As I was listening to the pouring rain Friday night I was wondering what kind of effect the weather was going to have upon the Clambake on Saturday. I looked at the forecast and showers were predicted for Saturday.
I didn't buy a ticket to the clambake due to my diet and a prior committment to care for my grandson while his parents work. I knew I wouldn't be able to eat most of what was on the menu. (I did however enjoy the smell of fresh clam cakes cooking!) The day of the event however I learned that Gerry Lemire had bought me a ticket.
I absolutely love being a grandparent and caring for my grandson while his parents work unfortunately, their work schedule conflicts with our scheduled events. I find it challenging to be focused on covering events while he is in my care which is why there is no coverage of so many of our yearly events on this forum.
Yesterday however, I was able to go up to the club prior to my family commitment. I got there about 2:30. I walked into the hall full of people with smiling faces, friendly greetings along with plenty of action going on. I saw Gerry Lemire enthusiatically moving along from table to table selling raffle tickets. I wish I could had gotten a photo of him proudly displaying the prize lobsters.
Then I walked into the kitchen to see a familiar face, Jayme Armstrong. She was cool, calm and collective and surrounding her were our younger club members Michala Knight, Eric Lucier, Machazie Knight, Austin Lynch and Karrissa Smith. They looked as if they were all waiting in anticipation eager to do whatever it was required of them. I also saw Jerry Guillemette floating in, out and about.
Then I stepped out of the kitchen to see Ron Chocquette outside with the deep fryer along with Jason Guillemettee making clam cakes. Jeff Lynch popped in and out of the kitchen to assist. Ron informed me the day didn't start out without its challenges, he told me when they got to the club in the morning they found that they didn't have any water. With the assistance of Sandy Smith they were able to temporarily resolve the problem. Ron was very pleased that this event was a near sell out.
Later I walked over to the fire pit that had been burning all morning to get the irons heated. There was Mike Penny with the water hose in antipation of what I refer to as the "sweep". The sweep is when the fire pit is cleared and then the iron balls and triangles are seperated from the hot wood coals and then put back into the fire pit. I watched as Briak Clark, Gordie Gould, Jack Hoberg, Ed Lucier, Matt Crocia and Mike Moroney seperated the iron's from the wood coals, put in the seaweed then stack and cover the food. When they finished suddenly it occurred to me that the weather was perfect! The timing also couldn't have been better, I went inside collected my personal belongings behind the bar that I entrusted with Jennifer Knight and Lauren Lynch and left to pick up my grandson.
When I got back all of the food had been served. I did manage to get in a lobster and some corn. What I ate was absolutely delicious! It wasn't long before I had to leave the table for it was time to draw winners for the raffles. The winner of the 50/50.... Gerry Lemire. The winners of the lobsters were Janet Yarush and Mike Ozella. Jerry Guillemette won a ticket for next years Clam Bake and Katie Tiedemann took some lobsters home.
After the drawing, Mary Tiedemann surprised her husband (Bruce Tiedemann - Treasurer) with a birthday cake. Happy 50th Bruce!
If you like seafood and were not able to attend this year's event be sure to mark this date on your calendar for next year!
us for a family camping and/or fishing weekend in May on the famous Housatonic river. If you are interested in either camping or flyfishing or both this will be a fun weekend. This event is open to members and non-members alike and their families. Signup now!!
