I could hear the ragtime rhythms mixed with classical notes from a piano inside the Renaissance architecture as I approached the building with a small crowd gathering outside.

As her guest and my mentor, Times-Journal emeritus reporter Jean Martin guided me to the front of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church where I saw people — equipped with their food handling gloves and aprons, wrapping up lobsters and greeting visitors with their manmade lobster hats. This was the night — my first night, of the annual church sponsored “Lobsterfest.” My mouth watering, I was ready to salivate the delectable shellfish that was fresh out of the Atlantic Ocean.

“Mrs. Jean” and I arrived at the St. Paul’s parrish around 6:30 p.m. As she introduced me to everyone she knew around town, I felt like Jean’s groupie, as she was Selma’s own celebrity.

As we effortlessly worked the room and greeted each face with a friendly hug or kiss, the pianist’s notes weaved through the thick atmosphere of jumbled conversations. We made our way to the beverage table waiting for the church officials to call us for our table.

As the line made its way upstairs, hundreds of people already filled the round tables adorned with plastic table cloths and manned by young and seasoned servers dressed in white cotton shirts, bow ties, black slacks and skirts. It was a five-star affair, as church members made you feel like royalty as they put on your “lobster bib,” presented you with your platter and dessert and cleaned up your mess!

Sitting next to Mrs. Jean, an archeologist, a computer engineer and tourism director, all professionalism went out the window as everyone dug in to the main course. Sounds of cracking and slurping were heard around the room and butter and meat flew. A feast indeed!

Friendly conversation and good eating is what I liked most about my first Lobsterfest Thursday. Meeting people from all walks of life — black and white, retired and employed teachers, city officials and doctors, is what these events are made of. I’m looking forward to next year.