Pancakes and fellowship on the menu for breakfast

By Ginna Young

As a fourth generation maple syrup producer, Cedric Boettcher knows a thing or two about pancakes, and he likes people, so it’s only natural that his family host a free pancake feed each year. It’s been at least a decade, since Boettcher opened his home shop to the annual gathering, at 22683 80th Ave., in Cadott.

Originally, the spring pancake making took place out in the woods where the sap was gathered, with Boettcher and his church congregation getting together, cooking pancakes outdoors and having a nice outing. However, since it was outside, sometimes, the weather cooperated and sometimes, it didn’t.

So, Boettcher decided to move the pancake breakfast to his maple syrup shop and there it’s been ever since.

“It’s been going really good in there,” said Boettcher. Each year, hundreds are drawn in for not just the pancakes, but also sausage, cheese curds and applesauce. This time around, the event takes place Saturday, April 6, from 8 a.m. to noon, by free-will donation, with proceeds directed toward sound and video updates at the English Lutheran Church of Bateman.

Even though syrup production was up and down this unpredictable season, Boettcher still harvested plenty of sap to make syrup, starting Feb. 6, by far the earliest he’s ever begun.

“We enjoy doing it and it’s a tradition,” said Boettcher. Kids and adults are all welcome to attend the pancake breakfast, as a way to have a nice community outing.

“It’s fun to do it,” said Boettcher. “You get more out of it than just making it a fundraiser. It’s about fellowship.”