Last year on the last Sunday in August, I visited the Southwest Hills Residential League (SWHRL, one of the 95 neighborhoods served by the Office of Neighborhood Involvement) Ice Cream Social.  As it turned out, they were short on volunteers, so I grabbed a scoop and a pair of serving gloves, and happily dished out gallon upon gallon of ice cream for neighbors.  I enjoyed the experience so much, that I asked organizer and neighborhood stalwart Lee Doss if I could serve again today.  What a beautiful afternoon for this event!

Lincoln High School Jazz Ensemble

Photo from Caroline Marnoch & Bob Carey, parents of two of the musicians

There was much more than ice cream provided this year.  Lamb's Market at Stroheckers (since 1902), the neighborhood's beloved grocery store, donated a feast of burgers and dogs for both carnivores and vegetarians, plus salads, watermelon, and root beer floats.  Beaverton Bakery provided six types of cupcakes which disappeared as if by magic.  Many thanks to Lamb's Store Director Mike DiPari and his workers for donating both food and staffing for the event.  I know the neighbors  reciprocate by patronizing the store... especially in the winter when driving the steep roads into and out of the neighborhood is close to impossible. Thanks also to the Lincoln High School Jazz Band for providing beautiful music, to the Portland Office of Emergency Management and Bureau of Environmental Services for staffing information tables, and to all the children of the neighborhood who said, "please" and "thank you" so politely.  Fellow ice cream scooper Kelly Reese and I particularly appreciated that.

After the SWHRL picinic, I stopped by the Hawthorne Street Fair, tabled with House Democrats volunteers, and shopped.  A very nice set of experiences in Portland on a sunny Sunday afternoon.