The Sweetest Job
by Mary Lancaster • Independent Writer
Now I understand why Ben Shelton's favorite thing to do is go to work. Who could resist a job where everyone you meet is excited to see you, greets you with ear to ear grins and sometimes literally jumps up and down for joy?

By serving ice cream and bringing joy to youngsters across the island, Mary - if only for an evening - reconsiders a life behind a computer screen.

Shelton is the Ice Cream Man and makes the rounds of island neighborhoods in an old, spiffed up truck decorated with surfboards and announces his presence with '60s surfer music and a ship's bell mounted on the inside of the passenger door.

On Saturday night, Shelton let this reporter ride along as the Ice Cream Lady and official bell ringer, though to my surprise that duty took some practice. "Ring it a lot and loud," he told me, calling me a rookie ringer. "You gotta ring that bell so they can hear it."

As we set out about 6:30 p.m. (he waits until kids have finished supper) heading down Somerset Lane and on to the Bartlett Road area, Shelton explained that he has worked in the restaurant business, had an auto parts store in Mexico, crewed on a charter fishing boat and helped build the Cisco Brewery and distillery, but always dreamed of having an ice cream truck. Three weeks ago that dream became reality when his converted 1970 Greenwood Alarms truck passed health inspections and he took to the streets. Shelton, 44, said he is in it for the pleasure, and not to make a big profit.

PHOTOS BY ROB BENCHLEY/The Independent

"I've always wanted to do one so I decided why the hell not, to get it out of my system," he said, as the truck was waved down on Norquarta Drive by several smiling children. "The idea is to break even. If I make money that's even better, but it's so much fun. There's nothing for kids on Nantucket - I had no idea they would go bonkers when they see it. It is the funnest job I've ever had."

The kids crowd to the truck's open window that on one side displays photos Shelton has taken of his young customers and on the other side holds a list of his frozen treats, including the popular Chipwich and Choco-Taco, as well as the famous Fudgesicle and orange Creamsicle, chocolate coated ice cream bars, the Firecracker popsicle and assorted Cisco sodas. Shelton allowed me to take the children's orders so I could experience the excitement for myself.

On Nobska Way, Shelton talked animatedly with Taylor Boniv who rang the truck's small outside bell while his sister Magie Boniva ran in their house to get change from their mother. On another street Shelton pointed out a boy who is a regular customer who he said does "the best ice cream dance I've ever seen."

"Everybody is happy to see me," said Shelton, who ironically happens to be lactose intolerant.

Although he was rained out a couple of days last week, Shelton generally follows a pattern of starting his rounds at about 10 a.m. by visiting various job sites where his ability to speak fluent Spanish helps him communicate with the island's many Latino workers. After that, he goes to Cisco and Miacomet Pond beaches for a couple of hours, parks for a while at Cisco Brewery, takes a little break, then begins his evening cruise through neighborhoods until dusk. On this night, he went in a little earlier than usual because he was hired to take the truck to a private function.

"Ice Cream Man, can you come tomorrow?" asks a child as we prepare to move along.

Back at the base, the consistently and infectiously jovial Shelton reaches deep into the truck's freezer and hands his guest a Choco-Taco. Not only was the ride my first experience as an Ice Cream Lady, that was my first Choco-Taco. I am not sure which I enjoyed most, but both

left me with sweet memories. I

Coof Café is a regular column that forces Independent staffers to lurch blindly from their comfort zones into island encounters that they have never tried before.We welcome suggestions for new experiences. Email: don@nantucketindependent.com.