When it comes to dessert, third-grader Sara Greer is a big fan.

“I love cherry pie and apple pie, but I hate pumpkin pie,” said Sara.

Asked her favorite dessert of all, Sara didn’t hesitate while holding a banana split in hand. “Ice cream,” she said, “but mainly because of the cherry on top.”

Sara was one of 46 third-graders who made a trip to the Southern Standard office Friday afternoon to enjoy our annual Banana Day. The students were participating in the Young Scholars Institute program, commonly called YSI.

“We’ve been seeing downtown attractions today,” said YSI teacher Donna Womack. “We’ve been to the fire station and we’ll go to the CrossFit studio after this. When we realized this was banana split day, we knew we had to stop by the Standard.”

Free ice cream is an effective way to draw large crowds. Hundreds of people stopped by the newspaper office for an afternoon treat with several taking advantage of discount subscription prices during their stop.

“I love to get my paper and find out what’s happening,” said Elizabeth Murphy. “I always subscribe.”

In addition to ice cream, Murphy had an extra special treat waiting for her Friday at the newspaper office. As the winner of our weekly Cash Word contest, she had a $50 check.

“I just put it toward the cost of my subscription and it made my subscription not cost very much,” said Murphy.

Linda G. Cantrell was eager to register for the door prizes and took a moment to admire the gas grill.

“Does it come with a cook?” she asked.

Cantrell made the trip to the newspaper office with her cousin, Helen Morgan, who is still spry at 88 years old.

“I wish she could will me some of her genes,” said Cantrell. “She gets around better than I do and she’s 88.”