Young essay writer scoops competition.

Byline: Anne Williams The Register-Guard

ELMIRA - Saturday's party had all the elements 10-year-old Elizabeth Conger had dreamed of: picture-perfect, backyard-pool weather; balloons, banners and bunting in red, white and blue; dozens of smiling friends, neighbors and family members; burgers and dogs sizzling on the grill.

And ice cream. Plenty of it. Eleven tubs, to be precise, each a different flavor, courtesy of Dreyer's Inc.

It was Elizabeth's very own "Slow Churned Neighborhood Salute," and it was all for her cousin, 18-year-old Jayson Conger, who leaves at the end of this month to join the Air Force.

Conger wrote about Jayson in a Dreyer's Inc. essay contest that her aunt, Karen Conger, read about last April in a "Woman's World" magazine advertisement. Aiming to promote its new, low-fat, "slow-churned" confection, the Oakland, Calif.-based company invited ice-cream buffs from across the nation to nominate their neighborhoods for an old-fashioned ice-cream social.

"Oh my gosh, the thought of all of us kids and our families sharing an ice cream party makes me smile and giggle," Elizabeth wrote.

Weeks went by without a word, and Elizabeth forgot about the contest. Then, while vacationing with her family in Maryland and New York, her aunt called to say Dreyer's had been in touch: Elizabeth's was one of 1,500 winning entries, 24 of them in Oregon.

"She was really jazzed," said her mother, Star Fetrow. "She told all her relatives back East about it, every chance she had."

Earlier this month, two boxes arrived in the mail. One contained door-hanger invitations, tablecloths, a disposable camera and enough scoops, spoons, bowls and napkins for 100 party-goers, the other 12 tubs of ice cream packed in dry ice. Elizabeth and her family couldn't resist dipping into the double fudge brownie, but saved the rest for Saturday.

While Elizabeth had envisioned throwing the party in her own Veneta cul-de-sac, the family decided the Elmira home of longtime friends Frank and Vonette Davis was a superior venue, with its swimming pool, spacious grounds and plentiful parking.

Dreyer's gave the switch its blessing, despite the fact that it veered slightly from the "neighborhood" theme.

"When the winners are chosen, it's kind of up to them how they want to handle their party," said Marisa Lalli of Ketchum, Dreyer's public relations firm. "And it's still a neighborhood (Elizabeth) is very familiar with."

About 45 minutes into the party, which drew about 50 people over the course of Saturday afternoon, Elizabeth's big moment came.

"Who wants ice cream?" she hollered, scoop at the ready. Jayson was the first in line for an ample cup of raspberry chocolate chip royale.

"Tastes great," he said between mouthfuls.

A 2006 graduate of Elmira High School, Jayson said he was touched that his cousin entered the contest with his departure in mind. He read her essay, he said, and it was "pretty nifty."

"It's pretty cool that she won," said Jayson, who will spend six weeks in basic training in San Antonio before attending technical school. He's interested in telecommunications systems, and sees the military as a means to get an education and serve his country at the same time. The party also honored his buddy and fellow graduate, Randy Landerking, who is joining the Marines later this month.

Elizabeth, who will be in the fifth grade at Veneta Elementary in the fall, said she loved all the varieties she sampled, and couldn't tell it was low-fat. But she said she has no particular allegiance to the Dreyer's brand.

"I'm a big fan of ice cream, period," she said.

CAPTION(S):

Elizabeth Conger dishes up ice cream for Randy Landerking (left) and her cousin Jayson Conger.