Feed your hunger for pancakes -- help a good cause

Submitted photo From left, Lions Club members Ron Showengerdt, Leslie Carroll-Bartlett, Monte Curtis, and Greg Hoffman are at work preparing breakfast.

By Floyd Jernigan

Nevada Daily Mail

The Annual Lions Club Pancake Breakfast has been around a long time.

Submitted photo Each year, residents and visitors take part in the traditional Lions Pancake Breakfast.

So long that it's hard for even the longest tenured Lion in the club to recall just when it got started.

"I have been in Lions for almost 30 years and the Pancake Breakfast has been going longer than I have been around," said Leonard Ernsbarger.

"For years it was held at the community center until it was remodeled. We have been at St. Mary's since.

"At various times we have designated the proceeds to specific causes like the Helicopter Pad at the hospital and lighting at Walton Lake Trail."

Another long-time Lions member, Greg Hoffman, was equally uncertain just when the tradition started of serving the community breakfast, with a goal of raising proceeds for local Lions Club projects.

"You would think that I would remember when Lions started doing the pancakes. I do not have any idea. I cannot remember not doing them.

"Back in the '60s the Methodist Men had an Aunt Jemima Pancake Day that lasted all day, serving from in the morning to evening. They did that to raise money for the Scouts. They served about 1,200 people.

"I do not know if the Lions were doing it back at that time or not. It is possible it started about that time.

"For several years, the major fundraising was selling brooms. I do know we have been serving pancakes for a great number of years."

This year's event arrives Saturday, Oct. 12, again at St. Mary's Church, located at 330 N. Main in Nevada, beginning at 7 and going until 11:30 a.m.

The menu includes pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs.

Tickets are $5 in advance, $6 at the door, with $3 for youth ages 6-12 and under 6 free. Tickets are available from any Lions Club member, at the Nevada Daily Mail, and at the door. Proceeds are used for local public service projects.

"We encourage everyone to come out and support the club in helping raise money for the community," said Lions President Tom Taylor.

"It's a great cause and we enjoy serving," agreed Lions Secretary Rudy Spann.