Product and promotion news

The interactive Rutter’s Discovery Center for Children opened in July with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the York County Historical Society Museum. York Mayor John Brenner participated along with representatives from the Rutter’s companies; the York County Heritage Trust, which operates the museum; and York County schoolchildren.

“As a third-generation family business, Rutter’s treasures its history and the history of York County,” says Scott Hartman, president of Rutter’s Farm Stores. “The Rutter’s Discovery Center for Children will help educate generations of York County youths about their community’s rich past. We’re proud to be a part of something so worthwhile.”

The Rutter’s Discovery Center for Children is on the museum’s second floor. The space showcases the period between 1890 and 1910 — one of great change as the United States developed into a global power — as seen through four categories: school, work, home and leisure. Hartman’s grandfather, George Rutter, and George’s brother Bud — the founders of Rutter Bothers Dairy — were born during this period. Rutter’s traces its roots to a nine-generation family farm just north of the city of York. Rutter’s Dairy, York, Pa., which began in 1921, and Rutter’s Farm Stores, which debuted in 1967, have served generations of customers.

Smith Dairy Products Co., Orville, Ohio, introduced new Limited Edition flavors Betsy Ross Berry Crisp and Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie this summer. The flavors have joined the Ruggles® Churned Light Ice Cream ranks, but only for a limited time. “Whether it’s Flag Day, Independence Day or just a backyard barbecue, summer is a time of celebration,” says Penny Baker, director of marketing for Smith Dairy. “Who better than Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam to join in the festivities?” Both new flavors start with vanilla Ruggles Churned Premium Light Ice Cream, which has all the flavor and texture of Ruggles ice cream but 50 percent less fat and a third fewer calories. Betsy Ross Berry Crisp adds to the vanilla base a mixed berry swirl and cinnamon streusel pieces, and Uncle Sam Sugar Cookie stirs in sugar cookie pieces and red and blue sprinkles. These Limited Edition flavors are available during the summer months in grocery stores throughout the Smith Dairy sales region. The 1.75-quart containers feature fun and friendly illustrations of Betsy Ross and Uncle Sam.

Want to see Mount Rushmore? Check out George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt and Abe Lincoln carved into a 700-pound block of Land O’Lakes cheddar cheese. In Little Chute, Wis., winemaker and cheese carver Troy Landwehr used his own carving tools to carve out a replica of Mount Rushmore from the huge block of cheese. Cheez-It snack crackers sponsored Landwehr to make the “work of art” out of cheese. Landwehr appeared on television in New York and the sculpture was put on display in Times Square. The carving is now on tour and its maker is now home in Little Chute. After its tour, the carving will go to Oklahoma, and be cut into cubes as a snack. Landwehr says he doesn’t mind that: “In the end, they’ll love eating good Wisconsin cheddar down south.”

Dippin’ Dots Inc., Paducah, Ky., announced in June a call for entries for its “Adventures of Packy Movie Mash-Up Challenge” — the company’s first-ever, user-generated online contest. Contestants were invited to create an animated short film starring Dippin’ Dots’ mascot, Packy, via an easy-to-use, Web-based game tool at www.dippindots.com/contest The grand prize winner received $2,500 and Dippin’ Dots for a year; and a wildcard winner will take home $1,000 and a six-month supply of Dippin’ Dots ice cream. Entrants were to produce a 15- to 90-second movie using the all-in-one director’s tool. No cameras or audio/video uploads were required. The tool allows easy selection of various background scenes, animations, props and soundtracks provided by Dippin’ Dots, as well as the ability to add bubble- text dialogue similar to a comic book. A panel of Dippin’ Dots judges selected the finalists based on Web site visitor ratings and view, plus creativity and originality. The selected movies advanced to the finals where contest members voted for their favorite as the grand-prize winner. The top five movies will be posted on YouTube where the most viewed entry will win the wild-card prize. The wild-card round will run until September 6.