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DeWines set to host 30th ice cream social

Former U.S. senator and his wife began tradition with his first run for public office.

Contributed photo Fran DeWine (second from left) makes fruit pies with friends, Brenda Lewis and Roberta Lillich, and her mother, Mary Struewing.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer 1:51 AM Sunday, September 20, 2009

CEDARVILLE — Once again Mike and Fran DeWine will serve up pie and ice cream with a side of politics.

The DeWines are holding their 30th ice cream social today, Sept. 20, at their Conley Road home, continuing a tradition that began in 1976 when Mike DeWine first ran to be Greene County prosecutor.

The family has held the event nearly every year since his first election.

“It’s a nice way to keep in contact with your friends and neighbors, have them all over to the house,” said Fran DeWine, wife of the former U.S. senator now running to be Ohio’s next attorney general. “We’ve just enjoyed doing it. It’s just fun having a time every year when you can see all your friends.”

This year will be like many past socials, with music, entertainment and 150 homemade pies baked by Fran and her friends and served up with ice cream from Young’s Jersey Dairy.

There will be plenty of activities for young children, including performances by a popular magician, Fran said.

The ice cream social is open to the public and doubles as a political fundraiser, said Jill Craig, a spokeswoman for DeWine’s campaign to become attorney general.

DeWine is expected to make a speech at about 2 p.m.

“It’s just representative of the life he and Fran have,” Craig said of the event. “He’s a real family guy. Very down to earth.”

From the Xenia courtroom where he worked as prosecutor, DeWine kicked off his campaign in July to bring “honor” back to the attorney general’s office. He will face Delaware County Prosecutor David Yost in a 2010 Republican primary. If successful, he will square off against incumbent Democrat Richard Cordray next fall.