This year’s event will be a little different. For the first time in many years Bud McNeal won’t be there in person, albeit I am sure he will be with us in spirit.
You see, Donald “Bud” McNeal was one of the Kiwanis Club of Logan’s most active and most dedicated members for many, many years. It was a huge blow to the Kiwanis, and to the greater community when Bud recently passed away. So his friends in the Kiwanis have decided to dedicate Pancake Day in Bud’s memory.
If you are one of the few people who have never made it to Pancake Day, you really have missed out.
In addition to a great pancake dinner for a moderate sum, you will get to spend some time with some of your neighbors and get some chances on some outstanding bargains too.
Every year, I look forward to Pancake Day. In addition to some good eats, I usually see plenty of my friends there, and often get to chow down with them, in between snapping a few pics for the Banner and usually doing dishes for the Kiwanis.
Last year was the first time in many a year there was not some mishap in the dishes area by the way. One particularly memorable year, I got hosed good by a blast of steaming hot water when a fixture ruptured.
I have no doubt the stern presence of The Legendary Jim Hagood was responsible for the lack of mishaps last year. I think the plumbing and kitchen fixtures realized Hagood may be retired as a professional educator, but he still takes no guff.....
I also have some fond memories of the Silent Auction that is part and parcel of Pancake Day. In years past, I have myself have won some amazing bargains, including oil changes for my vehicle that saved me a bunch of money and even once a gym membership. You see, good natured local businesses have donated goods and services to the Silent Auction. You place your written bid and hope nobody outbids you and you too can win.
You can’t go wrong with that, considering it’s all for a good cause...
The fun begins on Saturday, March 8, 2008 at Logan Middle School running from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The silent auction will run from 7 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
In case you are wondering just what it is that groups like the Kiwanis do, Pancake Day is a great example... Come on down and see for yourself.
Funds raised during Pancake Day will be used throughout the year for Kiwanis Charitable giving. Kiwanis does a little of everything, from supporting local Scouting to helping the Salvation Army to other forms of charitable giving. Remember when Welch got wiped off the map in a major flood? The Logan Kiwanis was there with thousands in cleaning supplies and water that it gave thanks to the support of our community.
Even if you can’t get involved in Kiwanis or one of our other fine civic clubs you can help them through supporting their various fundraisers.
Speaking of which The Lions Club of Logan and the Rotary Club of Logan will soon be hosting their own annual fundraisers.
This spring, the Lions will be honoring the Man of the Year with another “roast” style event. And the Rotary Club will have its traditional fundraiser with the “Elimination Dinner” where some lucky winner will walk away with the jackpot.
These groups do a lot and they have a lot of fun too. They also do good overseas. The Kiwanis main international project is wiping out Iodine Deficiency Disorder. The Lions Club of Logan focuses on sight and is working right now on the international scene in wiping out a disease called “River Blindness.” The Rotary International has brought fresh drinking water and schools to third world countries across the globe.
You really can’t go wrong when you support these organizations with your money, or your time. And if you get involved as a member or volunteer, you can have a lot of fun right here in your own back door.
Over the years, civic clubs like the Kiwanis, Lions and Rotary among others have been hit hard by a lack of volunteers and a lack of new members.
The thing that makes Logan a special place is the fact that we still have that sense of community that so many places have lost. Part of why we have that is because of the many people who do get involved with their local civic clubs and volunteer organizations. Kiwanians, Lions, Rotarians, firefighters, watch group members and others get together and pool their time to make our community a better place to live. And you can help them, either by support through your time, or through participating in their fundraisers.
Come on out and get involved and you will find the real world a lot more entertaining than reruns of “American Idle.”
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