What’s your favorite breakfast? Is it a cup of fruit or oatmeal, eggs and bacon or biscuits and gravy? In a few weeks, hopefully that favorite breakfast is pancakes and sausage.

That is certainly the case for the Ironton Rotary Club, as the civic organization gears up for its annual pancake breakfast on Saturday Feb. 13.

Within a matter of hours, hundreds of plates of pancakes and sausage will be served to hungry patrons who come out, many of whom make this an annual event, to fill their bellies.

It is always fun to work alongside many other fellow Rotary members, several who have been working the pancake breakfast for over a decade, and listen to the great stories of years past.

For many, both Rotarians and those who attend the breakfast, it is more than just a plate of pancakes. This is a community event that has become a tradition over the years.

While many things never change, including the secret batter recipe, this year there will be one noticeable change, and that is the location of the breakfast. This year, the griddles will be fired up at the Knights of Columbus at 2101 S. Third St. in Ironton. While it was sad to see the location have to move from the former AEP building, it was good to see a new business in downtown Ironton that now occupies half the building.

For the Rotary Club, the event serves several purposes. It is not only great to see friends and family, but it is the club’s primary fundraiser that provides for several community projects. These projects include two nursing scholarships, sponsoring other local events throughout the year, assisting other charitable organizations, working toward ending polio around the world, and maintaining and updating the Rotary Fountain in downtown Ironton.

In addition to providing funding for all of these things, it also allows the community to come together and fellowship with family, old friends and fellow residents.

Like many other great events held throughout the year by various civic organizations, it takes months of hard work and preparation to put the breakfast on each year. It also takes the dedication of dozens of Rotary Club members and the Boy Scouts who volunteer their time during the breakfast to ensure the event goes off with as few hitches as possible and make it possible for all those who attend to have a great time. Additionally, events like this wouldn’t be possible without the support of a multitude of businesses who sponsor the event each year.

Tickets are $5 and can be purchased from any Rotary Club member, or tickets can be bought at the door from 7 a.m.-12 p.m. You can dine-in or carryout orders, and those who attend can also prepare for Valentine’s Day the next day and purchase roses at the breakfast.

Whether it is the pancakes, the fellowship or just to get out of the house, I hope to see you this year.

While the location may have changed this year, the tradition of a good breakfast and community spirit is something that will always stay the same.

 

Josh Morrison is the general manager at The Tribune. To reach him, call 740-532-1441 ext. 16 or by email at josh.morrison@irontontribune.com.