# Ice Cream Crankin’ event shows growing support

  


Pete Shoger, campus pastor for Southcrest Church in Newnan, which will be opening a campus in LaGrange in September, hands out some of the church's maple and bacon ice cream during the Miss Emma's Ice Cream Crankin' event downtown Sunday. With him are, from left, church member Peggy Scott; his son, Benjamin Shoger; wife Angie Shoger and daughter Jo Shoger. The church was a sponsor for Sunday's event and won best original recipe ice cream.

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Pete Shoger, campus pastor for Southcrest Church in Newnan, which will be opening a campus in LaGrange in September, hands out some of the church's maple and bacon ice cream during the Miss Emma's Ice Cream Crankin' event downtown Sunday. With him are, from left, church member Peggy Scott; his son, Benjamin Shoger; wife Angie Shoger and daughter Jo Shoger. The church was a sponsor for Sunday's event and won best original recipe ice cream.

Sgt. Kelli Ellington of the Troup County Sheriff's Office hands out a sample of the group's strawberry ice cream to Katelynn Harris, 6, during Sunday's event. The sheriff's office took the best overall ice cream as well as best fruit ice cream.

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Sgt. Kelli Ellington of the Troup County Sheriff's Office hands out a sample of the group's strawberry ice cream to Katelynn Harris, 6, during Sunday's event. The sheriff's office took the best overall ice cream as well as best fruit ice cream.

The ice cream 'crankers' and organizers of Sunday's event stand after winners are announced.

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The ice cream 'crankers' and organizers of Sunday's event stand after winners are announced.

A train provided by Laser Sporting of Georgia rounds Lafayette Square.

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A train provided by Laser Sporting of Georgia rounds Lafayette Square.

Organizers for the third annual Miss Emma’s Ice Cream Crankin’ event said it was a big success, with more sponsors and supporters showing up even if the crowd was slightly smaller.

  


Jessica David, interim director of Emmaus House and organizer of the event, said that the event grossed more than $3,000 for the Emmaus Women’s Shelter. The shelter offers a safe place for homeless women and their families while also providing services to help them improve their quality of life.

  


David said new sponsors this year helped the event grow in community participation. Mike Patton Auto was title sponsor for the event and the LaGrange Housing Authority and West Georgia Auburn Club were new sponsors and participants in the ice cream contest.

  


The Auburn club took home best chocolate ice cream in the contest and brought Auburn University mascot Aubie the Tiger to the square for an appearance. The group also challenged other area alumni groups to step up as well, David said.

  


Toby Young’s Karate, Celtic Traditions School of Irish Dance and the Oakside Baptist Church children’s choir performed for the crowd and JOY FM DJ Benji Shepherd emceed the event. Laser Sporting of Georgia provided a train that children rode around the square.

  


Sponsors for the event were Lafayette Parkway Mini Storage, Pop’s Party Place, Thornton and Graham PC, Southcrest Church, Troup County Sheriff’s Office, Oakside Baptist Church, Golden’s Bike Shop, West Georgia Auburn Club and Laser Sporting of Georgia. There were 15 groups who provided homemade ice cream, with close to 400 guests, David said.

  


Among return participants in the ice cream contest were the Troup County Sheriff’s Office, which won both the best fruit-based ice cream and best overall this year, and LaGrange Mayor Jim Thornton. Newcomers Southcrest Church of Newnan, which will soon be opening a campus in LaGrange, took home most original with its maple and bacon ice cream.

  


Emmaus Women’s Shelter board chairman Jimmy Pruitt said the event was a big success, even if it seemed like there were fewer people that came out this year than last. He guessed the hot weather, with a heat index into the 100s, probably contributed to fewer people showing up, but noted ice cream was a great cure for summer heat.

  


The increase in sponsors and group support made the difference, Pruitt noted. He said sponsorship has continued to build each year.

  


David added that she was pleased with the results and hoped community sponsorship and participation will grow.

  


“It was just the best Ice Cream Crankin’ we’ve ever had because there was so much solid support from everyone who came out and so many new guests,” David said. “Soon I hope we’ll have 20 different groups. … It’s the least of those among us need the most help, and it warmed my heart to see so many people come out and support them that way.”