If you drove by Reserve F (the big property on the right of the Boulevard in front of the April Sound Clubhouse), last Saturday, you maybe wondered what was going on when you saw the tents set up and the Boulevard lined with patriotic flags and decorations.
The Third Annual April Sound Chili Cook-Off, which had to be cancelled the Saturday before due to inclement weather, was the big event of the day. And this time, Mother Nature smiled on the Social Committee, and she brought the perfect temperature and lots of sunshine. Members of the Social Committee and other volunteers arrived at Reserve F around 7:30 a.m. to make sure all would be in place and ready for the 10 a.m. start of the Chili Cook-off. Jeff Taylor kicked off the event by singing “The Star-Spangled Banner”. Steve Barricklow served as DJ for the entire time and played appropriate music to accompany the chili tasting.
All veterans were granted free entrance to the event, and each was asked to place his ticket into the decorated box at the sign-in table to make each eligible for a special drawing. There was also a designated tent for the veterans and friends to gather. The crowd of tasters grew as the day progressed. The judges were busy tasting and recording their thoughts on each of the chilis, and probably had a real hard time selecting the winners because all were so good. As folks signed in upon arrival, they were given a vote for Fan Favorite and were asked to put their vote into another decorated box during the day. When the time came for Chili Cook-off Chairperson, Regina Symons, to announce all the winners and give out the prizes, everyone hurried to cast their final vote. Also just before Reg made the announcements, the Steve played a great rendition of “Proud to Be an American” which is her favorite patriotic song and everyone stopped to join in singing.
The Best Patriotic Tent was awarded to #10, Hilly Billy Chili who had flags from every branch of the U.S. Armed Services. Fan Favorite was announced as Team #9, Texas Girls on Fire! There was the drawing from the Veteran Box, and five lucky veterans were awarded patriotic coolers provided by Peggy Bishop of Bishop Bend Insurance. Four teams competed for Best Bean Chili. The runner-up team was #11, Chilin’ Chipotle, and the winners for Best Bean Chili was Team #12 Parrot Head Chili. Then, in the Best No-Bean Chili category, runner up was Team #9, Texas Girls on Fire. The Best No-Bean Chili team was Team #4 Smoke Wagon Cookers. The Chili Cook-off is sponsored by the Social Committee of the Country Club, which has been headed by Donna Kopecky for many years. Almost every person on the committee helped with the Cook-Off in some way. Reg also announced that $1000 was collected from attendees and donations and would be given to the Wounded Warriors Project. Congratulations to all who participated!
Ann Marie Ricci may be reached at jamricci@consolidated.net.
