Hip hop artist Timmy Grins serves Apple Ice

WARWICK, N.Y. — In November 2010, hip-hop artist Timmy Grins, a resident of Vernon, was a guest “Hero” on the Oprah Winfrey show.

And on Thursday evening, June 21, the well-known recording artist and entrepreneur was serving free “Apple Ice,” a new custom flavor produced by his company, New York Scoops, at Pennings Farm Market in Warwick, N.Y.

Grins’ invitation to appear on the Oprah Winfrey show stemmed partly from his travels throughout the country speaking to college audiences, AA groups and whoever would listen to his message, “Don’t drink and drive.”

Almost 12 years ago he quit his own heavy drinking and was in Alcoholics Anonymous where he met a young man who told him the story about how he once drove drunk and killed two people while critically injuring two others.

Inspired by that account Grins became the author of a spoken word rap, “Last Call,” which describes what it would be like to wake up after such a horrific event. The video can be viewed on YouTube.

He has also used his talents and influence to spearhead fund drives and inspire others to help combat cancer and Alzheimer’s disease, both of which have affected members of his family.

Looking to settle down after international touring as rappers, Grins and his brother launched New York Scoops, a company that serves approximately 20 different flavors of Italian water ice, made with fresh fruits, at locations ranging from Coney Island and Atlantic City to local spots including: NYs Finest, Franklin; Mountain Creek Waterpark, Vernon, Warwick Valley Winery, Warwick, N.Y., Mountainside Deli, McAfee and elsewhere.

For additional information visit nyscoops.com.