By Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Piles of pancakes were served at Lowe-Volk Park on Saturday as the Friends of the Crawford Park District held their annual Pancakes in the Park.
Beginning at 8 a.m. and running through 1 p.m. Saturday, for a $5 donation, patrons could get a plate of warm ham and pancakes along with coffee or juice to help the Crawford Park District and its programs. Crawford Park District Director Bill Fisher explained where the proceeds from the donations will go.
“The proceeds go to our non-profit part of the park district, The Friends of the Crawford Park District,” Fisher said. “They support special projects like our Kids Learning Tree. The non-profit donated $5,000 towards the total that it took to build that, and they will help with summer camps and mostly kids’ stuff, but if the park district needs something they will come to their aid.”
The pancakes were cooked by chief chef Emerson Eckstein, with help from Matt Eckelberry, and Don and Missy Hatfield. Maple syrup made in Crawford County was provided by Hartshuh Family Farms.
Also taking place from 7 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturday at Lowe-Volk Park was a bird banding program with Bob Placier. The bird banding event was cross promoted with Pancakes in the Park and was located on the back porch of the Nature Center. During the event, Placier, along with park district naturalists Josh Dyer and Lisa Bogard captured various bird species, banded them, gathered information on the birds, and then released them.