On Friday, March 28, Boothbay Craft Brewery and the Watershed Tavern hosted a fundraiser for the Lions Club building fund. The building fund has a goal of $25,000, the amount needed to properly repair the Lions’ clubhouse on Lakeview Road in Boothbay Harbor.

While the final amount raised won't be released until the April 9 Lions Club meeting, owner Lori Mitchell called the event “a great success.”

“We had food, fun and games, and it wouldn't have been possible without the generous donations from the community and beyond,” Mitchell said.

Along with other contributions, silent auction items like gift certificates to local restaurants, Sea Dogs tickets, home heating oil, silver jewelry, and a dog leash holder were donated to raise money. There were 29 items auctioned off, and six items raffled off.

Some of the events included “Tavern Trivia” all about the Lions Club, hosted by the only remaining active charter member, Harry Pinkham. Also a “Lions and Lighthouses” scavenger hunt, and a brewery tour hosted by Brittin Irwin, who works at the brewery as a brewer’s assistant.

“All of the employees and people working that night donated their time,” Mitchell said. “Debbie Todte, Jason Chamness, Frank Fassett. And Cameron Mitchell (no relation) was working the bar single-handedly when we usually have two people there. Also Jonne Trees and Cody Mitchell rigged up the sound system for the night, and did the filming for Channel 7.”

The event featured the “Lions Tale” beer, with all proceeds from the sale of that beer going toward the building fund (and $1 from every other drink).

According to owner Win Mitchell, his wife Lori came up with the idea for the ale at a Lions Club meeting.

“There we were, water dripping down from the roof, talking abut ideas for saving the clubhouse,” Win Mitchell said. “Lori came up with the idea of a beer that more people would like, and calling it ‘Lions Tale’ as in ‘telling the tale of the Lions.’

“We wanted it to appeal to more people,” Win Mitchell said. “A lot of our beers are strong, with lots of malt and hops. Lions Tale is a lighter, crisp ale with a few malt additions to give it some complexity. It's a little under 5 percent alcohol by volume, and is fairly straightforward.”

Current president of the Lions Club, Mike Giles, was at the event and was pleased with the number of people who came out to support the club.

“We're trying to save our clubhouse, so we can continue to serve this community,” Giles said. “We will help anyone that needs it.”