(from L to R: Joe “Pep” Puliti(Polite), Elmer Polite, Johnny Falini, and Wanda Polite McGlinchey (front), approx 1939)
Uncle Pep (Joe Puliti, on the far left above) suggested we put together a list of people that have worked at The Cow over the years. The list below represents his memories. If you recall any others or you worked at The Cow, please add a note in the comments along with the years you worked and what your job was — and even tell us what you are up to now!
Here is Uncle Pep’s list:
Larry Polite, Chairman of the Board and head busboy
Vince Dougherty, Food prep manager
Elmer Polite, Assistant food prep Manager and scheduler
Willie Minor , Assistant candy maker, Assistant ice cream maker. Dishwasher and grounds keeper.
Kerry Polite & Kim (Polite) Puliti, Ice Cream makers Short Order cooks
Millie (Polite) Carlini, Head waitress
Waitresses:
Wendy Polite Nickles, Dottie Smedley, Maisie Smedley, Emily Cowan, Dottie Rice, Dora Picotti, Gwen Stafford, Debbie Parry, Sally Jefferys
Part time employees:
Saundra Polite Schier, Wanda Polite McGlinchey, Erin McGlinchey, Kevin McGlinchey
Ice Cream Dippers:
Chandler Rigdon, Sam Kunkle, Huey Dunlap, Johnny Falini
Seasonal employees:
George Smith, Walter Miller
The Guernsey Cow, Exton, Pennsylvania 
Kevin,
A topic for my father or Gladys would be information about the animal pen behind the restaurant. I’m not sure ifg you remember it or not. It was probably closed down when I was around 10 years old. They had chickens, pheasants, and a peacock. Peppy said that at one time they had deer and even a bear.
best regards
Hey Kevin, My parents told me you were trying to collect information on the Cow. I had many fine years there and lots of memories. I worked there from I think about 1970 to about 1976. I can’t remember exactly.
I learned a lot about life thanks to Larry, Elmer, Vince and Pep. I Love the old pictures.
TIm Hash
Glad I happened upon this site. My fondest childhood times were spent at “The Cow”
I have lost touch with the Polites- Could someone fill me in.
Now in Flippin Arkansas
Suzy and Claudia Hauck
Joanne Finegan
Brian Woodward
JIm Meanix
Mike McLaughlin
Marion Marcus
2 girls who were WCSU roommates who were the managers
and a brother and a sister who were from the catholic HS who were there too. all about 1977-79. Brian “Woody” dated the girl.
Now I’m stumped.
Claudia daly
Hello Claudia, Sean, Erin, et. al.!
Great website! Lots of memories as I read it. The Cow was always a welcome part of my family’s life in the ’60’s and ’70’s. My sister, my brother, and I all worked there about the same time as Claudia and Erin (’77 – ’79/80). It was great fun!
Sean, I seem to recall you worked there too during those later months/years. Is that true? Anyways,…
Claudia, Good job on the names. Let me try to unstump you from what I remember. I am the boy from the Catholic school up the road (Sts. P&J) and the HS. As you typed,…
-you and Suzy (I hope you are both well.)
-Joanne Finegan (I forgot about her.)
-Brian “Woody” Woodward (who dated my sister Dede.)
-Jim Meanix (I forgot he worked there too.)
-Mike “Schooner” McLaughlin
-Marion Marcus
-the two WCSU (even though it was just West Chester State at the time) roommates- Barb Lydon and Lori (I can’t recall her surname.)
-Dede Popplewell, my sister (who was the manager after Lori left.)
-Steve “Zac” Zacarelli
-Tom Belnomi
-Steve Gates
-Rob Helhake
-a taller, thin, darkhaired girl named Cheryl
-Dan Popplewell, my brother
-Erin
-me!
-Tony Ipolito (he and Steve Shaeffer, with the help of Tony’s sister made the ice cream.)
-Tony’s sister (but I can’t recall her name)
-Steve Shaeffer
-Tori Cruse
-the two Smith girls (Terri and her sister whose name I can’t recall but she dated Steve Shaeffer.)
-Bev, the redheaded daytime cook
-Willie of course
-the H&H maintenance guy that used to come in all the time in his green van
I am sure there are others but I can’t recall them right now. I will update if I remember.
I seem to recall that the caramels were made in the back room when I first started there. I think it only happened a couple times when I worked there and then they stopped making them (at least at the Cow).
I was a volunteer firefighter for Station 6 (Exton/West Whiteland) for about 10 years and at the time I worked at the Cow. The fire company used to have a lot pictures of the crossroads and the Cow from back in the 40’s, 50’s, etc.
Anyways, thought I’d throw my two cents in. Thank you again for the great website. Hope everyone is doing well!
