March 17 marks the 30th anniversary of the pancake and sausage benefit shared between the Bluffton Senior Citizens Center and Bluffton Lions.

Tonya Meyers of the Senior Center provided The Icon with some interested background on the event.

Betty Cookson was the director of the Bluffton Senior Citizens' Center in 1983 during the first Pancake and Sausage Benefit put on by the Bluffton Senior Center and the Bluffton Lions Club.

"John Gilbert, president of the Lions Club, came and asked if we would consider having a pancake day with the Lions, but in our building.

"Of course we jumped on the opportunity. The day was very successful," recalls Betty.

Rev. George Klinefelter was president of the Board of Directors for the Senior Center at the time and Dick Cookson, Betty's husband was an active member of the Lions Club.

"We borrowed a grill from Don Martz and used the small one that the Center owned," Betty remembers.

The Senior Center was housed at 121 S. Main St. (home of Town and Country Flowers today) at the time and quickly ran out of room during pancake day.

Betty says, "It was always a great community event." The event is now held at the current Senior Center Building, 132 North Main St.

Musical entertainment was added later with Scott Edwards being the first performer recalls Betty.

Musical entertainment has been a big draw over the years to the community event with local performers donating their time and talent.

"Scott Edwards has opened the day every year I have been here except one when a family commitment kept him away. We were not able to replace him because no one else wants to get up and play at 7 a.m." says current director, Tonya Meyer.

Other musicians performing this year are Jan Shields at 8 a.m., Jimmy Fruchey at 9 a.m., Krysti's Music students performing at 10 a.m. followed by Oscar Velasquez at 11 a.m. and Philip Murphy at noon.

To celebrate 30 years of working together, this year there will be door prizes. The prizes are donated from area business. Each of the banks in Bluffton have given prizes along with the Hilty Home and Hilty Child Care from Pandora and the Twin Lakes Park.

"We are hoping more of the organizations and companies in Bluffton will donate prizes as well. Although if they don't, the prizes that have been donated already fill the window at the Senior Center and will be a great addition to the fun day already planned," says Elaine Harris from the Lions Club.

Anyone buying a ticket to the breakfast will have a chance at the door prizes. You need not be present to win. The tickets are only $6.50 and include whole hog sausage, all you can eat pancakes, applesauce, and drinks.

Tickets are available at the Senior Center, from any Lions Club member or at the door. Children 5 and under are free with an adult. All proceeds benefit the Bluffton Senior Center and the Bluffton Lions Club.