Rotarians Bringing Back Longtime Newtown Tradition

NEWTOWN, PA — The Newtown Rotary Club is bringing back a community tradition last held by the service organization decades ago.

On Sunday, Sept. 24 club members will serve a pancake and waffle breakfast from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion Hall at 41 Linden Avenue. The cost is $10 per person with children under the age of three admitted free.

"Almost 70 years ago, Rotary had done pancake breakfasts," said Rotarian Mark Craig, who is chairing the event's revival for the service club. "We thought it would be fun to bring it back while also raising money for the community."

For the event’s revival, the club has retained the service and talent of legendary Newtown chef Joe Garvey who is volunteering his time to whip up pancakes and waffles hot off the griddle.

His menu includes pancakes, waffles, sausage, bacon, potatoes, milk, orange juice, and coffee.

“Dating from the early days of Newtown Rotary we held pancake breakfasts,” said Craig, noting that somewhere along the line the tradition transferred to the Newtown Exchange Club.

"Our family would not miss a pancake breakfast. It’s just so much fun,” said Craig, who recalls attending pancake breakfasts through the years. “It’s something we did after church. You get to see everyone and enjoy a good meal.”

In researching the history of the breakfast in the club's archives, Craig came across a poster advertising the appearance of Aunt Jemima herself at one of the club's breakfasts to promote the pancake brand.

“Apparently she was quite an entrepreneur. She traveled the country based on her fame making a pretty good living being Aunt Jemima. That’s how she made a living,” said Craig.

In 2021, after decades of using the image, the Aunt Jemima brand name was discontinued by its current owner, PepsiCo. The company rebranded to Pearl Milling Company, the name of the company that produced the original pancake mix product.

“Her family wasn’t too happy. That was her livelihood when she was alive and it celebrates her," said Craig.

Half of the proceeds raised by the breakfast will be donated to the American Legion to offset expenses incurred by the Legion in staging the annual Newtown Memorial Day Parade. The other half will support Rotary causes and organizations.

"We’re always looking for ways to raise money to give back to Newtown,” said Craig the club, whose motto is "Service above self."

Tickets can be ordered in advance by scanning the QR Code on the poster below. Tickets will also be sold at the door on the day of the event.