Serving up supper
Photo left, Rev. Patrick Stephens of Christ Church Seaway in Long Sault serves Andre Bakker a healthy serving of freshly cooked pancakes during the church’s annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. Thompson Goddard photo
Rotarian John Stewart, president of the Rotary Club of Chesterville, is shown with Anita Schoch at the reception desk at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner where a model of the new village sign for Chesterville was displayed. Thompson Goddard photo
The tradition of enjoying a pancake dinner or holding celebratory feasts on Shrove Tuesday dates back to a time when Christians had to use up the richer, tastier foods before the season of Lent, a period of fasting and reflection began on Ash Wednesday.
Pancake Tuesday for 2020 was held on Tues., Feb. 25 and The Chesterville Record had the pleasure of visiting pancake dinners at Christ Church Seaway in Long Sault, St. Clare’s Anglican near Winchester and the Chesterville Legion; where the Rotary Club of Chesterville provided the pancakes and good cheer.
Both St. Clare’s Anglican in North Dundas and Christ Church Seaway, an Anglican congregation in the Parish of the St. Lawrence, reported great turnouts of people for a dinner of pancakes, baked beans, a meat entrée and of course a delicious dessert along with the opportunity to visit with friends and neighbours.
The Rotary Club of Chesterville reported a fantastic turnout of people at the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Dinner. In addition to enjoying a pancake meal, guests were able to participate in a silent auction featuring several models of local maple sugar huts, created by Lori Dubois, and a maple leaf waffle iron. If diners enjoyed the maple syrup on their pancakes, provided by Grampie’s Sugar Shack, there was an opportunity to purchase some sweet maple syrup or maybe some local honey from local producers onsite, or perhaps enjoy a bit of maple sugar cotton candy from On The Bend Sugar Shack. There were crafts available for youngsters of all ages, while many enjoyed the opportunity to visit with friends and family.
Rotarian John Stewart, president of the RCC, said funds were being raised for a community project the club is undertaking with other local organizations to replace village signs at the three entrances to Chesterville. At the reception desk there was a model of the village signs for viewing.
Carolyn Thompson Goddard, grew up in Chesterville and attended North Dundas District High School. After completing her BA in Political Science at Carleton University she has worked as a medical secretary and library technician. In 2020 she graduated from Algonquin College with a diploma in Journalism and has been a reporter and column writer for The Chesterville Record for over 10 years.
