Elizabethton Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast returns Nov. 5

Published 8:23 am Thursday, October 27, 2022

For over 55 years the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club has been serving up its popular pancake breakfast. This year’s event will take place Saturday, Nov. 5, from 7 to 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 325 East E St.

“This is our principal fundraiser of the year and it has become quite a social event over the years,” said Richard Barker, chairman of the Pancake Committee for the local Kiwanians.

“After a two-year hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, we are looking forward to restarting the breakfast this year and hope to have it for many more years,” said Barker.

The breakfast provides funding for numerous local Kiwanis projects, including sponsorship of Key Clubs at Elizabethton, Happy Valley, and Unaka High Schools; Builders Clubs at T.A. Dugger Junior High, and K-Kids Clubs at Harold McCormick, East Side and West Side Schools in Elizabethton. Also, the breakfast helps provide funding for the Elizabethton Kiwanis Park on West G St., local 4-H Clubs, the Douglas Community Park, the Elizabethton/Carter County Imagination Library, the Elizabethton Boys and Girls Club, and the Best-All-Around Students at Elizabethton High School.

“The pancake breakfast is normally our major fundraising project during the year. This year’s tickets are $7 and can be purchased from any Kiwanian or at the door during the event,” said Baker.

The event also holds a lot of significance for many of the club members. For instance, Barker has been working the breakfasts since he was still in school, helping his dad, Sam Barker. Back in those days, the Pancake Day took place outdoors in funeral tents erected on what is now Armed Forces Drive. The tents were provided by Don Tetrick of Tetrick Funeral Home. Tetrick was one of the founders of the Pancake Day, along with Leroy Height, who brought the idea with him from the Knoxville Kiwanis Club in 1963.

Throughout the years, the breakfasts have pretty much stayed the same, except it moved indoors at First United Methodist in 1982. The meal still consists of golden pancakes (made with Krusteaz pancake mix), sausage, which this year will be prepared by J’s Corner, milk, orange juice, lots of coffee, and lots of opportunities to socialize and help children’s programs. Mickey Mouse pancakes will also be available for children, and both regular and dietetic syrups will be available to pour over the pancakes.

“The club is most appreciative to all in the Elizabethton community who have helped sponsor the event through the years. Community support is vital to our success,” said Barker.

Also available at the breakfast will be the Kiwanis Christmas tree ornaments. This year’s ornament shows the scenes of Lynn Mountain, including the giant Christmas tree and the Three Crosses. The ornaments are $10 each.

The Elizabethton Kiwanis Club was established in March 1928 and will celebrate its 95th anniversary next spring.