The proper way to construct an Ice Cream Soda. At the age of 12, I
was instructed by my father in the ways to do many things. How to
properly sweep a floor, how to dust a bottle, how to wash a window,
and how to concoct a number of products using syrup, ice cream and
carbonated water. These were lessons impressed on David and I with
far more skill than we were capable of receiving, (our attention span
being some what shortened by the sun shining and swimming at Dead
Mans on Stockton Creek). I often wondered where Dad had learned such
magic as the properly constructed Root Beer Float, a Milk Shake, with
or with out malted milk, a Banana Split (which only occurred after
WWII because of the shortage of bananas), various flavors of Coke
Cola (no diet), Phosphates, Bromo Seltzers, Lime Aid, and so on, the
stock and trade of the Soda Jerk. (The jerk comes from the pulling
or jerking of the soda dispenser when constructing a proper soda, not
ones social standing).
The most important item at the Soda Fountain was the Ice Cream Soda.
First, a machine called the carbonator was located in the dirt
basement under the IOOF Hall, which injected Carbon Dioxide into
water to give it both a fizz and a fizzy taste. A CO2 tank was
attached to the machine which created the concoction. Carbonated
water was used not only for Sodas but also other fountain drinks such
as Coca-Cola, Root Beer and on. A tall, heavy, tapered glass would
be selected from the inventory that was stacked on plate glass
shelves on the back bar of the Soda Fountain. All the glasses had to
be washed and dried to be crystal clear and inviting. Inspection by
Father of the quality of preparation of the glasses could often
require re-washing and drying.
A part of the soda fountain was the syrup dispensers which were pumps
which would deliver a measured supply of the sweet flavor into the
bottom of the conical glass. Most soda fountains had such flavors as
Chocolate, Strawberry, Cherry, Vanilla and perhaps Lemon or Lime.
Thicker syrups such as Butterscotch, Caramel, Marshmallow, Chocolate
Fudge (heated), Strawberry topping, among others, were in containers
which would require a bent spoon to deliver to the sundae or
elsewhere. All of the containers were made of white crockery, very
smooth and slick for easy washing, with chrome tops or pumps and
spoons. All the spoons were the same size so as to measure the
amount delivered, as well as the pumps calibrated and set to deliver
a profitable dimension of product.
The syrup, say chocolate, would be squirted into the glass in the
premeasured amount. Next, one scoop of vanilla (or other flavor) ice
cream would be placed on top.
The skillful Soda Jerk would take a tea spoon to the ice cream and
syrup mixture, stirring until a smooth mixture was achieved. Next,
the carbonated water would be added as a heavy stream under pressure
which would mix with the ice cream syrup to make a frothy
combination. Into this mixture would be dropped two scoops of ice
cream and more carbonated water until a “head” was achieved. On top
was added whipped cream, if such was available, and a single
Maraschino Cherry. Properly done, the soda would slightly spill over
the side of the glass and trickle down to the base. Placed before
the unworthy patron on a single napkin or paper doilies with the
spoon sticking out almost finished the presentation. The Soda
Jerk would complete the performance by sliding the straw containing
jar over to the customer, slightly lifting the chrome top of the
vessel to reveal the straws which were raised above the top of the
jar by the bottom of device attached by a shaft to the top of the
instrument. Two straws were extracted and plunged into the Ice Cream
Soda preparatory to consumption. Thus the ice cream soda, with its
sharp bubbly and sweet taste fulfills its purpose.
It took years to master the proper construction of the various
creations of the Soda Jerk. Sadly, after we moved the Drug Store
into the new building in l959, we kept the Soda Fountain for only one
year. You see, the problem was that our Soda Fountain had become the
gathering place for Mariposa County Government officials, waiting for
the mail truck to arrive. They would order one cup of nickel coffee,
with free refills, and when the mail was mostly late, sit there until
almost eleven o’clock. It was said that more business was conducted
at that soda fountain than at the Court House. It was the one place
that various constituents could be assured of finding the various
elected officials and department heads, during the course of the day.
Being creatures of habit, they could not pass on the nickel coffee with many refills and the mail each day.
Next to or near the Soda Fountain, was the liquor department.
During inclement weather, half pints of Old Crow disappeared into
overcoats before returning to the days duties at the old and drafty
Court House. Their habits were well known and the bookkeeper would
jot down their selection for the day. Also next to the Soda Fountain
was a series of drawers which contained many item considered to be
obsolete. Old ice cream scoops, teaspoons, unidentifiable metal
objects (probably from the soda fountain itself). In those days many
metal objects had a high degree of lead amalgam. For example, the
tubs that we made ice in by filling at closing time with hot water
and placing in the freezer. My Father always instructed that hot
water freezes faster than cold, so I believed him. So it was hot
water according to instructions. Every new Soda Jerk wanted to
object to the use of hot water for making ice but Father prevailed.
To make ice suitable for use in soda drinks, we had an ice pick with
five points which was used to crack and chip the frozen hot water.
