Published: November 01, 2009 06:50 pm      

Serving ’em up

Kiwanis ready for annual pancake day

Election Day stands for two things — The right to vote and the opportunity to eat pancakes.

The annual Kiwanis Pancake Day will run from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Stephens County Fair & Expo Center.

Don Howland, event chairman, said, “It’s all you can eat sausage, bacon, pancakes, milk, orange juice. I think that’s all that’s on the menu.”

Every year, the number of people served increases. Last year, the attendance was about 2,300 people.

“We expect a good attendance,” Howland said.

Howland has headed up the event for years and is being assisted by Pam Germany, who has also been involved with the event for years.

Both said the program is important because it helps the Kiwanis Club raise money to maintain Kiddieland Park and to give away scholarships. This year, the money raised will go for scholarships for both Duncan and Empire high schools.

Because of a merger between the Duncan and the Chisholm Trail Kiwanis clubs, Empire High School will benefit from the money raised. Previously, the Chisholm Trail Kiwanis Club was responsible for raising funds for the EHS scholarships.

Howland said that because this is the first time the two clubs will work together this will also provide more volunteers for the program.

Germany said students from EHS and DHS Key clubs, junior police from all Duncan elementary schools and the Junior National Honor Society will help out with the event. Howland said there will probably be about 200 volunteers.

“We need them all,” Germany said.

Kiwanis members and volunteers pitch in every year to cook pancakes, and to serve up bacon and sausage. The tables at the fairgrounds will have bottles of syrup and jars of peanut butter.

In previous years, the pancake event has had so many people at once that there have been lines leading outside. Howland said the Kiwanis Club has leased the north portion of the Conference Center, which will provide more places for people to sit.

“People shouldn’t have to wait outside,” Howland said.

In addition to food, the event will also have entertainment. At 5 p.m., Mark Twain fifth-graders will perform with direction of music teacher Patty Jennings.

“We have a lot of entertainment planned,” Howland said.

Tickets will be available at the door or from any Kiwanis Club member. The prices include $7 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under, and free for pre-school and younger children.

Howland and Germany said they’re looking forward to the event.

“We’ve ordered all of the materials, and we’re ready to have a great day,” Howland said.