Craving summer? Melon ice cream on sale

Good news: You don't have to wait until summer to start stocking up.The Milan Melon Festival committee is selling half-gallons of its trademark cantaloupe ice cream and watermelon sherbet until Feb. 18. It's the only time the committee will offer the desserts outside of the festival.Profits will fund the Milan Melon Festival Volunteer Scholarship, a $750 award given to a civic-minded senior graduating Edison High School. Seniors can apply for the award in the high school office."We wanted to create a scholarship for someone who believed in giving back to the community like we do," festival chairperson Joy Nickoli said.The scholarship fundraiser, started in 2011, is a work-in-progress project, Nickoli said.Last year the committee sold 310 half-gallons of ice cream and sherbet, a number it hopes to top this year by offering online sales. If sales continue to increase, Nickoli said the committee may divide the volunteer scholarship into two annual awards in the future."We'd love to expand it," she said. "We already have some customers stocking up because they miss the ice cream so much throughout the year, so sales are looking good right now." Want to order? What: Milan Melon Festival cantaloupe ice cream or watermelon sherbet Why: Fund a scholarship for a graduating Edison High School senior Cost: $6.50 for half-gallon How: Call 419-499-2498 or go to www.milanmelonfestival.org When: Orders accepted until Feb. 18 Pickup: March 9, 9-11 a.m., Toft's truck at Milan Village Square Register File Photo