Living, driving the American Dream

Last spring, a few months before graduating from Post Falls High School, Eli Gondo was brainstorming with his parents, Ed and Sarah, on how to make a longtime dream to start and run his own business a reality. It had to be something seasonal that he could operate during summers off from college. He’s now a Whitworth University business/economics major.

Eli is also a football player of some renown … a two-time Inland Empire all-league running back who ranked in the top three in Idaho for rushing yards his final two years in high school. He’ll suit up as a fullback for Whitworth.

Fast forward to July and Eli has another title, ice cream man! For the past few weeks he’s been out in his American Dream Ice Cream truck every day from 1-9 p.m. bringing joy to Post Falls neighborhood kids.

“Because the truck I bought is older (1983 Dj5 mail Jeep), the biggest challenge was fixing and converting the truck into an operable ice cream truck,” he said. “Initially the truck had a lot of issues but thanks to my dad it works and runs great.”

Getting the hang of the right-hand drive took a while but now it’s second nature. Eli says that while his unique ice cream truck gets a lot of attention, the best part of his new business is seeing how excited the kids are when they hear the ice cream truck coming.

“It takes me back to the many unforgettable summers I had during my childhood,” Eli said.

When I asked Eli what advice he’d share with would-be entrepreneurs, his answer was not to let other people’s opinions deter you. A lot of his friends thought it was crazy to drive an ice cream truck and he understands.

“I’m a 215-pound college football player who drives a little old ice cream truck for a job so I know it's unusual,” he said. “But I love my job and I get to make people happy.”

I think Eli has discovered the secrets of success … a great idea, supportive family, determination and hard work. He’s making his mark, one ice cream bar and smile at a time.

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The Old Farmer’s Almanac was founded in 1792 and has been a trusted resource. We buy one every year for the bathroom library. Perusing it recently I had to laugh at the regional summer 2021 weather prediction. All of Idaho, the eastern half of Washington and Oregon and western Montana are noted as “wet, you bet!”

Nary a mention of record-breaking sustained scorching weather, and the only place to be wet has been in the pool, lake or river. I suppose after three centuries the old farmer can be forgiven for missing the mark by a mile.

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Happy Birthday today to Jim Lien, Cathy Meeks, David Miller, Todd Jenicek, Zofia Schell, Janet Allen, Shane Bell and Matt Gardner. Tomorrow Joe Malloy, Jim Coleman, Debbie Brown, Jennifer Schmidt, Tina Vandenheuvel and Sam Paul put on their party hats.

On Friday Katie Brodie (75!), Steve Anthony, Jeremy Epstein, Marilee Wallace, Bill Singleton, Kris Olson-Wood, Carolyn Kreager, Ginger Harmala, Cassie Ohlig, Anne Kulinsky, Jessica McLean, Darin Hayes, Steve McCabe and Brett Surplus will blow out the birthday candles. Saturday celebrants are Marie Price, Tom Taggart, Karen Youman, Mark Hunsaker, Karen Prosser, Doug Miller, Shelby Stone, Anthony “A-Train” King and Srinivas Gundari.

Larry Schwenke, Robin Schlotthauer, Alenna Blakeslee, Rich Nicolson and Karen King celebrate Sunday. Birthday wishes on Monday to Doreen Mack, Marla Giese, Deb Miller, Marlo Gerber, Nick Epstein, Kelsey Wood and Lois Johnson. On July 27 my brother-in-law Rick Scharf, Ann Beutler, Larry Trosper, Gail Everson, Brady Campbell, Shelly Zollman, Rich May, Brian Thormahlen and Janet Pulis take another trip around the sun.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.