The president made a four-hour trip to University Park yesterday to speak at the National Governors' Association annual meeting, which concludes today. Clinton also stopped at the Creamery during his 1996 visit to the campus.
His impromptu ice cream snack was a sweet surprise to Creamery staff and customers.
"I'd never had Creamery ice cream before and I'm a senior," said Dulcie Hellings (senior-marketing), who finally stopped by the Creamery with a friend yesterday afternoon.
Hellings ended up shaking the president's hand — twice.
"It turned out to be a special experience," she said.
Clinton's plane arrived at the University Park Airport at about 1:55 p.m. under heavy security.
Local officials who massed on the runway to greet the president were surprised when Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan also scampered down the steps of the plane, carrying two black binders under his arm.
Greenspan is scheduled to speak to the governors this morning.
Just outside the airport, a Secret Service agent chased away a crowd who pressed against a fence in hopes of seeing the president.
"We waited for an hour and a half," complained State College resident Celia Dashem. "I just brought my grandson up so he could see the president. He likes the airplanes, too."
Clinton traveled in a 19-vehicle motorcade to the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
Although Clinton and Ridge rode in the same limousine, Clinton reportedly laughed at the suggestion that he try a cone of Ridge's Road, a new Creamery flavor named for the Republican governor.
Before he left yesterday afternoon, Clinton autographed a metal ice cream scooper for the Creamery staff.
"We're going to have it framed and hung up here," said Creamery assistant manager Cindy Kellerman.
