Henry Penson, far right, captured the State Champion Ice Cream title, on Saturday, as his family swept the top
categories in the contest. His wife, Carlie Penson, center, took the runner-up position with her delicious concoction and
grandaughter, Tori Cotton, took honors with frozen delights, as well.

Penson Family "Sweeps" Ice Cream Contest

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

"Show me the ice cream".....these two children were like so many others at Saturday's Ice Cream Freeze-Off,
the were looking for some delicious ice cream at ever table they approached.

 

It was a great day to consume some of the world's best ice cream and attempt to beat Saturday's hot and muggy weather, and it proved to be a great day for the Henry Penson Family of the Seymore Community of Hopkins County, as well. Henry Penson brought his "Pecan Pie" recipe to town and wowed the judges into the top prize in Saturday's contest, to beat out over 75 other entries. However, the "sweetest" prize was receiving a higher score than his wife, Carlie, in some stiff family competition. Carlie Penson won the runner-up position with her famous "Almond Praline" frozen concoction. And, granddaughter, Tori Cotton, placed second in the Big Dip Novelty section with her "Caramel and Snicker" recipe.  "It was a good day for us!" expressed an humble Henry Penson, upon winning the contest. "I've been telling Carlie that mine was better. Maybe now she'll believe me. But, the great part is that she'll start to work on trying to beat me next year and I'll get to taste all of the ice cream over the next year. It's a pretty well 'win-win' situation for me, for the next year!"

 

Debra Evans and Yvonne King were the envy of all their friends, as they sat beneath the shade of
the tent and sampled all of the delicious ice cream, on Saturday, as judges.

 

With over 75 entries in the contest it was hard for judges to pick just one winner. "It's a rough job, but somebody has to do it!" exclaimed Yvonne King and Debra Evans, as they sat at Saturday's judging table and prepared to sample. "We've got probably one of the best jobs in town!"

 

More of those who served as judges for Saturday's contest, including the owners of Plain and Fancy Sandwich Shoppe,
and The Winery, both with culinary experience.

 

 

"They tell us that if there is a tie, all of us at the table have to re-sample the ice cream," reported Stacy Cody, father of Dairy Festival Queen, Katelyn Cody, and one of the judges. "There's going to be several ties at this table. I can feel it coming-on!

 

 

"Bring on the cream!" expresses Stacy Cody, father of Dairy Festival Queen, Katelyn Cody,
who served as one of the official judges, in Saturday's Ice Cream Contest.

 

"This is about the best part that I can think of about being the Queen's father," continued Cody. "It sure beats building on a float and milking a cow!"

Winners in Saturday's large contest were:

Texas State Ice Cream Champion, Henry Penson, "Pecan Pie"

Runner-Up State Champion, Carlie Penson, "Almond Praline"

 

David Stribling, Jr. (left) with help from Colton Morrow, won the
People's Choice Award for their Plain Vanilla concoction.

Big Dip Novelty Category

Patty Massengale, 3rd Place, "Peanut Butter Cup"

Tori Cotton, 2nd Place, "Caramel Snickers"

Paige Crouch, 1st Place, "Butter Pecan"

 

Big Dip Fruit Category

Landon Dorner, 3rd Place, Strawberry

Carlie Penson, 2nd Place, Strawberry

Ryan Henton (represented by Mother, Linda Henton, 1st Place, Strawberry

 

 

Big Dip Plain Category

Carlie Penson, 3rd Place, Chocolate

Tori Cotton, 2nd Place, Vanilla

Chris Allen, 1st Place, Chocolate

 

Little Dip Novelty Category

Anne Marie Dorner, 2nd Place, "Party Cake"

Danielle Hughes, 1st Place, "Mexican Chocolate Brownie"

 

Little Dip Fruit Category

McKenna Wiler, 2nd Place, Strawberry

Tori Dorner, 1st Place, Peach

 

 

Little Dip Plain Category

1st Place Luke Walters, Vanilla

 

But, "hands down," the best part of Saturday's contest was going from freezer to freezer and
tasting all of the frozen concoctions!

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