By LUELLA DOW
Contributor
Delight: something that gives great pleasure or joy.
Not a bad definition for a scoop or two of homemade “super premium” ice cream in your favorite flavor.
Fred and Gail Pollard, most recently from Florida, made a quick scan of Cheney, rolled up their sleeves and transformed a little shop on First Street into Cheney Delights.
Of course, it took more than the wand of a fairy godmother to bring it about.
In Florida, the Pollards were the managers for low-income property.
“It ground us down,” Fred Pollard said. “In that part of Florida, you encounter so much drugs and prostitution. We wanted to find something else. I spoke to a friend from Spokane. He said, ‘What you're looking for is in Spokane County, Washington.'”
The Pollards headed for Eastern Washington and “fell in love with Cheney.” In fact, as you visit the Pollards, the phrase “a sense of community” keeps popping up.
They made an appointment with former Mayor Amy Jo Sooy, talked to Charlie Dotson of Cheney's Pathways to Progress and came away with three viable alternatives: a new movie theater, a clothing store or an ice cream parlor.
“The movie theater wasn't feasible, and I couldn't get excited about selling pants,” Fred Pollard said. But the idea of an ice cream parlor made him begin to dream.
The Pollards have two daughters, Annamarie, 10, and Marieanne, who is 7. The girls have settled nicely into Betz School. Two family dogs, an Australian sheepherder named Jasmine and Sam, a retriever mix, round out the family who live not far out of town.
Cheney Delights, along with the Pita Pit and Tree of Knowledge bookstore, is sponsoring a Harry Potter festival on July 20.
Pollard said, “It's a community party with raffles and contests and special Harry Potter ice cream from noon to midnight.”
When Pollard says special ice cream, he's not joking.
“For instance,” he said. “You tell me your birthday is coming up and you say, ‘I want jalapeno peach ice cream' (really?) And two days later, we'll have it for you.”
“Super premium ice cream is made from real cream, eggs, milk, and sugar. Our gelato ice cream is made with real milk and eggs,” Pollard explains.
Already, Cheney Delights has entertained field trips from Betz School, a home school and day care center. Gail Pollard works with the children. They can stir their own sections of ice cream and help to make cookies from scratch. A tour of the shop completes their trip.
The Pollards decided to display works from area artists on the walls. An old-fashioned jukebox lights up and twinkles as it plays. A big screen projector catches the kids' eyes with cartoon characters. The side yard has been converted from a weed patch to a thriving lawn with outdoor tables. More additions and improvements are in the works as fast as the Pollards can implement them.
An ever-expanding line of other foods, including hot dogs, salads, meat sandwiches, etc., complement the ice cream.
The friendly staff includes Greg, in charge of hot foods, Gail, in charge of baked items, and Fred, in charge of cold items. The day we visited, he had just added cotton candy to the menu.
Although Fred Pollard's days are busy, he has another interest. He said, “I'd like to start an alternative energy club.”
Gail is interested in scrap booking, which brings out her artistic talent.
Cheney Delights is open from noon to 9:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and on Saturdays until 10 p.m. They are closed Sundays and Mondays.
We're glad you didn't get excited about “selling pants” Fred Pollard. You and your family expanded our “sense of community.”
Thank you.
Luella Dow is a local author and can be reached at [email protected]
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