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Boardman Rotary still flipping flapjacks
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman Rotarians celebrated the start of their 30th annual pancake breakfast at Boardman Park on March 24.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Boardman Rotarian Jim Kerr (left) has been the Rotary Pancake Breakfast’s official “flipper” for the last 25 years. Kerr says the hotcakes are ready to flip when there is an effusion of bubbles in the batter.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Rotarian Brian Governor looked happy to get a lunch break during the Rotary’s March 24 Pancake Breakfast, where he had a chance to sample some of the goods.
By SARAH FOOR
For their 30th annual Pancake Breakfast, held over the two weekends of March 24-25 and March 31-April 1, the Boardman Rotary is expecting to go through 30 gallons of pure maple syrup, along with truckloads of flapjacks, sausage, coffee and orange juice.
The event, held at the Lariccia Family Community Center at Boardman Park, serves as one of the Rotary’s most important fundraisers, raising about $20,000 each year. The funds aid and underwrite community organizations like the Butler Institute of Art, Meals on Wheels, Mission of Love and 26 other local groups.
Event co-chair Celeste Lisko said after 30 years, she and her Rotary colleagues have the pancake breakfast down to a science.
“Everyone has a task and we’ve all perfected them after many years of service at the breakfast. We even have an official pancake flipper, which is one of the most prestigious jobs at the event,” said Lisko, giving a behind-the-scenes view of the breakfast.
Rotarian Jim Kerr has been an honored pancake flipper at the event for about 25 years.
“Flat tops are the best way to cook the flapjacks. After putting the batter down, the secret is to wait until there are a lot of bubbles to flip it,” Kerr said, sharing what he has learned at the grill during his service.
Lisko said she hopes the Boardman Rotary’s 30 years of experience hosting the breakfast will lead to 30 more years of service to the community.
“Each and every year, we’re so proud to give back to community organizations while also bringing people together. We hope our Pancake Breakfast will continue to be a staple for Boardman families,” Lisko said.