SOCIAL SO COOL WITH ICE CREAM.

Byline: BETTIE RENCORET SENIOR COLUMNIST

LANCASTER -- Hundreds of people will eschew their diets -- without a twinge of conscience -- for the Lancaster United Methodist Church's Diamond Jubilee ice cream social.

``It's a tradition. Nobody wants to buck tradition,'' said Pastor James Ledgerwood. ``I expect to be first in line for a generous portion of the good stuff.''

The social is 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the newly rebuilt church site, 918 West Ave. J.

There will be at least 110 gallons of handmade ice cream in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and two annual favorites, peach and peppermint.

Also available will be chocolate, carrot, white and angel food cakes; apple, peach, pecan, cherry and other pies; brownies, cupcakes and cookies.

Prices are the same as last year: Ice cream is 75 cents a scoop, pie $2 per slice, cake $1.50 per slice, brownies or cupcakes 50 cents each, beverages 50 cents each. Takehome ice cream is $3 a pint and $5 a quart.

The ice cream is made in World War II-era Army surplus 10-gallon freezers purchased years ago by the late Art Pickus.

``Real cream, fresh fruit, cocoa and peppermint candy still go into the same time-honored recipes our women have perfected over the years. We're proud of that,'' longtime member Keith Swords said.

Almost as much of an Antelope Valley summer tradition as Fourth of July celebrations or the Sacred Heart Catholic Church barbecue in September, the social embodies the essence of family fellowship.

``We expect anywhere from 800 to 1,000 persons, entire families, to grace our hall that night,'' said Chairwoman Jeanne Cochran. ``There could be more, who knows? But we'll be ready.''

The socials started out at the congregation's Lancaster Boulevard church site. ``The church was much smaller then, a two-story edifice with a steeple and it was on a corner lot,'' said Swords. ``I don't remember it that much, but I've heard how the yard outside had huge trees. The men -- guys like Floyd Kitchen, Morris and Fred Griffin, Art and Fred Pickus and several others -- would string up Christmas lights in those trees for people to see by as they ate their cake and ice cream.''

Lancaster United Methodist Women, sponsors of the yearly event, use the proceeds for their mission outreach program. Funds provide care and support for women and children around the world.

``It's a birthday celebration, right? So if social patrons want to bring gifts, we'll be really grateful for donations of canned vegetables and soups for our soup kitchen,'' said Cochrane. Lancaster United Methodist's soup kitchen provides warm meals two days a week to needy valley residents, said Bill Baer, soup kitchen chairman.

``We always need more supplies. We depend on the generosity of others to help us and we know it's appreciated by the hungry,'' Baer said.

Menus for the week at the senior life nutrition sites in Lancaster and Palmdale have been announced. All meals include bread, margarine and coffee, tea or milk for a suggested donation of $2.

Monday: Chili egg puff, chili beans, spinach, apple.

Tuesday: Baked ziti with sausage, mixed vegetables, garden salad, ice cream.

Wednesday: Cranberry chicken, wild rice, green beans, carrot/raisin/pineapple salad, gelatin with fruit.

Thursday: Roast turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, tossed salad, cheesecake.

Friday: Fish or barbecued pork sandwich, scalloped potatoes, corn, marinated salad, mandarin salad.