Fire Department, Lions herald Canada Day festivities with pancake breakfast

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

With provincial health restrictions having lifted in time for Canada Day, the Strathmore Fire Department and Strathmore Lions each organized a pancake breakfast to welcome in the holiday.

“It’s a big hit, we’ve got some people [who] are coming out again,” said Acting Fire Chief, Bas Owel. 

“Obviously with restrictions lifting, it’s a bit of an anomaly for this year but we’re glad to see people coming out and comfortable coming for breakfast again.”

The breakfast was organized by the Strathmore Emergency Services Members Association (SESMA), and though is usually something that planning starts for in March, Fire Department Full-time Lieutenant Curtis Reid said this year was put together on relatively short notice.

“I think … everybody’s been looking at the horizon, wanting to get back to normal for a long time now, and it’s surreal that it’s here,” said Reid.

“It’s incredible to see in this community, when you have a deadline, you have something that came up and we want to do something for everybody to get out … and get back to a normal feeling of Canada Day, that we had those people in the community step up.”

According to Reid, Sobeys donated the supplies, Sparks Eggs donated 200-dozen eggs, Pure Country Meats made 2,000 sausages, and Tim Hortons donated the coffee.

Despite provincial restrictions being lifted, those who were serving food at both locations were wearing masks and gloves to just take that extra step in keeping people safe. 

“We still wanted to make sure we observe some of the COVID-19 protocols so we kept our tables far apart from each other and we closed down the road,” said Owel.

“With the reopening July 1, obviously everybody’s excited, but our primary goal and purpose for being here is public service and protecting people,” added Reid.

Owel said in previous years it was only the Fire Department who would put on pancake breakfasts, but with restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic being so recently lifted, the Strathmore Lions held a drive-through alternative to sitting down and being around the community.

Hayley Poirier of the Strathmore Lions said the drive-through is in essence a repeat of last year for them.

“Everybody kind-of knew what to expect this year again, so we had people lined up from the moment we started,” said Poirier.

Owel added proceeds from the Lions’ breakfast were donated to the Fire Department.