Breakfast

I'm not a big fan of breakfast. Most days a few cups of coffee and I'm good until lunch. Saturday I made an exception. Looking back seems like there was plenty of fire department things for me on Saturday. We started the day going to the Victoria/Copley Fire Department Fireman's Breakfast. The village of Victoria has a population of about 380. When you go through on Illinois 167 you would likely guess that the population figure also includes cats and dogs. Aside from the folks coming to town to visit Nowhere Bar and Grill there isn't much to see there. In an interesting aside the story goes if you have been to Nowhere Bar when you get home and are asked by your wife: "Where have you been?" You may truthfully reply: "Nowhere." They had a cocktail called "Nothing". So once again when asked if you had anything to drink you could reply truthfully "nothing".

 On to the breakfast story. It appeared that everyone from Victoria and the surrounding area decided Saturday was a great day to have pancakes and sausage. The only other option for the day was biscuits and gravy. Carol and I went with the pancakes and were served a generous portion of three paper plate sized pancakes and an ample sausage patty. The helpers came around several times to ask if we needed more pancakes or wanted biscuits and gravy. We had some trouble finishing what we were served without requesting more.

As is the tradition at these affairs payment is a donation in cash to the fire department. It is a sound business decision in the rural Midwest. If you asked for $5.00 per person that is what you would be paid. If you request a donation the amount donated will almost without exception exceed the five dollar amount. Everyone wants the firemen to have the gear and equipment they need to safely and effectively fight any fire in the village or surrounding area. As my fellow blogger Mike noted there is a difference between offerings by the various local fire departments. Of the three I attend I must admit the food is best at the Appleton Fire Department.

So, if your travels bring you to the Midwest and you see a local fire department in one of the small towns is have a breakfast, do yourself a favor and stop by. You will not be disappointed. It is a gathering of some of the finest folks you could possibly meet anywhere. Have some pancakes, a cup or two of coffee and some interesting conversation on what is right or wrong with America. Maybe you will get lucky and the same day another local department will be doing a controlled burn to practice their fire fighting skills.