Lake Wales has always been sort of a "breakfast town", where various groups, mostly guys meet to have coffee, and a little something to eat. It's kind of an informal, relaxing way to start the day.

Perhaps the most unlikely breakfast gathering and the best kept breakfast secret in town happens every Tuesday morning at the Presbyterian Church fellowship hall where for a $2 donation, they'll argue you can get the best breakfast it town. Get a load of this!

For starters, there is Florida orange juice and lots of coffee, grapefruit in season and sometimes cantaloupe. Every Tuesday regardless of season, a dozen or so portions of hot, old fashioned oatmeal with raisin is dished out. You'll have your eggs scrambled (some prefer sunny side up) with sausage or bacon and of course country style cheese grits and biscuits. If you like, and most do, top it off with Barney's special, made from scratch hotcakes with warmed maple syrup or honey. Talk about your "power' breakfasts----all of the above and more if you want it----and you just gotta like the price.

You know what? This breakfast deal has been going on for nearly thirty years, every Tuesday, same time (7 AM), same place----they never miss.

It all started shortly after Pastor Dave Rockness came to town and had its beginning as a simple prayer meeting in the church library with Dave and former resident, Don Pollard and Barney Alford. Don and Barney got the idea that a breakfast meeting might attract a few more men. At first they met in local restaurants and then the two guys decided to do their own cooking with Don the lead chef and Barney his faithful assistant. "Feed 'em and they'll come" said Don and sure enough they did---the group began to grow.

When Don moved away, Barney, well known as the retired Director of Horticulture at Bok Tower became the Executive Chef, His assistant for the past eight years has been Edwin Albritton, long time Lake Walean citrus man. The two report to the kitchen every Tuesday and begin the magic that results in this all you can eat $2.00 breakfast. Now these two guys are not your standard, run of the mill kitchen help. Both are in their eighties, both are distinguished veterans of World War II. Barney's valor in the "Battle of the Bulge" earned him the "Silver Star" as well as a battlefield promotion. Captain Edwin, a navigator on B29's did considerable flying during the war including ten missions over Japan. Their kitchen understudy is hardworking Milo Miller, who at 65 is still a bit young but quite able and considered a very promising trainee. The energy and enthusiasm that these men dish out along with their hotcakes is in no small way responsible for the success of these weekly men's breakfast gatherings.

Their customers each Tuesday are men with varied interests who come to enjoy a real man's breakfast along with fellowship, topical discussion and prayer---they feed hungry bodies and hungry souls as well. They number from 15 to 35 and are from all walks of life and from all parts of the country, mostly, they are just regular guys. thoughtful, caring men who have one thing in common, they are all "believers" or want to be. Pastor Dave during a short, meaningful and extremely informal devotional period encourages the men to express their cares and their concerns. One thing is certain, it is very likely that you will walk out of Fellowship Hall on Tuesday mornings feeling very good about having been there. Indeed, the real "power" in Barney's power breakfast is the relationship these men have with each other. He shops weekly for supplies and handles the affairs of the group. He is often asked how he and Edwin can manage such a complete breakfast, week in and week out for only $2.00. Are you subsidized? "No way", says Barney, "not only do we prepare it for $2.00 but we show a profit as well". This profit, we learned is gifted periodically to the Care Center, to Church missions or to other worthwhile causes. One year the men made a substantial gift to "Hugo" for hurricane relief

Barney was recently asked, "you've been doing this every Tuesday for nearly thirty years, what in your opinion, is the "highlight" of these breakfast gatherings"? Barney replied, "that's easy, it is the wonderful camaraderie that is so enjoyable, it brings together these fine men who, under God, if you please, care about each other and care about others as well."

Edwin considered another factor, that this breakfast is wide open to any man, regardless of church affiliation. Any man who seeks fellowship with some very regular but compassionate guys for an hour on Tuesday mornings is welcomed and heartily encouraged to come and have "Breakfast with Barney".