vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice cream, provided by Timothy Roberts, proprietor of The Dairy Bar, was delicious. Many people had two and three scoops. Music was provided by Aurelia at the piano and Adista Wightman singing. Much of the background music they played was of the 30s and 40s and helped conjure up the heritage of those earlier days at Grey Towers. In addition to the Community Ice Cream Social, there were free tours of the Mansion, as well as a short film showing President John F. Kennedy’s historic dedication of Grey Towers as a public landmark in his 1963 visit to Grey Towers. The film was shown throughout the day. It was raining the day of the Ice Cream Social and for most of the time, people sat under the newly built covered terrace area. But the crowd was friendly, comfortable, and relaxed. People talked in small groups and a few young singers and musicians took a turn at some musical entertainment. There was a tremendous amount of warmth and feeling of belonging to our community. And finally, toward the end of this lovely event, the sun came out. The Pinchots would have been proud. Mission accomplished.