Ballantyne - Crazy Ice Cream Man STILL Going! (Kings Mountain, King: cul-de-sac, homes)

[diertac]

Does anyone else live in Ballantyne and know this guy?

He drives around in his little yellow van, playing what I call "creepy clown music" out of his loudspeaker, circling into every cul-de-sac and down every street over and over again.

In July it was annoying but quaint, a reminder of the ice cream man that came around in the summer when I was growing up.

August & September, the incessant patrolling of our neighborhood and creepy clown music became grating.

By October, the continued trolling of kids to buy ice cream up and down our streets seemed desperate.

But today, November FREAKING 2nd, it seems downright dangerous. Here it is, at dusk, barely any light left in the evening, and sure enough, as I stroll down to my mailbox to get my mail after work, I see two headlights coming up our street, and the annoying strains of creepy clown music! Seriously, at this point he seems more like a criminal than a quaint little throwback to the olden days.

I know times are tough for everyone and we all have to work harder to make ends meet, but trolling neighborhoods for kids who want ice cream, in cold temperatures and after dark? That just isn't right.

[sophialee]

He was in my neighborhood last week.

[Chromekitty]

With the scenario that you have described, my concerns would be more geared towards that perhaps at this time of the evening, he had children out buying ice cream from him (he isn't just out there driving around out of boredom he needs to make money), instead of in their homes doing homework or having supper. Makes me wonder where mom and dad are....

[diertac]

While I'm sure I could be wrong, I can't imagine he is getting that much business.

When I was a kid, the ice cream man was something special, an event that caused us to stop playing in the yard to run to our moms for quarters. He didn't come by that often. This guy, every single day, sometimes multiple times per day. I know the music has to drive some people crazy as well, and I can't imagine parents letting their kids out after dark to go jump into the street on a cold fall night for a frozen treat!

Has anyone ever seen this guy stopped, with buyers? I haven't.

[sophialee]

Originally Posted by diertac

While I'm sure I could be wrong, I can't imagine he is getting that much business.

When I was a kid, the ice cream man was something special, an event that caused us to stop playing in the yard to run to our moms for quarters. He didn't come by that often. This guy, every single day, sometimes multiple times per day. I know the music has to drive some people crazy as well, and I can't imagine parents letting their kids out after dark to go jump into the street on a cold fall night for a frozen treat!

Has anyone ever seen this guy stopped, with buyers? I haven't.

Well he was here last weekend during the day, I think. It was definitely light out. In the summer it's almost everyday.

[Chromekitty]

I really can't say about this ice cream truck....I wouldn't see this particular guy as we are in
Gaston County, just across the river. But, I can tell you that we have one truck that comes through all year long. In the fall and winter on nice days he is out and about and kids do buy from him.

I know what you mean about it being a treat when we were kids...these days is MUCH different. *sigh*

[Charles22]

After driving around for all those years playing the ice cream truck song the guy probably has gone crazy. Isn't that one of the songs they play in GTMO to break down the terrorists?

[CVP]

I think your ice cream guy heads south to Indian Land as well. Does the creepy clown music also include an odd-sounding toot toot of a whistle? I laughed when I read your post because I just commented to my husband about it when it went through...yet again...the other day. I can't blame them for wanting to continue the season as long as possible, but I totally agree with you regarding the safety and strangeness of it!

[North_Raleigh_Guy]

Originally Posted by diertac

Does anyone else live in Ballantyne and know this guy?

He drives around in his little yellow van, playing what I call "creepy clown music" out of his loudspeaker, circling into every cul-de-sac and down every street over and over again.

In July it was annoying but quaint, a reminder of the ice cream man that came around in the summer when I was growing up.

August & September, the incessant patrolling of our neighborhood and creepy clown music became grating.

By October, the continued trolling of kids to buy ice cream up and down our streets seemed desperate.

But today, November FREAKING 2nd, it seems downright dangerous. Here it is, at dusk, barely any light left in the evening, and sure enough, as I stroll down to my mailbox to get my mail after work, I see two headlights coming up our street, and the annoying strains of creepy clown music! Seriously, at this point he seems more like a criminal than a quaint little throwback to the olden days.

I know times are tough for everyone and we all have to work harder to make ends meet, but trolling neighborhoods for kids who want ice cream, in cold temperatures and after dark? That just isn't right.

Thanks for the laugh. This is without a doubt the funniest post I have read here in a long time.

[southbound_295]

Originally Posted by Chromekitty

I really can't say about this ice cream truck....I wouldn't see this particular guy as we are in
Gaston County, just across the river. But, I can tell you that we have one truck that comes through all year long. In the fall and winter on nice days he is out and about and kids do buy from him.

I know what you mean about it being a treat when we were kids...these days is MUCH different. *sigh*

I think your ice cream guy wanders over here to Kings Mountain. We also have a guy who wanders the streets with a push cart, which I thought was great. In the 1950s, we had the guys with the pushcarts selling ice cream, in Michigan, & hadn't seen it since, except on a rare visit to the parts of the Jersey shore where the South Jersey people go.