Eva Baldi
Shawville June 11, 2023
Over 150 pre-cooked lobsters from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island were packed on ice and flown to Ottawa for the Lions Club’s lobster dinner on Sunday June 11.
One-hundred people gathered in the Agricultural Hall on the Shawville Fair grounds, and the 93 people who were not able to stay for the meal took their meal to-go. The meal cost $55 for dine-in and $50 for take-out.
Those who do not like lobster but still wanted to show their support for the Lions Club were given the option to eat beef tenderloin.
The lobster dinner was served with coleslaw, potato salad and dinner rolls and cakes baked at the Pontiac Home Bakery in Shawville.
Eric Smith takes credit for coming up with the idea, the inspiration coming from the many times he has been to Prince Edward Island and enjoyed their world-famous lobster.
“I enjoy lobster. I don’t eat them very often, but I do enjoy them especially if I get a chance to go to P.E.I. I’ve been there numerous times, and I always enjoy that lobster,” said Smith. “So the idea was to have the lobsters cooked there and flown to Ottawa. They’re just packed in ice so they’re fresh.”
Smith wanted to thank all of the volunteers that made the evening possible. He especially wanted to thank Tom Orr who Smith believes does not get enough recognition for helping the Shawville Lions despite not being a member. This year, Orr provided all of the take-out containers and gave the Lions a cash donation.
According to Smith, generous donations such as this, as well as support from community members, are the most important things for the Shawville Lions Club.
“I think the biggest thing is that our community supports the Lions Club fundraising, and the Lions are there to help people who need a little bit of a hand up or support from the Lions Club,” said Smith, “When people help the Lions and the Lions help people that are less fortunate.”
