Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy our traditional Chowder Dinner in early November! We served over 100 dinners over the course of the evening to many happy friends and neighbors, many of whom lingered to talk and enjoy the evening together.

Much appreciation also for our brigade of generous volunteers: chopping potatoes, onions, garlic and assorted veggies, baking apple crisps, helping to set up the Hall and serving line, ladling out chowder and salads, portioning out desserts, standing in the cold night helping folks to park and navigate their way in to the dinner, watching over simmering cauldrons of chowder in the outdoor tent, running fresh batches of chowder to the serving line, washing pots and pans — they helped to make everything come together and we couldn’t have done it without them. Huge thanks to our tireless chef Bill Denow (pictured below at final tasting), who dedicates many days to ensure the chowders are made right and are always delicious. Thanks also to Falls Brook Organic Farm for the fresh salad greens; for those of you who asked, these are readily available to the public by requesting to join their weekly greens availability email list here.

We were able to raise just over $1000 through this event to put toward the maintenance of the Hall and Archives and funding of our public programs, but the purpose of the chowder dinner is never really as a big fundraiser – more as a fun raiser, as a happy diner once commented, and that’s what it was once again this year.

Finally, a special thank you to everyone who brought canned food to help support the Shoreline Soup Kitchens; we were so pleased to collect a generous amount, which has been delivered to their pantry at the First Congregational Church in Old Lyme. We hope to continue this effort as a new tradition at the annual Chowder Dinner!