Thanx,
dave
David P. Popplewell
well played, Dave! You’ve filled in some great blanks. thanks for stopping by!
I just got an e-mail from WordPress.com indicating there was a new comment on the ‘Employees’ section so I came to read it but I do not see it. The e-mail indicates it was from GalinaNaruzova. I don’t know who that is.
Regardless, for some strange reason, as soon as I read the above name, two other names popped into my head.
I don’t recall their surnames but their given names were Phil and Gail. They worked the day shift in the later days that I worked there.
wow, what a flashback to read some of these comments. while not my first job, it was certainly a memorable one especially since Claudia and I worked most of our shifts together and would draw straws for certain customers or assignments. a true employee, however, could not write a note without mentioning “Willie”. we all took care of him, what a great guy…
Hi everyone,
I am also a fellow alum of the “Cow” I am not even sure how I stumbled into this site, but I would like to add a few names.
I graduated from Henderson H.S. with Joanne, Claudia ,Erin, Marion,Tory C, Schooner and Woody!!! A few others to add to the list are Chris Mundy, Jim Meanix’s sister Ellen, I think Blake Gladfelter and my neighbor who got me the Job at the “Cow” Linda Lanigan.
I think I worked at the “Cow” for about two years. I remember working in the back making Ice Cream with Tony & Steve most of the summer of ’78. We pulled all nighters that summer to free up time to hit the beach.
“Wille” I saw Wille a couple years ago at the Coatesville Senior Center. A little grey hair but it was still the same Willie.
Thanks everyone for a trip down memory lane.
Claudia & Joanne I think our 30th is coming up, maybe I’ll see you there.
My dad (Phil Kurz) was Kim, Kerry and Wendy’s uncle. When I was a kid in the 60’s, my dad would bring home a bucket of the cream caramels from “uncle Joes dairy bar”. I can still taste them! It’s great to see you are still in business. I will have to take a road trip.
Pete Kurz
Richmond, Va
Wow, what a great site. It sure brings back memories. I also worked at “The Cow” during the Horn and Hardart days and later with the Delvechios. I remember starting out as a busboy, then a dipper, I later waitered and then made the ice cream myself (my favorite job). My favorite ice cream flavors were Black Raspberry (its great as a milkshake) and Mint Chocolate Chip.
Glenn
This just popped into my head…not sure why…but Patrick Lyons and his sister Kathy also worked there at about the same time as the above.
Dave Popplewell, is correct I worked at the Cow day shift 11 a.m. till 3 p.m. from Sept 1978 until June of 1979 on a school work program through the Downingtown High School PRO program along with Gail Briggs (Roy) who also was in the same high school work program. Our manager was Ann Healey during that time., also worked with a woman from Downingtown “Ida” and a “Marleen” from Malvern as well. Remember Lisa Polite working with us from time to time also. Worked for H & H at that time as well for 2.40 an hr. Willie would alway say HI to just about anyone and each time it sounded like ” hi hi guy”. Flavor I miss the most is the Cow’s Chocolate Chip it wasn’t just vanilla with chips it was a light chocolate ice cream with chips. And Butter Brickle. Great Memories of the Cow.
Philip Hemcher
hey!!! so glad to see all these comments! Dave- you have a great memory!!!! Its awesome. It made me realize that we were really a great meld of local High schools. I sure loved seeing those names and putting the faces I could remember. Rob and Joanne, I never made it to the reunion. I had to work that weekend. I’m pretty sure all the “cool” people worked at the cow.
My sister suzy and I are doing well. She keeps up with erin Mchloinchey and told me about this site. We both still love ice cream. We’re chocolate chip girls- for me its mocha chip any day.
I was a seasonal employee (1962-63, little fuzzy on the dates) while a student at Downingtown High School. My friend, Ron Britton, and I worked summer weekends together behind the counter, occasionally venturing into busing, serving, cooking, and in Willie’s absence, washing dishes. Had great fun working with Pep, Elmer and Vince. Lots of good memories. Have lost contact with Ron Britton.
How great this site is. I’m Tony Ippolito’s sister and I started working there in high school, early 80’s. Started washing dishes, dipping ice cream and then waitressed. I worked with the DelViscio’s also, Nick was a hoot! My brother John Ippolito worked there as well. My favorite ice cream was one they made up, I think the name was German chocolate cake. It was vanilla with chocolate swirls and some kind of chocolate covered crunchies. Whatever it was, it was the best. Lots of great memories there for me also. Loved Willie.
