The 61st Annual Newtown Rotary Pancake Breakfast took place in Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room on Saturday, December 4. It returned to being in-person, after the event was modified as a take-home meal kit option last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This year’s all-you-can-eat breakfast included pancakes cooked by Rotary members, as well as coffee from BD Provisions, syrup from Maple Craft Foods, and sausage from Butcher’s Best. There was also milk, juice, and hot chocolate available.

Rotary Club President Alex Villamil took the stage to say a few words while guests dined on their breakfast.

“Every year the members of the Newtown Rotary look forward to sharing this tradition with our friends and neighbors. Now, especially having to miss the in-person event last year, we are happy to see you,” Villamil said.

He thanked the Newtown Centre of Classical Ballet & Voice and Lathrop School of Dance for their performances throughout the morning.

Villamil gave a shout out to Santa Claus for coming from the North Pole to the Pancake Breakfast; to Newtown resident Grant Ossendryver, from Inspiring School of Music, who provided all the audio/sound services for the event; and Girl Scouts Troops #50334, #50512, and #50764 who were on-site volunteering.

Additionally, he expressed his appreciation for the Pancake Breakfast’s sponsors, including Newtown Savings Bank, Butcher’s Best, BD Provisions, Maple Craft Foods, Ancient Winds Trading Company, Caraluzzi’s, and Stew Leonard’s.

“I would also like to thank you for being here,” Villamil said. “Your taking part in this cherished tradition helps Rotary fundraising efforts and enables us in turn to support town and local organizations such as: The Newtown Scholarship Association, Newtown Volunteer Ambulance, C.H. Booth Library, The Parent Connection, Meals on Wheels, Newtown Youth and Family Services, EverWonder Children’s Museum, the Edmond Town Hall, The Newtown Fund, Dorothy Day Hospitality House, and our International Newtown Gift of Life challenge. Your participation truly goes a long way to give back to the community.”

He concluded by thanking this year’s Pancake Breakfast Chairman Mark Skerik.

“Organizing an event of this scale is not easy. There are a lot of moving parts, so a great deal of coordination has to happen. Mark’s commitment and hard work made this event seem practically seamless,” Villamil said.

Reporter Alissa Silber can be reached at alissa@thebee.com.