By Jennifer Stultz
Tri-County Tribune Editor
jstultz@cherryroad.com

On a night when bitter North winds blew in snow flurries and dropped temperatures to wind chill factors near zero, and on a night when the Kansas City Chiefs football team was in a playoff game, and on a night when there were multiple other options for entertainment, one might think no one would go out for pancakes. That would be wrong.

The men of St. Paul Lutheran Church held their 68th Annual Pancake and Sausage Supper on Saturday, January 18 at Natrona.

“There was some discussion of canceling this year,” said spokesperson Donna Briggeman. “But we decided, this is Kansas, come cold weather or ice or snow, we just go ahead with our plans because you never know what is coming next.”

More than 225 people supported that decision and the pancake syrup flowed, right along with donations and conversation at the church event last weekend six miles northeast of Pratt at the St. Paul Lutheran Church just off 61 Highway. Those who stopped in came from Turon, Pratt, Iuka, Sawyer, Preston, Cullison, Stafford, and places in between and beyond.

“At the very beginning we were a little worried because there was no line, but then people started coming and it was pretty much a steady stream all night,” Briggeman said. “The tables filled up and refilled many times.”

Once out of the cold wind and snow in the parking lot, pancake feed goers were rewarded with the enticing smell of that secret-recipe French toast that the Lutheran Church has become famous for, at least at this once-a-year event.

“We tease a lot about our men having this secret recipe but I have actually seen it, and I know another woman who took a picture of it when it was in use a few years back,” Briggeman said. “You can have these only once a year because they really are not good for any diet.”

Along with that special French toast, the Lutheran men and youth served pancakes, waffles, eggs, juice, sausage, coffee, tea, milk, and all the necessary condiments. No one left hungry from the freewill donation meal.

The record turnout, which topped last year in people served and donation totals, will help launch St. Paul Lutheran Church’s celebration of its 125th Anniversary in September. Money raised also supports the Lutheran Laymans League for missions with scholarships for overseas bible correspondence courses, pastoral training, and other church projects outlined on the St. Paul Lutheran Church website.

“We are very thankful for the support,” Briggeman said.