I never worked at the Cow but I and my family spent a lot of money there! We lived in Exton from the mid 50’s through about 1978, when my mother and father moved south to Florida. We lived up “on the hill”, the ridge to the north of Exton, above what is now Wicks Ski Shop. In the early 60’s, before the trees grew so tall, my dad put a big huge “star” up on our roof at Christmas time that you could see from the crossroads. I remember running around with kids from Meadowbrook Manor, my pals Steve Ashbridge and Ted Rogers, and many more. I worked at the Exton Mall when it first opened, at Strawbridge & Clothier. My brother worked at the Exton Cinema. I remember many nights and days at the Drive-In, the Exton Roller Rink, and so on. The old place sure has changed!
What a stroll down memory lane. Thank God for my brother, Dave. Obviously, he was given the ability to remember names more so than I was!!! It is great to see so many people sharing their memories of The Cow. I started out waitressing at the Cow about 1977. Like most of the people above, ended up doing many jobs there including, making ice cream, dipping, and finally managing the facility. When H & H bought the place I went on to work for them in a management position. Eventually they closed the restaurant and I got transferred to Bala Cynwyd(sp?). I only made that drive for a few months.
I remember after hours at The Cow many of us would hang out together, Claudia, Marion, Schoon, Brian, Rob, Zac, Pat, Tori, Erin……What fun days!!! Miss those times and hope all is well with everyone!!!
Wow!! The years fly by!! I work at “The Cow” during high school with a lot of classmates in the late 70’s early 80’s. It was a good job and a happy time at the same time. Many stories to tell and good times to remember.
We can not forget Willy. I wonder how he has been and if he ok.
It is still the BEST ice cream I ever had. Rum Raisin, Butter Brickle, Black Rasberry. Nobody maked it as good as The Cow did.
The People made the job special and not seem like it was work. I miss those times and people.
Oh Boy – The Cow – such a fun High School job…where else could you earn money and get to eat cheese steaks and ice cream when you were on break???
It was my first official job (besides babysitting) and I worked as a waitress from 80 through 82 – then went off to college…
Beth Sekela suggested I try to get a job there and we had lots of fun working together at the COW.
Cathy Shane also worked with us.
Chris Taraschi too…
I remember working with Erin & Brian McGlinchey – but I think you were done working at The Cow by then weren’t you Sean?
After hours Ms. Pac Man tournaments gave me my mad Ms. Pac Man skills that still keep me able to top anyone that I challenge today… I would be worried if I had to face down a Cow alum.
And Erin made an amazing special recipe grilled cheese…wheat bread, turkey, cheese, pickles and mustard – its now a family favorite in our house and brings back some good time memories of The Cow every time I make it.
Butter Brickle reigned supreme and I have never found one that matched that recipe. I used to make Butter Brickle milkshakes,,,,YUM!
Although that German Chocolate Cake recipe really was good….
Great site – thanks!!
James Whitelock
I worked at the Cow from 68 to 71 more or less.
I made many good friendships I can’t remember all the names; Dan and Don from Coatesville, Debbie from Exton she was a student at West Chester College and drove a VW Bug. Many more came and went the few years I was there.
We would travel to the shore on weekends and hang out together after work.
The Cow made my high school years tolerable.
Elmer was a great boss and “friend” he treated me very well as did all the Polite family. I remember Elmer whistling “look at me I’m as helpless as a kitten up a tree” ie Misty
I made $1.35 an hour but would have worked for free. The cones were 35 cents a dip.
When I tell people about Willie they do not believe me he was a character riding his bike and saying “Hi Cap” to everyone. He lived in the old coal shack on the side of the building.
It would be great to somehow reunited with the old crew who worked there.
My Travels to the Cow were as a child,I have the fondest memories of the best Ice Cream I have ever experienced,I remember all of the people that Loved Willie Minor and his cool Bike ,he was such a nice person,always smiling and friendly as can be.My parents ran the Dogwood Motel on Rt 100 next to Felix’s Farm Market”Thank You Very Kindly”he would say to everyone.Then Willy would show up and We would clean the floors for a candy bar,those were the days of wonder,Goodbye Cap!
used to play golf with Larry at Whitford when I was a kid and frequently stopped at thr Cow after leaving the club
The ‘Cow’, Felix’s Farm Market, the Exton Diner (when it was in Exton), the HoJo’s (waited tables in High School), all blasts from the past. Believe I went to school with Dave Poppelwell (or one of my brothers) at SS P&J??? Totally remember the name. Worked at the Exton Burger King 1975-1977 so possibly one there? Used to skate at the fire station, wedding reception at the West Whiteland FS off 100 a bit south of the crossroads.
Remember Felix giving me dill pickles, my first mint chocolate chip ever at the Cow, creamed chip beef at the Exton Diner, and small town life that will never be again. Thanks for memories.
