Carthage Rotarians will be flipping flapjacks Thursday, as they do every year, hoping to peddle enough pancakes to help some young people from their end of the county go to college.

The all-you-can-eat pancake supper will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. at Crain's Creek Middle School, which is next to Mama's Kitchen at 4631 Union Church Road.

"All proceeds support our youth scholarship fund, and we promise it will be an evening of great food, good fellowship and excellent student entertainment," said club President Rose Cooper, who is also principal of Crain's Creek Middle.

Something about making and eating pancakes is fun, and the tradition goes way back. Shrove Tuesday - or Mardi Gras - was long ago also known as "Pancake Day" when folks turned the last of their eggs and butter into pancake batter before starting to fast until Easter. They tucked into feasts of pancakes to use up the supplies of fat, butter and eggs - forbidden foods during Lent.

Every year, the Carthage club raises money to provide scholarships for students from North Moore and Union Pines high schools.

Over many years, the Carthage Rotary Club has pitched pancake parties at schools in the Carthage area. Cooper was principal of Carthage Elementary before moving to Crain's Creek, the newest middle school in the county system, and the club will hold its pancake supper there this year.

Plates are $5. The club says that is a good deal for families with youngsters, because children under 5 eat free. The fundraiser is more than a flapjack feed - it's an evening of family fun. Crain's Creek students will be putting on an art show and providing musical entertainment for griddlecake munchers.

"Come support Carthage Rotary at their annual pancake supper scholarship fundraiser," Cooper said. "Come join us for food, fun and fellowship."

Contact John Chappell at (910) 783-5841 or jfchappell @gmail.com.