The Dartmouth Grange hosted its annual lobster bake on July 9, raising $400 and supporting local businesses in the process.

Nearly 30 community members dined on lobster, corn, potatoes, brown bread, watermelon, and lemonade—all of which came through either Alderbrook Farm or the Westport Lobster Company.

Sam Manley, president of The Dartmouth Grange, said they brought back the lobster bake tradition about 10 years ago in order to raise money for The Grange and the work they do promoting rural living and the community.

Manley said the Grange—which dates back to 1888—sold clambake tickets for 25 cents in the early 1900s (50 cents if guests purchased a lobster). Tickets this year were $35 per person.

Laura Vaughan and Paul Andonian took a break from their bike ride to stop in for lunch. “The Dartmouth Grange does a lot of great things and we like to support it,” Vaughan said. “We also love lobster,” she added.

Barbara Plant lives around the corner from The Grange. “This is my first time at the lobster clam bake,” she said. She said everything was delicious and excitedly added, “I am bringing home the tail.”

The Grange offers its hall to community members as part of its services. In 2007, they added a commercial kitchen, which they rent out as well for community events. “We make this kitchen space available to food entrepreneurs, growers, caters and folks that want to get invested in a culinary project, but don’t necessarily have the funds to do it in a commercial kitchen,” said Manley.

They utilized the kitchen for the lobster bake, which Manley’s wife Julie helped run. “Everything went well because all the volunteers were seasoned. They knew what to do and what to expect,” she said.

Volunteer Jean Brown also helped cook, and has been involved for about nine years. “I love to help in any way that I can. I enjoy it and enjoy meeting new people,” she said.

Donald Plant designed The Grange Kitchen pro-bono about 10 years ago, and attended the event with his wife Kathy. “It feels good when a plan comes together,” he said. “[The kitchen] will be here for a long time, long beyond me,” he said.

The Dartmouth Grange is located at 1133 Fisher Road.