New twist on ice cream truck in Appleton
By: Millaine Wells
Updated: June 20, 2012
APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) - On a hot day the sounds of an ice cream truck are music to your ears.
One Fox Cities man has a twist on the old tradition.
"When we hear him we come running" says one exuberant five year old.
To the delight of kids and adults, Mister Walt comes pedaling down the road on his ice cream bike.
"If I go out twice, afternoon and evening, I put on between 15 and 19 miles" explains Gary Wondrash affectionately known as "Mister Walt".
"In the morning my wife when I wake up says I look like Walter Matthau. Not young Walter Matthau, but a Grumpy Old Man Walter Matthau" says Wondrash.
This "Walt" is anything but Grumpy.
Gary is a full time gym teacher.
His passion for kids and exercise makes this the perfect summer job.
"I will go by and old couple sitting on the porch and they will say I haven't seen that in years, and it brings back memories" says Wondrash. "They hear the music and it just brings them back to a time when they were younger, a much simpler time".
"I probably would sell more, but typically I am talking with people for five or ten minutes. I have developed some pretty good friendships on the route, people I never knew before".
Most of Walt's treats are just a dollar.
He posts updates about his location on facebook. Click here for a link.
