Brandon Collins, 6, bites into a golden brown pancake. | Clif Knight

The Somerville Courthouse Committee hosted its ninth annual Pancake Breakfast on Saturday in spite of dark skies and a drenching rain. Other activities planned for a Friday night and Saturday Somerville Celebration were postponed because of the rain.

Sheena Dugger, committee chairperson, said the celebration was rescheduled for Fri., June 14, from 6 to 9 p.m.

“We decided to drop Saturday activities,” Dugger said. “But we’re keeping the entertainment and fireworks show. “Local Boys Scouts will also play a part in the ceremony.”

Proceeds from the pancake breakfast will be used to help maintain the old courthouse and move the town closer to being able to restore the upstairs level of the building, according to Dugger.

“On a good day we’ll have 200 or more people come and eat pancakes,” she said. “We don’t charge an admission but ask supporters to make a donation to the courthouse project.”

“We get great support from the community,” Dugger pointed out. “The celebration is a team effort.” We usually do the grilling outside but the rain took care of that this year. Civitans are helping grill the pancakes in the community center.”

“We depend on donations from the pancake breakfast to get us through the winter months,” said Mayor Darren Tucker. We also get help from the music concerts we host on the courthouse grounds on Tuesday nights during the summer.

“We owe $45,000 on the first restoration phase of the courthouse,” he said. “We’re trying to get that paid off as quickly as possible so we can undertake the upper floor restoration We’re also in the process of seeking a state education grant. With its rich history, the courthouse could serve as a valuable source of information for student tour groups in the future.”