TEMPLE, Texas — Every summer since 1975, Tommy Bowling's Jolly Trolley Sno-Cones business has been making sno-cones for people in the Temple and Belton community. Bowling is originally from Hereford, a small town near Amarillo, but Temple has been his home for over 30 years.
"I would do sno-cones after school, on weekends, the football games, track meets," Bowling explained. "It's been so great serving the community."
Bowling says many don't know, but all of his sno-cone flavors, like cherry, blueberry and banana, are all homemade.
Bowling got the idea for the business when he went to visit a friend in Hereford who was selling sno-cones and learned that there were no taxes on selling sno-cones.
"I came home and ordered one of the machines and I've been doing it ever since," Bowling added.
Now, over 30 years later, people in Temple, Belton and surrounding cities have delighted in the Jolly Trolley's tasty treats. Bowling is also a retired school counselor with Belton ISD.
Sadly, after a number of health scares, Bowling is having to pull back from the business this summer, something he has never had to do during this time of the year.
"I've gone through radiation treatment for skin cancer, irregular heartbeat, chest pains and a broken hip after a bad fall," Bowling explained, "My wife has also been falling a lot more lately so we both have been in and out the hospital."
When this info was shared on social media, a number of people gave their well wishes and are wishing Bowling a speedy recovery.
Bowling said having to pull back from his business has been extremely hard and he will miss all of the support the community has given him over the decades.
"There have been so many people who have offered to run the sno-cone stand for me," Bowling told 6 News. "That's probably the thing that keeps me going, is I've got people that tell me or thank me for treating the kids the way I do."
Bowling and his family are working to decide whether to sell the Jolly Trolly business or continue the business on Bowling's behalf.
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