Kona Ice Serves Up Flavor In Huntley

My son spotted it before I did — but then 5-year-old boys have a special way of spotting delicious treats.

"Can we get ice cream?" he said, pointing to the truck stationed at Tomaso Sports Park in Huntley on Friday night.

We were there for a soccer game, and we've all waited long enough for spring to arrive, so of course I rounded up the troops and started headed in the direction his tastebuds were beckoning him.

I was just mentally preparing for the mom game in which I dash the hopes and dreams of four small children who all want the messiest, most expensive treat you can think of when a woman greeted me with a friendly smile and the empathetic eyes of a fellow mom.

"Hi," said Sherry Ravagnie, the owner. "What can I get for everyone?"

I quickly started scanning the menu while trying not lose sight of my 2-year-old twin boys when I realized it wasn't ice cream — it was shaved ice and all sorts of yummy flavors!

I breathed a huge sigh of relief, thinking, thank God, that means we're all getting the same treat. And the older two kids even got to pour the flavor on themselves, which meant no long pauses while they pondered the meaning of the universe and weighed heavy decisions about strawberry or grape.

She looked so happy in her truck, I couldn't help but ask how she got into her business. The McHenry County resident started Kona Ice of McHenry County after finding out about the franchise online Googling her dog's name, which is also Kona.

Kona Ice of McHenry County stations itself at schools, sporting events and community gatherings all throughout the area.

"I like being out and about in the community," she said. "It's a perfect fit."