I worked at The Cow when I was 16 for about two years, ’70+’71, as did my sister Maureen a year earlier. In addition to working as a waiter, bus boy, dishwasher and counter person, I was asked by Pep to come in an extra day for four hours to help him make the ice cream. It was fun and he was (is?) a great guy. I remember he was a skier who told me about incredible 25 mile ski runs they had in Switzerland. He was also the resident mechanic as I recall and on the side had a automatic garage door opener business. Vince was a wonderful guy who had a great heart. Elmer and I never really got along but he was a good manager. One day I was scooping an ice cream cone for a woman with an easy going manner and quiet air of authority who was probably in her late 60’s or early 70’s. We had a very nice conversation for about five minutes and then she left. Elmer then came over and asked if I knew who she was and I said no. He said that was Mary C. Howse after whom the elementary school on Boot Road is named. Since I was raised in the neighbor directly behind the school’s athletic field and remember as a young boy when the school was built his telling me who she was meant a lot to me. I have a lot of good memories of working at The Cow. I was sad to see that Willie passed away some years ago. I not only knew him at The Cow but a couple of years later started to run in to him again when I got a job managing the Exton Drive-In Theater concession stand. He used to come into the theater on his wonderfully decorated bike, park it in one of the stalls and watch the movie. I don’t know for sure but I believe the cashiers let him in free. I think it would be hard for anyone who really knew Willie to take money from him. I remember at the concession stand we used to load him up with free popcorn. Good times.
Michael Helms
My name is Tim Dorsey
I worked at “The Cow” approx 1976 + or – as the Ice Cream Maker and I also made the Caramels. I was trained by “Pep” Polite, the former Ice Cream and Candy Maker.
When the Polite family sold The Cow to Horn & Hardarts, I was working at H&H Bakery in Phila. (just out of High School) as a Shift Manager. I was transferred to the Cow and promoted to Ice Cream Production Manager. I spent one year there and made just under a million gallons of Ice Cream for the Cow and all the H&H restaurants. It was a wonderful year and I have many fond memories.
Willie Minor was my helper, along with Bob Hall (who took over production after I left) and Tony Ippolito.
Steve Bricker was the restaurant Manager and I still have a nice going-away card signed by 24 of the staff including Erin McGlinchey and Kevin McGlinchey, Mary Kenworthy (waitress), Roger Pitkin, and Lisa Polite. I was sent back to the H&H Bakery to take over after the Head Manager there left. I wish I had stayed at The Cow. It was one of the best jobs I ever had.
I recall making 63 different flavors which all started with a 5 gallon metal can of Cream from a local dairy farm. We had 2 batch freezers in the Ice Cream room which was visible to the Public thru a large window. I may still have those recipes somewhere. I also made Vanilla, Chocolate and Black Walnut Cream Caramels in the candy room in the rear.
I went on to build and operate a Commercial Wholesale Bakery in Warminster, Pa – Country Manor Bakery which lasted for 23 years. I now own BakeTech Inc., a brokerage company.
I could go on and on, but I’ll stop here. Its great to see this Page and the old photos of a great place in history. My sincere thanks to the originator of this page.
Tim Dorsey
Thanks Tim,
Enjoyed working with you at the cow! My name is Bob Hall. Hope all is well!
Hey Bob! Wow, I remember you well. Did you see the photo of you and Willie in front of the batch freezers I posted? I didn’t get any notification that you left a message here so if you feel like catching up you can e-mail me at Bakerbos@aol.com. I’d like to know what you and some of the others did after I left the Cow. All the Best, Tim
Fantastic site , i loved working there and built some great friendships .. long live the cow.. who can forget making Ice cream with schooner for 42 straight hours
I never had the opportunity to visit the Cow, but I was privileged to get to know Vince Dougherty during his last 8-10 years here. I was the Activity Director at the nursing home he resided. Vince was a great guy, jovial and taking life’s challenges in stride. He was very proud of his work at the Cow. He would always get asked what his favorite flavor was, and he would usually mention the “Roquefort Cheese” ice cream, i think b/c it was sure to get an astonished rise out of the listener. I’ve known many seniors through my career, and Vince is one that stays with me in my memories. I remember a “Fifties Rock n Roll” party we had with an Air Guitar Contest. He rocked out, laughing hysterically as he gave his all during the Chuck Berry solo. Wish i could have known him in his prime!
Thanks, Dave. You description of Vince fits my memories of him over the previous decade or two!
Fun to find this site! Never worked at The Cow but remember it well! Geoff Smith who posted a memory in 2010 and Ron Britton were both in my Downingtown HS class 1963. They scooped us ice cream for several summers! Am fb friends with Ron Britton but have no info about Geoff.