Millerton Fire Department's pancake breakfasts garner big support

MILLERTON — All good things must come to an end. Last Sunday was the last pancake breakfast of the season for the Millerton Fire Department, and local residents made sure the series concluded with a bang.

While the department usually sees good attendance numbers, with an average of about 250 hungry residents served per breakfast, Sunday was above and beyond expectations, with 352 orders taken. That’s a new record for the pancake breakfasts in Millerton, which have been going on for close to 40 years.

The department hosted nine breakfasts, with each one raising about $500 to $600, according to Al Andrews.

“We’d be hurting without it,� he acknowledged, saying the money goes toward a variety of uses, including subsidizing the cost of uniforms for the parades, equipment and even buying gas for some of the company’s fire trucks. And that’s not mentioning the money that the crew gives back to the community.

“We help out the food pantries when they need it, sometimes a couple times a year,� Andrews said. “We do the Holiday of Lights and the Easter egg hunt. If we come across people in need, we try to help them out.�

The breakfasts usually last from about 7:30 in the morning (although Andrews said they haven’t turned anyone away for showing up at 7) until 11 a.m. The firemen help out, as do nonmembers and students from Webutuck, who receive community service credit for their efforts. Andrews said there will be a pizza party soon to thank the nonmembers for contributing throughout the year.

And to top off a worthy cause, there are reports that the food isn’t half-bad either.

“It’s the best deal in town,� said Henry Deneke with a smile. Deneke and his wife, Carol, are regulars at pancake breakfasts like these.

“They’re here for us 24 hours a day,� Deneke said. “It’s good that we come here for them. Plus, you get to see old friends and meet new ones.�

“We have great community relations,� Andrews echoed. “The community really supports us very well here.�

There were several raffles, including a ham donated by Freshtown, gift certificates from Cumberland Farms and afghan quilts made by Susan Brewer and Jane Wells. Helen Grant won the quilt, and T. Walker won the ham.

Inside the food was on the fryer, and outside the Cub Scouts from Wassaic had set up their car wash, to raise money for programs and trips, as well as for the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DCSPCA) in Hyde Park. The fire company helps out groups like the Cub Scouts and Webutuck seniors when they need to raise money for class trips and events.

Even though the pancake breakfasts are over for the summer, the fire company still has plenty of events for the community to look forward to in the near future, with block dances, tractor pulls and line dances scheduled for those hot summer months.

“The turnout has been excellent, every month,� said Andrews. “I think the folks enjoy coming here and talking with neighbors. You get to know one another. I’d said we’ve had an excellent year.�

Andrews and fellow breakfast organizer Bill Lutz thanked the community for its support, along with all those who helped make the breakfasts a success.