Lobsterfest is a cracking good time

Charleswood

Varsity View

Tuxedo

River Heights

Folks with a taste for the finer things in life, who also have a passion for supporting good causes, might look no further than the Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Charleswood’s upcoming Lobsterfest fundraiser.

This year’s event will be held on Friday, June 19, when pre-ordered lobster and chicken meals will be provided on a curbside pickup basis at Varsity View Community Centre (315 Laxdal Rd.,) where they will be available for collection between 3 and 7 p.m. Participants must present a ticket or confirmation of an online purchase at that time.

Cathy Skene, a past Rotary Club of Winnipeg-Charleswood president and a key Lobsterfest organizer, said the fundraiser used to be an in-person affair when attendees dressed up and “had a roaring good time” but COVID-19 changed that. Now, organizers find the curbside pickup format works well, not least because it gives participants the opportunity to barbecue their purchases, as some of them will likely be on their way to the cabin. The fundraiser also falls on Father’s Day weekend.

Lobsterfest participants can be assured the lobster they’ll be acquiring is as fresh as it can possibly be factoring in travel time, as it’ll be flown in from New Brunswick and chilled until it’s picked up. Reheating instructions will be provided.

“It’s a very popular Rotary fundraiser,” Skene said, noting it has been running for at least 30 years. “It’s important because it supports the projects we do. Our signature project is advocating for Assiniboine Forest. Not everyone knows you can come into the forest. The city owns it, and we advocate for it.”

Skene, who lives in River Heights, said the club has been involved with installation of an Assiniboine Forest sign, which incorporates the colours used to identify the different trails in the forest. Club members are also working on putting in a seasonal toilet in the forest, which is a work in progress.

Beyond the forest’s borders, for example, RCWC also supports literacy in Winnipeg and Guatemala, and supports Rossbrook House and provides various student scholarships.

Noting the overarching Rotary motto is “service above self,” Skene said the club is always happy to accept new members. It currently has members from Linden Woods, Tuxedo and as far afield as St. Andrews, Man.

Skene’s own passion for the cause is highlighted by the fact she’ll take on the role of district governor of District 5550, which covers all of Manitoba; a large part of Saskatchewan; and Dryden, Kenora and Sioux Lookout in Ontario.

“I love meeting people and love getting to know people all over the place,” Skene said.

Email cathy.skene@gmail.com or visit portal.clubrunner.ca/1000 for more details.