Carrie Bishop Healy Gets Behind Guilford Rotary LobsterFest
When you’re a member of Guilford’s Bishop family, getting involved with your community comes with the territory. Carrie Bishop Healy is following in the family’s footsteps as a member of Guilford Rotary. She’s serving her second year as chair of LobsterFest, coming to the Guilford Fairgrounds Saturday, June 24, at 4 p.m.
This marks the 27th year for LobsterFest. The event was founded and fostered by Bishop family member Gene Bishop, who remains an iconic part of this signature community gathering. It’s also Guilford Rotary’s single largest annual fundraising event. Proceeds provide support to local nonprofits and neighbors in need on the Connecticut shoreline.
Tickets are available now at guilfordrotaryclubct.com for families and individuals who want to share in a fun-filled afternoon that’s being billed as “bigger and better than ever,” says Carrie.
New this year, the day kicks off with the Shoreline Lobster Run, an official 5K that takes off at 10 a.m. Online race registrants also have the option to purchase discounted LobsterFest tickets.
“We’ve had the Frosty 5K on January 1st for many years as Rotary, and we’ve seen the benefit in the money that it can raise to help causes in the community that we give to. So we thought it was a nice addition to start the day off with the 5K run, and later in the day, have the big outing for LobsterFest,” she says.
In addition to Rotary members serving up a choice of fresh Maine lobster or deliciously grilled steak (as well as offering pizza for kids), dinner tickets also include sides, desserts, wine, and an assortment of beer from Thimble Island, Stony Creek, Two Roads, and Athletic breweries. With two live bands, Jam Chowder and Tuxedo Junction, a silent auction, lawn games, and a kids’ Bounce House, there’s entertainment for everyone, says Carrie.
Based on last year’s great turnout, the community missed LobsterFest during its pandemic pause. Carrie’s hoping to see another good crowd filling the fairgrounds this year.
“We didn’t have an event in 2020 because of the pandemic, and in 2021, we ended up having up the ‘drive-through’ LobsterFest. So 2022 was the first year we were really back as an event,” says Carrie.
Giving Back to Community
On the Bishop family tree, Carrie’s grandfather, Albert Bishop, and his cousin, Gene, were fourth-generation members of Bishop’s Orchards. As second cousins, Carrie’s dad, Keith Bishop, and Gene’s son, Jonathan, became fifth generation family business members. Now, Carrie, her sister Sarah Dellaventura, and her brother Ryan are the sixth generation involved. After college and gaining seven years of experience working in the Boston area, Carrie officially joined the family business in 2014. She serves as chief financial officer of Bishops Orchards Farm Market & Winery.
Carrie says she joined Guilford Rotary thanks to Gene’s encouragement.
“Gene has been involved in Rotary for a very long time, so when I came back in the business, Gene was the one that invited me to come along to a Rotary meeting and see what the group was,” says Carrie.
“It’s a great organization both with local community ties and its bigger mission of giving back to others all around the world,” she continues. “It’s all about the members wanting to be involved in the community and doing things for the greater good. The object of Rotary is service and high ethical standards for businesses and professionals, and to be able to demonstrate that in our community.”
New members are always welcome, she adds.
“We are always actively seeking new members, and for newer members of the community or people starting out in their business, it’s a good networking opportunity.”
Carrie thanks the members of Guilford Rotary for all of the time and effort they contribute to help make LobsterFest a success.
“This is our big fundraising event for the year, so it’s all hands on deck for all the members. There’s lots of prep work during the week leading up to it. We don’t use a caterer —Rotary members are the ones cooking the lobsters and cooking the steaks,” she says.
Additionally, volunteers from some of the local organizations supported by Guilford Rotary lend a hand.
“Guilford Interfaith Volunteers from Meals on Wheels help for the day; we have volunteers from Women and Family Life Center, and we also get help from Guilford High School Interact Club members because Interact is a Rotary organization,” she says.
Many Rotary members also have family helping out, Carrie’s included.
“I wouldn’t be able to do a lot of what I do without the support of my family. My husband, Matt, is always supporting me in everything that I’m doing; and we have three young kids that we’re raising in Guilford,” she says of Addison, 9; Nora, 6; and Teagan, 4.
“We are trying to show them what it means to be a part of the community and giving back,” says Carrie. “They are a big reason of why I do what I do, and that was modeled to me by my dad and my mom and what they did in the community, as well.”
Carrie also notes that, as with all efforts undertaken by Guilford Rotary, putting on LobsterFest meets Rotary’s “four-way test” of guiding principles, “...is it the truth, is it fair to all concerned, will it build goodwill and better friendships, and will it be beneficial to all concerned.”
“We’re always trying to see the benefit in how we can help others,” she says.