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Downtown visitors get big scoop of tradition at Village Ice Cream Parlor

Not a lot has changed at the Village Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Lebanon over the past 40 years, and the owners say that's just how they like it.

Linda Weisenborn/Staff Photographer Not a lot has changed at the Village Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Lebanon over the past 40 years, and the owners say that's just how they like it.

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ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Justin McClelland, Staff Writer 4:16 PM Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Despite serving moonwalkers and movie producers, when Sandy Fuston and Susan Alexander look back over the 40-year history of the Village Ice Cream Parlor in downtown Lebanon, they are most proud of how little has changed.

“Our goal has always been to provide a nice gathering place for the town,” said Fuston, who with Alexander co-own the Ice Cream Parlor. The sisters are celebrating the parlor’s 40th anniversary with a month of specials, as well as a private reunion of former employees. Their brother, newscaster Mike Hartsock, also owns a stake in the business, but is more a “silent partner.”

The Ice Cream Parlor was started by a downtown businessmen group called Greater Lebanon, charged with improving the downtown community and businesses. One way was to create the Ice Cream Parlor on the site of a closed grill.

“The goal, just at it is now, is to have a gathering place for friends and family,” Fuston said.

The parlor’s doors opened on July 4, 1969. Stocks in the parlor were sold to the Greater Lebanon business members at $100 a share. A Western Star article from that time reports people buying “8, 10 or 12 cones at a time.”

Despite this initial interest, early business was slow. Fuston and Alexander’s great-aunt, Clara Hull, was brought in to manage the business in 1971, sparking a turnaround. Hull’s niece and nephew, Phyllis and Dave Hartsock purchased the business in 1978.

Scenes from two films have been shot at the ice cream parlor: 1977’s “Harper Valley PTA” and 1993’s “Milk Money.”

Fuston recalled the shooting of “Milk Money” as being a pain.

“We would have to be here all night while they shot,” Fuston said. “Our cook made Ed Harris a ham sandwich at two in the morning.”

Among the famous clientele the Parlor has served includes Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.

“After the Challenger accident (in 1986) people started hounding him all over again and he couldn’t show his face here anymore,” Fuston said.

Despite the happenings, Fuston said she and her sister try to keep the store running the same as it always have.

“I think the tradition appeals to people,” Fuston said. “They get tired of malls and chains and the ice cream parlor provides an old-fashioned, at-home place.”

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