February 15, 2008
By RAELYNN RICARTE
News staff writer

PARKDALE — The sound of laughter and the enticing smells of home cooking greeted anyone walking through the doors of the Parkdale Community Center on Sunday morning.

About 70 people showed up to enjoy the monthly breakfast sponsored by the Upper Valley Lions. The club has been preparing the monthly meal from November through May for more than 25 years.

“People tend to get ‘cabin fever’ this time of year because the weather isn’t usually good for traveling so we provide them with a social outing,” said Jean Hadley, Lions secretary.

The cost for the feast is $5 and includes a beverage and plate heaped with pancakes, scrambled eggs and sausage patties.

Art Carroll, a member of the Odell Lions, tries to attend as often as possible because, “It’s a damn good meal and a good way to support a fellow club.”

The breakfast served from 7 to 11 a.m. on the second Sunday of each month doesn’t just draw local residents. Ernie and Julia Stillwell of The Dalles make it a regular outing so they can catch up with old friends — and make new ones.

“We have gotten acquainted with everyone here and it’s fun,” said Ernie.

These days there are more teenagers working at the breakfast than adults. The Leos Club for ages 12-18 has 35-40 active members, double the number of adults that donate time and talents to the Upper Valley Lions.

“I think our biggest contribution to this community has been sparking young people to get out there and perform public service,” said President Leslie Hoover-Lauble.

Annie Strader, co-president of the Leos and a junior at Hood River Valley High School, most enjoys parking cars at area events.

“It’s really fun because you can make slick dance moves to go with it,” she said.

Kylie McPherson, also a junior, looks forward to helping out with parking at the annual county fair for a different reason. “We all just have a good time no matter what we are doing and it feels good to contribute,” she said.

The money generated by the Lions breakfast and other fund-raisers is used to support 39 different projects, including the sight/hearing mobile screening van and a reading program at the local school.