Dave and Chris Scharf, accompanied by their grandson Domanic, are seen enjoying a pancake dinner at St. Clare’s Anglican Church on the outskirts of Winchester on Shrove Tuesday. Thompson Goddard Photo

CHESTERVILLE – There is nothing quite like a plate of pancakes, accompanied by delicious sides and toppings, to celebrate Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day. This year, throughout Dundas and Stormont there were several opportunities to enjoy a pancake dinner on Tues., Feb. 21.

Whether the dinner is enjoyed at home, in a hall or restaurant the origin of the celebration of its roots in Christian preparations for the season of Lent. Traditionally pancakes were cooked on Shrove Tuesday by Christians to use up sugar fats and eggs prior to the beginning of Lent the following day, Ash Wednesday.

Mardi Gras, translated into English as Fat Tuesday, has evolved into celebrations which can last for several days culminating in a festive parade on Shrove Tuesday. New Orleans in Louisiana is well known for its Mardi Gras, but there are similar celebrations in many countries such as Belgium, Germany, Sweden, and other European countries.

For the people of Stormont and Dundas enjoying a pancake dinner in the company of friends and family appears to be the favoured way to celebrate Shrove Tuesday. Throughout the two counties there were numerous successful pancake dinners held.

When entering the church hall at Christ Church Anglican in Long Sault, there was no doubt that a pancake dinner was being held as the delicious dinner aroma greeted guests. The dinner included pancakes, baked beans, and sausages which were enjoyed by all.

St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Ladies Aid Society hosted a full course pancake dinner at North Stormont Place in Avonmore. The dinner included baked beans, pancakes sausages, hash browns, and dessert with the opportunity to enjoy some local maple syrup. Organizers wished to thank the church volunteers and the community for their support and extend a special thank you to the Good Night Bed Company in Kemptville and McDonald Duncan Dore LLP from Cornwall, for their donations of dinner accessories and hams respectively to the event.

On Shrove Tuesday, the Rotary Club of Chesterville held a very successful pancake supper at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 434 in Chesterville. Organizers were pleased that approximately 100 people enjoyed the dinner while socializing with friends and neighbours. The dinner included pancakes and ham, with refreshments and for desert ice cream with strawberries. They extended their thanks to the volunteers and dinner guests before thanking their sponsors, Winchester Foodland, Mike Dean’s Local Grocer, Leslie Johnson, the McMillian Family Farm and Royal Canadian Legion 434 for the use of the hall.  “We were very happy to see how many people came out to support us,” commented Rotary president Beate Stewart, continuing “We would like to thank the sponsors for their support, thank the people who came out, and a thank you for the donations for the Chesterville signs,” with Stewart mentioning donations can still be made to this project.

St. Clare’s Anglican continued their tradition of serving up a pancake dinner complete with refreshments, pancakes, baked beans, ham, and desserts on Shrove Tuesday. Organizers mentioned over 100 people attended the event, with incumbent Rev. Stephanie McWatt commenting how she was extremely happy with the turnout at the event.