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Pancakes and sausage is a classic breakfast combination, and it was certainly a big hit with the Pilot Club’s Pancake and Sausage Day this year.

Every year, the Pilot Club of Andalusia hosts the annual event at the Kiwanis Community Center. Reports indicate the event was first held during the 1950s. There were 1,060 tickets sold at $7 each for all-you-can-eat pancakes and sausage on Saturday, Dec. 4.

Pilot Club President MaryAlyce Outlaw pours pancake batter onto a griddle.

Pancakes have been in existence for centuries, and it’s believed they got their beginnings over 30,000 years ago. They are also known as hoecakes, johnnycakes, griddle cakes, and flapjacks.

“The Pilot Club started this tradition many years ago when it used to be held at the Sherf Memorial Building. We start planning in October for this event each year. It takes a lot of planning and preparation to be prepared for this large event. It has become an annual tradition that Andalusians look forward to each year. It’s a wonderful morning of good eating and wonderful fellowship,” Pilot Club Fundraising Chair Mellisa King said.

The Pilot Club put its members to work with different assignments for the event. Pictured from left are Carolyn Davis, Lori Couturie, Sharon Scott, and Dianna Nelson serving plates to those in attendance.

King added that event duties are assigned to Pilot Club members through a work area schedule. “The members and anchors sign up for time slots. We also have close friends who volunteer to help us sometimes. It takes a group effort to put on this event each year, and we could not do it without all the help. We are very grateful for each and every person who is involved to make it run efficiently and successfully.”

Pilot Club members who have been a part of the organization for several years are trusted with the recipe. The pancake batter is buttermilk-flavored and mixed by hand.

Renee Maio, left, and Teresa Skanes were hard at work whisking batter for buttermilk pancakes.

“Ms. Ollie Brown shares her recipe with us, and each pancake is made with tender loving care. Once the batter is whisked to the consistency we are looking for, we drop it onto a hot griddle and allow the pancake to cook to the proper temperature. We used Kelly’s Sausage cooked by Marilyn Williams,” she said.

The 2021 event proved to be a huge success and brought a great crowd.

The Pilot Club of Andalusia had a big showing for its annual Pancake and Sausage Day event held at the Kiwanis Community Center on Saturday, Dec. 4.

“We were thrilled with the turnout this year. We appreciate all the love and support shown to us during the event. Our line got a little backed up a couple of times, so we are working on plans to have more places to cook on. Once we started cooking at 4:30 a.m., we never stopped until 11:15 a.m. The good thing was that the pancakes were hot and fresh. This year went really well, and each year, we strive to be sure that the next year is even better,” King said.

The Younger and Neumeier families came all the way from Gulfport, Mississippi to enjoy quality time at the Pilot Club’s annual Pancake and Sausage Day event.

According to King, the event is successful because of the Pilot Club’s relationship with everyone. “They support us in our efforts to raise funds for our community. Andalusia is wonderful about supporting things that go on in our community. Many look forward to this event each year.”

Pancakes and sausage were not the only things on display as the BPW held its annual Christmas Bazaar with several vendors in attendance.

The BPW also held their annual Christmas Bazaar at the event. Pictured from left are Vicki Kitchens, David Daugherty, Dr. JoAnne Smith, and Shauna Robertson who were on hand selling wreaths for a breast cancer survivor.

For more information call Mellisa King at 334-504-1469. The Pilot Club meets every fourth Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Andalusia Area Chamber of Commerce.

“We invite you to join us. We strive to do more, care more, and be more in our community. We thank everyone for supporting us and helping us to continue to make Andalusia a wonderful place to live,” King said.