Let Me Call You Sweetheart Pancake Breakfast

Words and Photographs by Lulu Castiglione

Let me call you Sweetheart
I'm in love with you
Let me hear you whisper
That you love me too
Keep the love light glowing
In your eyes so blue
Let me call you Sweetheart
I'm in love with you

Since before the 15th Century, romantics and onlookers alike have come to appreciate February 14th as a day dedicated to love.  Candy hearts and flowers.  Candles and romantic dinners.  On February 17, 1943 the denizens of Swing Times celebrated love at their annual Let Me Call You sweetheart Pancake Breakfast.

The community event was held at The Green House. While soft romantic music was supplied by master D.J. Bushi Fretwerk, patrons were treated to an old family pancake recipes.  Pancakes were made with fresh strawberries, bananas and blueberries.  There were chocolate chip and peanut butter pancakes as well as good old buttermilk pancakes.  Maple and brown sugar syrups were made fresh that morning.

Along with assorted breads, muffins and fruit, there was bacon, sausage and steak & eggs.  Pink and red cupcakes and strawberries dipped in milk and dark chocolate satisfied many a sweet tooth.

Old and new friends came together to show their love for their community and for each other.  Although love comes in many surprising ways, one of the best moments for this writer was meeting a lovely young girl named Lu Sass.  St. Valentine was watching over her and I that day as she has come to join my family as my daughter and that is the true meaning of love for me.  These days pancakes mean love in our family.  As I mix a batch of chocolate chip pancakes I find myself humming "Let me call you sweetheart...." and look over to my daughters and can't wait to see what next Valentine's brings us.