Students From Around The World Head To Lobster College

BOOTHBAY (NEWS CENTER) -- Some eager students from around the country are in Boothbay this weekend, attending Lobster College. 19 people have signed up for the crustacean college.

It started with Diane Ward at the Kenniston Hill Inn. She was talking with the University of Maine's Lobster Institute, and they asked her to host the college. The idea took off, and people signed up.

Diane said, "?and how far away they came from. From Australia, Chicago, Florida, Massachusetts. I have one couple from Cape Elizabeth, Maine.

Carolyn Smith and her husband Gordon are the lone Mainers in the class. It's a 25th anniversary present.

Carolyn remarked, "And as a native mainer, people are always asking me about lobster, as if i'm an authority, which i'm not."

In the morning they learned lobster biology, and later they learned to make it taste good.

Greg Mclardie is the guy from Australia. He's in the lobster industry down under, so this is a working vacation. Same for two people from big restaurant chains and Boston lobster dealer Mike Tourkistas.

Mike said, "You would think that after 27 years in the lobster industry you know everything, but you can never make that assumption."

These students are going to go to a wharf and learn how lobsters are landed. Then they will go out on a boat and haul some traps.

For the lobster institute -- which does research and education -- it's working well.

Lobster College costs $575, plus room and board at the Inn. The lobster meals are free.