Revamping in 2018

January 8, 2018

As I move into 2018, one of my main goals is to push myself to develop and maintain this blog. In the past I have avoided blogs as I saw them as the one extra place for personal-reflection. Now I am excited to utilize this for that same reason that led me to avoid them before.

This “first-of-the-year” post features another first for 2018: the first Kiowa, Colorado lions club pancake breakfast hosted on January 7. The breakfast is held on the first Sunday of the month from August through May. Sponsored by the Kiowa Lions Club and served by members of the Kiowa Middle and High School’s band and choir, the pancake breakfast is an opportunity for community members to catch up every month over good food and long conversation.

The crowd waves in and out as incomers arrive on either side of the local churches’ services. Bacon is fried, orders are matched to assigned playing cards, and family updates are passed around the room for hours. The January breakfast is especially known for the return of old friends as college kids home for the holidays and family and friends in town for the New Year stop by to eat and catch up with the community.

Betty Ruddock reaches for the salt after buttering her toast and topping off her coffee. Ruddock has been eating at the Lion’s Club nearly every month for the last four years. Ruddock moved to the area five years ago and always looks forward to enjoying a Sunday meal with the Lion’s Club.

A full $7 meal covers all-you-can-eat pancakes, toast, eggs, sausage and bacon. If you aren’t already on a first-name basis with the servers, a playing card is matched to your order for quick delivery.

Susanne Walker takes a break from deliveries to hug recent high school graduate Henry Houts. Houts was home visiting during his winter break from school at the University of Wyoming where he is studying Engineering. Reunions with old mentors and friends are one of the many moments to be shared during the pancake breakfast.

Members of the middle school band help to serve the guests. Darel Abey, a long time member of the Kiowa Lions Club, runs the event from the front trading orders for playing cards and welcoming old friends and newcomers alike with a smile.

On the first Sunday of every month, August through May, the Kiowa Lions Club hosts a pancake breakfast in the basement of the Elbert County Coalition. The breakfast funds raised are used for club sponsorships including local scholarships provided to graduating high school students.