From the Newsroom: Gatehouse Media

Sean Hixon, a 2015 anthropology graduate from the University of Oregon, discusses why people like himself are interested in the mysteries of the Easter Island Statures. Hixon wrote a thesis and contributed to a study about how the statues got their hats. [Dylan Darling/The Register-Guard]

Ben McMorran, an associate professor of physics at the University of Oregon, explains how student Sean Hixon's question about cylinder stone hats for Easter Island statues led to an interesting use of physics. [Dylan Darling/The Register-Guard]

Did you know July is National Ice Cream Month?

With that in mind, we thought it was fitting to ask Jeni Britton Bauer, the founder of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, to discuss where to find best ice cream in the area, what she typically orders at other ice cream shops and why ice cream can be so tricky to make right. Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams has more than 30 stores across nine states, including 10 locations in central Ohio.

With Jeni being a special guest, we started our podcast by doing a short interview with her before getting into our usual debate with our other panelists.

This is "The Great Food Debate," where we discuss the best food, drinks and specialties found in central Ohio. And oh, my goodness, did we scream for ice cream on this one!

This episode's panelists are:

Jeni Britton Bauer, founder and chief brand officer of Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

Jim Fischer, Columbus Aliveassistant editor

Julie Miller, founder of What Should We Do Today in Columbus?

Lisa Proctor, ThisWeekCommunity News community editor

Where can the best ice cream be found in central Ohio?

Jeni's pick: Johnson's Real Ice Cream (locations in Bexley, Dublin and New Albany) and Graeter's (locations across five states)

Jim's pick: Ollie's Fine Ice Cream (19 S. Franklin St., Delaware)

Julie's pick: Dulce Vita Ice Cream Factory (two locations in Columbus)

Lisa's pick: Graeter's

Other restaurants and ice cream flavors mentioned in this episode:

Little Eater (locations in Clintonville and the North Market)

Brassica (locations in Bexley, Short North and Upper Arlington)

Krema Nut Co. (1000 W. Goodale Blvd., Columbus)

Hirsch Fruit Farm (two locations in Chillicothe)

Hot fudge sundae at Johnson's

Banana split with black-raspberry chip ice cream at Graeter's

Oreo paleta from Dulce Vita Ice Cream Factory

Diamonds Ice Cream (5461 Bethel Sawmill Center, Columbus)

Buckeye Blitz at Graeter's

Butter pecan ice cream at Johnsons

Pickled mango ice cream at Jeni's

Swenson's (locations in Akron, Cleveland and Canton)

Mardi Gras Homemade Ice Cream (1947 Hard Road, Columbus)

La Plaza Tapatia (4233 Shoppers Lane, Columbus)

Cream & Sugar (2185 Sullivant Ave., Columbus)

Hartzler Family Dairy Ice Cream Shop (5454 Cleveland Road, Wooster)

Middle West Spirits (1230 Courtland Ave., Columbus)

Dairy Queen (locations nationwide)

McDonald's (locations nationwide)

G.D. Ritzy's (coming back soon)

Friendly's (no longer available in Ohio, but there are locations across more than 10 states along the east coast)

Icedream cone at Chick-Fil-A (locations nationwide)

United Dairy Farmers (locations nationwide)

Third & Hollywood (1433 W. Third Ave., Grandview Heights)

Cookie Dough Creamery (7227 N. High St., Worthington)

The Little Ice Cream Shoppe (3229 Hilliard Rome Road, Hilliard)

Kilwins (4549 Bridge Park Ave., Dublin, and other locations nationwide)

Coppo Gelato (925 N. State St., Westerville)

Handel's Homemade Ice Cream & Yogurt (locations across nine states)

Did we miss any of your favorite ice cream shops? Have any suggestions on what we should talk about? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us at @ThisWeekNews.

New episodes are released every Friday. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Google Play and Stitcher. After you subscribe, the latest episodes will be downloaded automatically to your phone or tablet so you can listen during your commute while working out or making dinner.

This podcast was produced by Scott Hummel, ThisWeek assistant managing editor, digital.

ONEFIRE President and CEO Jason Parkinson and Director of Marketing Mark Hemmer chat with the Journal Star's Steve Tarter about the Peoria digital marketing and technology company's new podcast, helping businesses in Peoria and their plans for the future.

Dr. Manraji Bath talks about Sikhism

STORY: Leicester police offer free drug-testing kits to parents

This episode is sponsored by SavannahNow.com. Get a digital subscription by clicking the link.

Savannah Morning News editorial page editor Adam Van Brimmer is joined by his producer, Zach Dennis, to discuss Savannah's role in the new Marvel superhero movie, "Ant-Man and the Wasp," and what some of his favorite Savannah-shot scenes are.

Read this morning's commute here.

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Trey Leonard served as producer of "Classic City Queens," a documentary that shines a light on the drag community in Athens, Georgia. Directed by Andie Leeds and edited by Alana Casto, the short was recently nominated in the long-form, nonfiction category for a Student Production Award by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Southeast. Trey spoke with Andrew about his experiences as a UGA film student and the importance of finding a compelling story. View the film at www.treyleonard.online.

Ashley Moody, Republican candidate for Florida attorney general, spoke to The News Herald's John Henderson and Stephanie Nusbaum on Friday afternoon about her platform, her deep ties to the law enforcement community and her time on the campaign trail so far.

Read more at SavannahNow.com