Carlie Penson, right, was named the 2009 State Homemade Ice Cream Champion,
with her "Almond Praline" confection, Saturday. Runner-up was Billy Jack
Allen, with a Banana Nut variety.

 

Carlie Penson Takes State Ice Cream
Title With "Almond Praline"

 

by: Bobby McDonald

Photo Assistance by Rachel English

 

Ice cream never looked so good! When folks had watched the Milking Contest in Saturday's 90 degree weather and over 60% humidity, without a doubt, they were ready to "cool off" with some tasty, homemade ice cream! And, ice cream makers from Hopkins County made certain that they had over 65 freezers of the tasty concoction ready to sample. Cups were sold for $3.00 each and you "tasted until you dropped!"

It was the miraculous concoction of almonds and praline syrup that wowed the judges, as they named Carlie Penson the winner of this year's 2009 event, in the Super Scoop Division. And, it was former winner, Billy Jack Allen, a longtime Hopkins County dairy farmer and expert ice cream maker, that won the runner-up position with his Banana Nut confection.

Tami Armstrong won the popular, People's Choice award, that was determined by the votes of the public. She had an unusual "Pomagranite" concoction, that won the votes of the people in the crowd.

Tami Armstrong won the "People's Choice Award" with her
"Pomagranite" variety of ice cream.

 

In the Big Dip Novelty, it was Henry Penson, that won the category with his "Pecan Pie" recipe, with Jimmy Don Allen's "Caramel Pecan" gathering the second prize. Allen's "Butter Pecan" also took the third prize in the category.

 

Henry Penson's "Pecan Pie" entry won the Big Dip Novelty Category.

 

 

In the Big Dip Fruit category, it was Tonya Ross, who took the first prize with her "Creamy Strawberry" confection, and Ryan Henton won second prize with his Strawberry variety. Third prize was won by Vickie Pickel.

 

Winners in the Big Dip Fruit category included: Vickie Pickel, Tonya Ross, and
Ryan Henton.

 

In the Big Dip Plain category, Carlie Penson, took the first prize with her Chocolate entry. Second prize was won by Chris Allen with her Chocolate confection and Tori Cotton was named third prize winner with a Vanilla entry.

In the Little Dip category for "Novelty," it was Mandy Eckhart that was named the winner with her "Turtle Cheesecake" mixture. Second prize was won by Norris English, with his "Big Red Strawberry" variety.

 

Mandy Eckhart, right, took the first prize in the Little Dip Novelty category,
with her Turtle Cheesecake ice cream, while Norris English took the second
prize with his Big Red Strawberry variety.

 

In the Little Dip Fruit category, it was Ryden and Addison Caddell who advanced to the top of the cream with their Peach variety of ice cream. Second prize was won by Tori Dorner, with another Peach entry.

 

It was Ryder and Addison Caddell, right, whose combined efforts with a Peach concoction
won them first prize in the Little Dip Fruit Category. 2nd prize was won by Tori Dorner,
with another Peach flavored entry.

 

 

In the Little Dip Plain category, it was Lucy Walters, of Reilly Springs, who bested the other entries with her "Creamy Vanilla" variety. Second prize was won by Ann Marie Dorner, with her chocolate entry.

 

Lucy Walters, right, won the Little Dip Plain Category, with her Creamy Vanilla
mixture, and Ann Marie Dorner, left, won 2nd prize with her Chocolate entry.

 

Congratulations to all of Saturday's winners and they certainly made loads of people happy with their ice cream making skills, on a hot summer day!

 

But, "the proof was in the eating" and this crowd looks like they enjoyed every bite!!!!

 

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