Pancake Breakfast Fly-in Raises Thousands for Scholarships
August 10, 2025
Despite persistent fog that limited the number of aircraft flying in, the Chapter 54 pancake breakfast on August 1, 2025 at Lake Elmo Airport (21D) was a quite a success by almost any other measure.
More than 500 breakfasts were served during the chapter's only fundraiser, the proceeds of which fund the chapter's education efforts intended to help young people in our communities gain a pathway to aviation. See photos of the day's events.
Once the fog left the area, aircraft coming in included three helicopters which were big hits. The Washington County Sheriff's Department also provided a K9 demonstration. And an aviation book giveaway provided extra funds for scholarships.
This year, the chapter's aircraft judges selected Jerry Chapman's 1946 Aeronca 7AC Champ for the Best in Show Award.
Matt Cooper took home honors in the Best Experimental category with his T-18 Thorp.
About 50 chapter members donated their Sunday to help make the event a reality, some of them also gave up their Saturday evening for setting up the event, which culminated more than six months of planning.
If the chapter holds the event again in 2026, it will be held on Sunday August 9, 2026. Why not make a note to keep the day open to attend or volunteer
Thank you to these outstanding local businesses for helping us with this year's fundraiser.
Special Thanks:
EAA Chapter 54 members: Marlon Gunderson, Bob Collins, Jay Schrankler, Chip Berniard, Mark Shanahan, Dan Bergstrom, Karen Bergstrom, Emma Hanson, Jon Pierce-Ruhland, Evanglos Savvas, Bruce Olson, Dan Theis, Trent Redmann, Elisha Redmann, Stan Ross, Vicky Moore, Mike Graczyk, Ed Trudeau, John Roznick, Dale Seitzer, Don Wishard, Bill Schanks Jr., Guy Freeman, John Ostrem, Nancy Ostrem, Joe Brown, Stephen Brown, Jon Dekko, Scott Hanson, Jennifer Hanson, WoonYi Hanson, Julie Bunn, Lauren Gunderson, Donaven Chase, Anna Chase, Traci Berniard, Ben Rehnelt, Jim Pearsall, Jeff Dale, Diane Syverson, Dave Syverson, Harry Holmberg, John Tangen, Gregg Adler, Barry Dayton, Craig Mueller, Paul Skluzarcek, Jeff Hove, PJ Mally, Luke Hanson, Al Meuli, Dave Harvey, Carrie Freeman, Leif Erickson, Paul Rankin, Al Kuperferschmidt, Roger Westerberg, Matt Cooper, Jon Noble, John Gozum
Phil Tiedeman, Manager, Lake Elmo Airport
Keith Thompson, Federal Aviation Administration (air traffic control) and his team
Washington County Sheriff and Deputies
Minnesota State Patrol
EAA Chapter 25, Lakeville, MN.
Don's Sugar Shack
Bayport Fire Department
Minnesota Department of Transportation
MSP Airport Police
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
