Albany Golden K Kiwanis Club's Pancake Grill

The Story of the Grill
by John Hollowell

The first Pancake Breakfast by the Albany Golden K Kiwanis Club was held in 1994 using a Gas Pancake Grill borrowed from the Blue Bird Company of Fort Valley, Georgia.

After the second Breakfast, member Robert E. Wilkes, now deceased, contributed $1,000.00 in the spring of 1996 for the construction of our own Pancake Grill.  Member Marc G. Davenport, now deceased, volunteered to build one similar to the grill from Blue Bird.  Mr. Davenport, a retired Agricultural Engineer, received the blue print from Blue Bird to assist in construction and assembly of the grill.

A local machine shop (Blalock's) was used to machine the necessary parts which consisted of a 4 foot diameter stainless steel turntable.  All parts were assembled under Mr. Davenport's carport.

After the first Pancake Breakfast in 1997 using the new grill, it was decided that some modifications were required and Mr. Paul J. Donahoe, deceased, volunteered to make the necessary improvements.  He redesigned the heating system so that pancakes can be cooked in one revolution of the turntable.  Also, by removing the side panels of the grill, it can be moved through a 3 foot door.

To transport the grill, he made a unique trailer that consists of a hand winch and ramps to facilitate easy unloading and loading of the grill so it could be used outside or inside.

Shown on the plate on the grill are the dates and names of people who contributed their time and knowledge toward the completion of the grill:

"This pancake grill was donated by a Kiwanian, Robert E. Wilkes, to the Albany Golden "K" Kiwanis Club. September 25, 1996. Built by a Kiwanian, Marc G. Davenport. Modified by Kiwanian Paul J. Donahoe."