The tinkling sounds of children's music aren't the only signs of an ice cream truck making its way around Marietta's streets.

When Martha Gill's grandchildren hear it coming closer to her Norwood home, they perk up right away, she said.

"They hear that music and their eyes get so big," she said. "It only took one time for them to know it."

With a local ice cream truck now in its second season, many area people know the sounds and many are getting to know the owner, Bobby Collins, of Vincent.

"I have a lot of repeat customers," he said. "They get to know you and you end up knowing their whole life history. It's a lot of fun."

Collins grew up without the opportunity to run outside and pick out a frozen treat.

"I lived in a small town, and ice cream trucks are more of a big city thing," he said.

But, after operating a similar business in Columbus years ago and then working as a truck driver, Collins saw a way to bring the ice cream truck trend to some smaller towns when a Belpre woman wanted to sell her 2-month-old "Ice Cream Queens" van.

"The people really like having it," he said. "The kids really get tickled. They'll stand beside the truck and their parents will take pictures. The young ones haven't had this before."

Collins sells 39 types of ice cream on the go, including giant king cones, sno cones, ice cream sandwiches, cotton candy and bubblegum swirls and M&M cookies, one of the favorites, he said.

There's no schedule but he and a helper deliver to Marietta, Belpre and as far as Zanesville and Gallipolis Sunday through Thursday every week.

Collins has two more trucks and drivers lined up for when the economy improves, he said, but so far sales have been down this summer. His products range from $1 to $3 in cost.

"There's been a big difference this summer," he said. "People just don't have the money."

Others can be a little shy, he said.

"Some people are leery of having their kids come up and I can understand that," he said. "Others have gotten to know me."

Collins keeps his permits posted on the windows of the van to ensure everyone knows he has a legitimate business and his vehicle has been inspected by the Ohio Department of Health.

The only downside to being an ice cream man, he said, is listening all day to tunes like "Pop Goes the Weasel" - the same songs that let residents know when to come running.

"It will almost drive you insane," Collins laughed. "But the kids like it."