By SASHA JOHNS / Community Columnist

If you haven’t been to the monthly Shelby Iron Works pancake breakfast, and you love cinnamon, May 4 is a great day to spice up your life by showing up again.

After five years of $5 pancake breakfasts, the dedicated volunteers at the Iron Works have introduced their first new menu item: cinna-swirl pancakes.

Never heard of the Shelby Iron Works pancake breakfast? It all started in 2014 when the building of Company Hall, where the pancakes are served, was completed.

The pancake breakfast was created to help the Historical Shelby Association, who owned the Iron Works at the time, to raise funds for preserving the history of the park.

On the first Saturday of every month, from 7-10 a.m., you can come by the Iron Works and get a big of stack of pancakes, bacon or sausage, and coffee, tea or juice for just $5.

Thanks to longtime volunteer and resident pancake maker Dan Valles, you can now get cinna-swirl pancakes for just a dollar more.

“It’s important to keep things interesting,” said Jennifer Maier, executive director of the park. “We did a trial run with samples a few months ago and the feedback was so positive, we added the cinna-swirl pancakes to the menu permanently.”

For newcomers to Shelby county, the pancake breakfast is also a way to meet involved community members and make new friends.

The breakfast has a following of steadfast supporters that are always welcoming to new faces, and it is their earnest desire to see folks from all over the county every month.

The proceeds from the breakfast not only serve to maintain the historical site, but also go toward future improvements for county residents to enjoy.

Currently, the army of volunteers serves about 300 guests that are coming and going between the hours of 7-10 a.m. each month, but they’d like to see that number grow.

It might seem like a long way to drive for breakfast, but keep in mind there are other attractions to visit at the Iron Works Park after breakfast.

In addition to the quaint little country store run by Paula Zabransky and Bonnie Schrader, you can tour the one-room school house, farm house and even catch a few working blacksmiths at the industrial museum.

It’s a great outing for the entire family that builds community in Shelby County and also preserves history.

Last year the Historical Shelby Association merged with the Shelby County Historical Society, which now owns and maintains the park and the breakfast.

They are not only hoping you come out for pancakes; they would love for you to volunteer too.

“Tell your friends and family about the breakfast,” Maier said. “Once they come they will be hooked. And we always need volunteers to help serve. We will need even more volunteers as we continue to grow.”

The breakfast is held at 10268 Highway 42, in Shelby every first Saturday from 7-10 a.m., and welcomes everyone in the Shelby County area.