Dena Martinez, right, works the pancake grill with other volunteers at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
BUTLER TWP — Delectable stacks of flapjacks and the chance to support a century-old nonprofit are just a few of the reasons why hundreds flock to Lifestep’s Pancake Festival each year.
The nonprofit, in partnership with the Butler Rotary Club PM, served up all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausages and refreshments to area residents for the 65th edition of the Election Day event Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora.
“It is a Butler tradition,” said Karen Sue Owens, president and CEO of Lifesteps. “Regardless of your political party, this is an opportunity to come together in fellowship. Through 65 great years, it’s also become a tradition to support a really good cause.”
Proceeds from the festival benefit the social service agency’s mission to help every individual live life to the fullest. Dozens of Rotary Club volunteers and adults with disabilities associated with Lifestep’s Transition Program joined forces from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. to accommodate hungry guests.
Kaitlyn Morgan puts down fresh place mats Tuesday, Nov. 5, at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
“They have been talking about pancakes for the last month,” Lifesteps program specialist Erin Simpson said of the adults in her program.
Many patrons who attended were making their way to and from polling precincts all over the county.
Several local representatives stopped by for breakfast, including U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, who brought roughly a dozen members of his campaign staff along with him.
Kevin Caporosa has attended the annual event for more than four decades. It has been held at three locations, including where it is now, and he’s seen each one over the years.
“This is one of the nicest things about Butler,” he said. “People talk to other people, and they open up. It’s nice to be able to sit down and break bread.”
Karen Grosclaude has lost track of the number of years she’s been helping out with the what’s become a popular bake sale at the festival.
But she expressed plenty of gratitude after learning that both her daughter and granddaughter would be assisting her during this year’s sale.
“It is special,” Grosclaude said. “I didn’t know that my granddaughter was coming. I thought it was just my daughter and I that were going to do it, but I was happy to see Vicky here too.”
Charlene Vicario, left, and Jackie Healey talk after eating their pancake meal at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Kaitlyn Morgan hugs her uncle Keith Rush at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Sue Jack puts a ticket in for the basket auction for the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Tracy Leturgey and her children, Leo and Stella, enjoy breakfast at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The lines stays consistent for pancakes and sausage throughout the day at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The lines stays consistent for pancakes and sausage throughout the day at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, talks with Anthony Carnicella at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, talks to several people as they wave and give a thumbs-up to show their support for him at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Isla Hare enjoys pancakes during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Leo Leturgey takes time after his pancake meal to color at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, talks with attendees at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The lines stays consistent for pancakes and sausage throughout the day at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Pancakes and sausage were served at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Leo Leturgey takes time after his pancake meal to color at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Pancakes and sausage were served at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Pancakes and sausage were served at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Pancakes and sausage were served at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Luella Gallagher kisses Roy Rader on the cheek as they greet each other during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
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Zach Kraus, a Slippery Rock student, helps refill the sausage bin for Nicholas Toubakaris during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Isla Hare enjoys pancakes during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Jim Basalyga Jr. wears his Trump hat as he eats a pancake breakfast at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Tracy Leturgey shows her son Leo where to color on the paper at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-16th, shows his “I Voted” sticker on his tie while visiting attendees at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The lines stay consistent for pancakes and sausage throughout the day at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Charlene and Larry Vicario are served pancakes from Dr. Stu, a volunteer, at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Kaitlyn Hare does daughter Isla’s hair during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The 65th annual Pancake Festival was held at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Anna Benjamin, left, and Evie Ambuske play as they prepare to leave after eating breakfast at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Kaitlyn Morgan hands out paper place mats at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
State Sen. Scott Hutchinson, R-21st, and his wife, Mary Beth, get pancakes at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
The 65th annual Pancake Festival was held at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Dr. “Stu” Stuart Surkosky flips pancakes at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Jim Basalyga Jr. and his wife, Betty, hold hands as they get in line for pancakes and sausage at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Dena Martinez, middle, works the pancake grill with other volunteers at the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
Tom Jaindra pours pancakes to be served during the 65th annual Pancake Festival at the Tanglewood Center in Lyndora on Tuesday, Nov. 5. Rob McGraw/Butler Eagle
Rob McGraw
