On a hot summer’s day, there just can’t be a better job in all the world than working in an “ice cream shop.”

Ann Paul, assistant manager of the local Braum’s store, agrees that ice cream and summer go hand in hand.

“I usually eat ice cream, in some form, every day,” she proudly admits.

Working in an ice cream shop is more than just holding a job — it’s making people happy, sheßßl said.

“We have people of all ages in here to get ice cream,” Ann says. “We get kids from games and activities at school and from the swimming pool throughout the day. And, in the evening, we get lots of families and adults.”

Ann, who grew up in Michigan, came to Neosho three years ago. Although she had never worked in an ice cream shop before, she had experience in fast food.

“I managed a Subway before we moved down here,” she said. “I like doing the ice cream better. It’s a lot of hard work, but in some ways it’s easier. Everyone here works hard.”

Ann, her husband and their four children, are happy about the move to Missouri from Michigan.

“We love it here,” she said. “We were looking for a different lifestyle, and this is just perfect for us.”

Two of Ann’s children are out of high school, but the other two are still students at area schools. One will enter Neosho schools this fall and one is at Westview.

In the ice cream business, there are busy times. Seasonally, summer is the busy time as people seek out a milkshake or a dish of ice cream to cool off. But measured in daytime hours, evening is the busiest time of day. After dark, there is usually a crowd if there is some event in town, such as a concert or a festival of some kind. And most everyone orders some kind of ice cream to cap off their day.

While the most popular ice cream is the old standard — vanilla — Ann says her favorite is chocolate chip.

During some seasons, there are flavors that can only be found at that special time of year.

“During the Christmas season, our most popular flavors are egg nog and pumpkin,” she says. “People also buy peppermint ice cream, but we actually have that all year long.”

Even though ice cream cones are popular, Ann says the single more popular ice cream treat is a milkshake or a malt. Asked the difference between a shake and a malt, she explained that adding malt powder to a shake sweetens it and adds more flavor.

While most people think of dairy products when they think of Braum’s, Ann says their grocery line is very popular, especially with older people who get bread and other groceries when they come to buy ice cream. And besides the traditional hand-dipped ice cream, the store also sells soft ice cream, yogurt and sherbet.

So, when you feel the sweat on your brow and you need something cool, stop by and say hello to Today’s Woman, Ann Paul. She makes a really fine banana split!