The New York Times recently featured American shad in an article exploring the fish’s historic importance, cultural legacy, and declining presence in American waterways. The article, titled “A Fish, Yes, but Also a Forgotten American Hero” also highlighted the Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake tradition.
“Aficionados enjoy shad on cedar planks at the Essex Shad Bake, in Essex, Conn., held the first weekend in June. Joseph Shea, an organizer of the bake, said the event has perfected a method of capturing the oil that drips off the planked shad, using it to further stoke the flames of the open fire.”
Read the full gift article here:
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/dining/shad-herring-fish.html?unlocked_article_code=1.i1A.WdhQ.-83e_Rg6UqQK&smid=em-share
Join Us for the Rotary Club of Essex Shad Bake 2026
Click HERE to purchase tickets!
Click HERE to become a sponsor!
Get ready for an unforgettable afternoon at this annual culinary tradition, dating back to 1958, that is a quintessential Spring ritual of the Connecticut River.
Date: Saturday, June 6, 2026
Time: 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Location: Essex Island Marina, 11 Ferry Street, Essex, CT
Getting There: Park in Essex and take the ferry at the corner of Pratt and Ferry Streets.
What’s on the Menu?
New England clam chowder, oyster & clam appetizers start at 3:00 PM (available at an additional cost)
Cash bar with beer, wine, and soda open from 3:00 – 6:00 PM
Shad Bake Dinner served between 4:30 – 6:00 PM
Live Entertainment by As Time Goes By Swing Band!
🎟️ Tickets:
$50 Online (available until June 5)
$60 at the event
Details
Celebrating Excellence in Rotary Leadership
Stephanie Phillips, the Governor of Rotary District 7980, proudly presented Dr. Timothy Tobin with the Rotary International 2025–2026 Club President Award. This distinguished honor represents the highest recognition a Rotary club can achieve worldwide.
The award celebrates outstanding achievement in meeting the goals set forth by Rotary International’s President for the year, which are vital to Rotary’s mission of creating lasting change in communities locally and across the globe.
Dr. Tobin’s leadership, together with the dedication of the entire Rotary Club of Essex, reflects the club’s strong commitment to service above self. The recognition not only highlights the club’s recent accomplishments but also is inspiring for the impact on our community.
Check out the incredible highlights from last year’s event:
| OUR ROTARY CLUB MEETINGS: We meet at 6:00 pm. every Tuesday at Scotch Plains Tavern in Essex |
Rotary is dedicated to providing for the needs of our local community as well as national and international projects.
During the Covid-19 crisis, many residents had great difficulties. We made donations to the Essex Social Services Fund and Shoreline Soup Kitchen & Pantry to help with those in need of assistance and food.
We have also supported FISH, the Ivoryton Alliance and Essex Memorial Hall. Internationally, we have supported the Sister Cities Essex, Haiti installation of solar panels at the Deschapelles Community Library.
For more information, please open the “Our Club” tab.
Rotary Club of Essex provides support to our local community including providing scholarships for high school students who are residents of Essex.
We also support Rotary International projects worldwide. “Visit the Rotary International Site” to learn more about Rotary projects worldwide.