This time of year pancake breakfasts abound in northeast Ohio. Churches, community organizations and other groups are busy flipping their special versions of cakes.

The West Geauga Kiwanis have been delivering this culinary pleasure for more than 50 years. Attending the yearly events has been one of our happy, family traditions for about two decades.

The cakes are light, fluffy and wonderfully delicious, especially when smothered with the real, golden maple syrup that's set out on each table.

Also making the event pleasurable is the finely-honed procedure the Kiwanis have developed over the years. A usual lengthy line moves quickly and a multitude of upbeat volunteers are at-the-ready pouring coffee and filling up empty plates.

We still get a kick out of the paint sticks marked with "pancakes" and "coffee" that one need only raise to summon workers ready to fulfill requests.

Assuredly, there are other pancake breakfasts where the food is yummy and the process well-organized. The West G Kiwanis' pancake-fest certainly has to be very near the top of that list.

The breakfasts are available from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. March 15, 22 and 29 at West Geauga High School on Route 306 in Chesterland.

--Jean Bonchak