On the second Friday of the month, except for July and August, the Winthrop Congregational Church hosts a fish chowder luncheon. For $7 you get a bowl of homemade fish chowder, made fresh that morning and chock full of fish and potatoes. With the chowder you also get homemade biscuits, pickles, a piece of pie, crackers, and coffee and tea. If that isn’t what we Mainers would call a wicked good deal, then I don’t know what is.
Therefore, on Friday, I took out my trusty bike, which I’ve dubbed Blue Beauty, and pedaled to the Congregational Church, which is about a mile from my house.
When I got to the church, a nifty little sign assured me that I was indeed coming on the right day.
As I was locking my bike to a post, I could smell the rich fish chowder. But when I went in, what did I immediately see? The pie table, that’s what. Fish chowder is good, but to a Mainer, there is no lovely sight than a table full of pies.
I saw my friend Lee Gilman cutting a piece of pie to add to the table.
Resisting pie—it was a mighty struggle—I went to one of the tables to wait for my friend Claire Hersom.
At last came the chowder, and it tasted just as rich and good as it smelled.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Good write-up, Laurie. Not a bad picture, considering the subject. It’s an excellant advertisement for us as well. I hope a lot of people log on.
Thanks, Lee. Do spread the word about my blog. And I thought both the subject and the picture were very good.
Laurie, great article, so happy that you enjoyed your Fish Chowder Luncheon. We at the Winthrop Congregational Church UCC do know how to cook. The Chowder is made by three men of the church. The pie’s, biscuts, and piclkes are all made by the women of the church. It is all around a labor of love.
Great Blog, Laurie and Thanks for spreading the word about our Fish Chowder Luncheon.
You’re most welcome, Marie! Thanks for the kind words. And I’ll be back next month for more of that delicious fish chowder.