HOULTON, Maine — The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, located at 116 Main St. is preparing for its annual Shrove Tuesday pancake supper on Feb. 9 at Watson Hall.
Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called Fat Tuesday or Mardi Gras, was a religious holiday celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent. Since Lent is a time of abstinence — traditionally of meat, fat, eggs and dairy products — Shrove Tuesday’s menu was designed by the English to use up all the fat, eggs and dairy products left in the kitchen. Pancakes became the centerpiece of food during this festival. The same prohibition is mainly responsible for the association of eggs with the Easter festival at the other end of Lent.
For more years than people can remember, Watson Hall in Houlton has become a place where the families of the Episcopal Church have cooked pancakes, baked beans and sausages, and cakes to fill the stomachs of people who, in former days, would be looking forward to a much more austere diet during the weeks of Lent.
The community is invited to come feast on Feb. 9. The meal will be served from 4:30-6 p.m. It is an all-you-can eat feast and the cost is $7 for adults and $4 for children.
For more information, call 521-1713.