The sound of chipping ice indicated activity at the soda stand. All
fountain drinks and syrups started as concentrates which had to be
diluted or mixed into the intended result.
For example, Coca-Cola came in thick syrup in cases of four gallons.
We would have a Coke dispenser which was hooked to the carbonator
which mixed the syrup and gas filled water to the proper proportions.
This device was attached to the soda fountain counter so that it had
a prominent place and became the center piece advertising its
product at almost every soda fountain in the nation. We were a
Rexall Store so our chocolate syrup had the name of $50,000 Syrup
because it won a prize somewhere as the best. To dilute various
syrups for proper use they had to be mixed with simple syrup. This
syrup was made by taking a large jar, about one gallon, filling it to
the top with sugar which we bought in 50 lb bags, and add water until
one had created a super saturated solution of sugar syrup. This was
used to dilute the various products.
In those drawers next to the soda fountain, Father kept the top part
or title pages of various magazines and books which did not sell.
Most, in fact at one time all, magazines and newspapers were
guaranteed sale. Those which Dad did not want to put onto the
newsstand for one reason or another would also wind up in that drawer
for return to the various news companies. One such magazine was the
national periodical of the most popular nudist organization, Sunshine
and Health. Although the subjects were in the all together, doing
activities which normally dressed individuals did, like playing
volleyball, they would be pictured with those portions of the bodies
not thought to be appropriate for a family Drug Store blurred out.
Most nudists, it was reported, were vegetarians but they still seemed
somewhat fat, although not by today’s standards. Anyway, the
magazine was delivered every month and stuck into the drawer. This
is where I learned one of the first rules of advertising. If you
want someone to take notice of something that is slightly off center,
tell them that they can’t see or have it. Sure to peak interest.
Until the arrival of Dr. Arthur Waller, Dad would fill approximately
two prescriptions a day. Therefore, it was important to sell
everything from tooth paste, Swamp Root, Ice Cream, Spirits,
Dandelion Root, Lydia Pinkhams, Boric Acid, Talc, Sulpher, Black Leg
Vaccine, and dime novels. Dime novels came in two subjects. First
were the adventures of men of the west. Then the second was space
features with shapely young ladies in constant threat. The paper
that these were printed on was like poor quality news print. The
covers were done by some graphic artist with a wild imagination. The
dime novels were about the size of the National Geographic and had
advertising in them, mostly for Charles Atlas. For those who don’t
know, Charles Atlas, as a young man, had sand kicked in his face on
the beach by a bully. He took up “Dynamic Tension” and became an
early example of a magnificent male, capable of lashing the bully who
tried to embarrass him. Other advertisements were for mechanical
devices which would remove pimples from adolescent skin. Fact is
that Charles Atlas eventually advertised in many magazines and I
remember a photo of him with the weight of the world on his back.
One of my jobs was to sweep the store every evening. The wooden
floor had been treated with oil to keep down the dust. We would buy
floor sweep, which looked like green sawdust, and I would use this to
sweep up the days mud and dirt from farmers boots and an occasional
dose of chewing tobacco which would wind up in the corners. When my
father put a new tile floor (red and white) in the drug store, the
first gentleman who was looking for a corner to deposit his tobacco
laced lugi got a stern admonishment from my mother to not spit on her
new floor. I think in her own way, my mother brought more
civilization to Mariposa than any one. She insisted on the men
behaving themselves, control the swearing, and dispose of Brown’s
Mule before entering the premises.
That first Drug Store in the IOOF building was a wonder to grow up
in. The sights, smells and sounds of a small but active community
buzzed all day long. And add to that the visits from my teacher,
Alice Ellingham, to have a discussion with my Father about my
activities at Mariposa Elementary. She was tougher on me than I was
on her and I loved her very much. She could be a mean as sin, and
give you a smile and wink that would melt your tough hide. No one
could replace her in my heart, and yet if I was to be a real man, I
could not give into her attempts to tame all of the boy in her
presence.
By the way, Alice never had any children of her own, that is
biologically’ but then she really did have hundreds for there were so
many of us who benefited from her presence more than any will ever
know. So now you know how to make a real ice cream soda.
Leroy Radanovich
Leroy Radanovich Email:
Leroy Radanovich
To Read More By Leroy Radanovich:
Leroy Radanovich's Mariposa Life Archives
To learn much more about Mariposa County along with
historical photos:
A signed copy of "Images of America" - Mariposa County,
By Leroy Radanovich can be purchased at his web site:
Radanovich Galleria & Books
This is a early day photo of the Mariposa Mine in
Mariposa County
that is mentioned in the article to
the left by Mr. Radanovich.
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa in 1920
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa County Courthouse written by Leroy Radanovich and
Scott Pinkerton is a book about the oldest courthouse in California that is still in use today.
The book is signed by Leroy Radanovich.
To purchase the book:
Radanovich Galleria & Books
Mariposa in 1860
This photo and others can be purchased in various sizes.
All prints are archivally printed on fiber based paper, given a selenium wash which renders the photographs permanent with a
warm tone ready for framing
Radanovich Galleria & Books