Fathers’ Day is coming up on Sunday, June 18. Also coming up are ‘coffee and donuts’ served at Maple Valley’s Cedar Grange Hall. Families are encouraged to drop in and surprise dad with special treats from 9:00 am until noon. A selection of fruit, as well as doughnuts larger than one’s hand are available. Treats and drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa and orange juice) are $5.00.
“Coffee and Donuts” was initially celebrated several decades ago; it was then known as Maple Valley’s “Traditional Pancake Breakfast.” In March 2023, after a long pause due to Covid restrictions, the Grange re-instituted a community gathering on a much smaller scale, with fruit, drinks, and doughnuts. They were hoping to stir up interest in meeting and greeting again with the oldtimers, newcomers, business owners, and drive-by drop ins.
Grangemaster Terry Beckler lamented, “I miss my job.” His job was to oversee flipping-and-serving pancakes and eggs the third Sunday of each month. It was a tradition he joined when he was in his early twenties; he recently celebrated his 76th birthday! Cedar Grange is a community service organization, a super friendly place. The Grange Hall serves as a meeting venue for several organizations including scouts, dancing, AA and NA (alcohol and narcotics fellowship), and Back Country Horsemen. It is also available for milestone family events such as graduation parties, birthdays, weddings, baby showers.
It takes about ten volunteers to put on the Pancake Breakfast. You do not have to be a Grange member to volunteer or to attend any of the events at the Hall. Miss Hobart, otherwise known at Reilly (Graceson) Mahoney has been a regular at the ‘coffee and donut’ event. She is a disability advocate who uses her platform to bring awareness to those with invisible illness.
In addition to treats and social time, the Grange is also stock full of books; a little library of donated books that keeps on growing. Biographies, self-help, travel, crafts, and cookbooks fill the shelves, as do science fiction, romance, adventure, and mysteries. Both hardcover and paperbacks are offered through donation only. It will be quite a way to start the day with dad.
