Annual pancake supper

THE BELCH'N CONGO HELD ANNUAL ALL-THE-PANCAKES-YOU-CAN-EAT FESTIVAL

March 11, 2008.

Named after longtime member of the 1st Congregational United Church of Christ, the late Cecil Cox, the affair was held as usual in the all-purpose basement. Habitual pancake batter-mixers and flippers held their posts effectively. Good old times were had by all. Ample service provided by other steady members and several youth, seasoned regulars and apprentae.

We remember, too, blind Harry Smith, who tickled the wild ivories to the sound of the queued patrons at the ringing cash register. Other volunteers at the yearly affair smilingly performed such duties as called upon. As customary, members of the church bought many additional tickets to be given to less advantaged good supper-anticipating community guests. A bake sale by the women of the church provided the icing on many cakes, in the fellowship hall.

At top, we picture Cecil, who regularly oiled the steeple bell bearings. Many times he climbed the aged heights of the creaky and crispy, wide-spaced wooden stairs to keep the church's clarion voice swinging freely; a giant bell made ringable by a sturdy rope from the mechanical-advantage-providing big bell wheel to the vestry far below, even handleable by small and wide-eyed rope-pulling Sunday Schoolers. This was thanks to Cecil Cox, a man who did innumerable faithful tasks for his church, great and small, throughout his many years there. And, including organizing well the annual pancake supper. (Belch'n Congo is a joke from the SR News, not Cecil's
terminology.) RIP!