By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The breakfast bell rang out across the Crescenta Valley last Saturday and the crowds responded. For the second year, the Crescenta Valley Town Council hosted its annual pancake breakfast to an almost sell out crowd on the quad at CV High School.

Though figures are still being calculated, organizer Frank Beyt said that this year appears to have been even bigger than before.

“We are still counting,” he said, “but it sure felt like we served more this year!”

Beyt reported that over 220 pounds of pancake mix, 1660 sausages, 14 cartons of orange juice, eight gallons of syrup, six gallons of milk, 145 dozen eggs and endless amounts of coffee kept breakfasts coming and everybody smiling.

A fair amount of product was donated, keeping the CV Town Council’s costs low.

“We really have to thank those who helped us out,” Beyt said. Vendors included General Mills, Gelsingers, Field Fresh Foods and Starbucks. The Griffith Park Lions Club again donated its kitchen on wheels which was manned by members of the Town Council and high school clubs.

Beyt admits to being nervous early in the morning as fog blanketed the valley. “As soon as 8:30 came around, though, it was like a bell was rung somewhere and people flooded in,” he said.

But what he enjoyed most was the community atmosphere that was apparent.  “People were sitting at the tables, interacting,” he said. “Everybody enjoyed it and are already asking if we’re going to do it again next year.”

Not only a fundraiser for the council, half the proceeds of all tickets sold by a non-profit organization were donated to the non-profit. The remaining funds will go toward the council’s scholarship fund.