“Hello, my name is Jill Kraft and I am addicted to ice cream.” These are the words that I am prepared to say at the annual Ice Cream Addicts of New York meeting next month.

Just kidding. There is no such meeting. But if there were, I would have to sign myself up. I am pretty sure my addiction started as a very young child when my mother and I would have a special tin full of change that, once we had enough, would take us to the nearest ice cream shop.

These memories are what I remembered as I began my afternoon behind the counter at Ives Cream in downtown Norwich.

My first assignment upon joining the Ives crew for the afternoon was to help decorate the upstairs “everything” room. I call it that because it is not just for birthdays, meetings or graduation parties, it is for everything. Owner Katie Ives describes the room as “a blank slate.” Our job was to prepare it for an upcoming surprise birthday party.

Our decorating skills led us to the birthday banners, table cloths and some bright spring decor that looked welcoming for guests.

“We have had all kind of parties in here,” Katie said.