Miller's Scoops Up, Dishes Out Homemade Love

This'll Take You to the Moon: Owner Carolyn Kater scoops out over 30 flavors of her homemade ice cream, including one called Blue Moon. (photo by Pauline Shapiro)

Even as the weather cools into dreary winter, Oberlin students still make the trip to Miller's Ice Cream to get a taste of the homemade goodness.

Miller's is not just reminiscent of by-the-side-of-the-road ice cream stands ‹ it is one. Unlike chains, however, Miller's offers homemade ice cream in unique flavors like pumpkin and blue moon.

Patrons pull into a gravel driveway flanked by cornfields and picnic benches. Miller's offers a peaceful retreat from papers and exams.

"People come here for three and four hours at a time," owner Carolyn Kater said as she peered out through the walk-up window and slid a root beer float across the counter. Bugs buzzed in the background as they flew into the fluorescent lights that filtered through the early darkness.

During the peak summer season Kater is up at six in the morning making over 30 flavors of ice cream, working through the day until late at night. Of the flavors she makes, the two most popular are pumpkin and blue moon, which she describes as tasting like wedding cake icing. Other popular all-natural flavors are watermelon and cantaloupe and‹when strawberries are in season‹strawberry sundaes.

"You know what you're eating," Kater said tentatively, when asked why her ice cream was so popular.

While the ice cream may be the main draw, Kater herself seems to be another. "I really enjoy the people," she said. Extraordinarily personable, she speaks easily, continually emphasizing how wonderful the people who stopped in were. She is frequently pulled away from the ice cream machine to say hello to customers, and worries if she doesn't see her regulars.

Although not good with names, Kater recognizes the faces of many customers and often can tell you exactly what they will order. An amused smile played upon her face as she recounted the story of a man who would regularly drive from West Lake to buy 15 chicken sandwiches for his lunches and the rest of his family.

Once a customer, always a customer seems to be a truth surrounding the little out-of-the-way establishment. Kater related stories about Australians, Swedes and graduated college kids who visit regularly. "I don't know why the California kids come back," said Kater. Miller's can inspire intense devotion in the regular customer. "One girl almost cried when I said we'd be closing the 28th [of Oct.]," Kater said.

During the off-season, Kater spends her time with her son and granddaughter in Chicago. But by the time March rolls around, "I'm ready to open up," she said.

Nodding toward her staff of high school students, Kater said, "The kids are great. They work hard." She explained that every year she takes them to Chicago for four days. The tip money from the plastic bucket near the order window is saved throughout the season and goes to pay for their trip as well as the shopping spree they take while there.

Miller's hasn't changed much in the last 50 years when the Millers, who still live just down the road, opened it. With the addition of a room and, in 1982, a grill, the stand has expanded its offerings to include shakes and food as well as soft serve ice cream. "I had to go to soft serve," Kater said rather disappointedly, admitting that the demand had to be met.

Whatever draws you there and no matter what keeps you coming back, Miller's proves that, even in October, it's never too cold for ice cream.

To get to Miller's, take 58 North and make a left on 113. Miller's is on the right about 10 miles out. Hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. Miller's is open until Oct. 28 and will reopen March 17.