And the Best Chili Goes to….

Saturday, October 11, was full of fun activities to start off the fall season. The fifth annual Chili Cookoff was held in the morning at McLeod Park with kids playing on the swings, shooting basketballs, and splashing in the blow-up waterslide. There were nine locals who participated in cooking their favorite recipes: Casey Whiles, CJ Marchese, Wesley Mitchell, Dr. Cherie Allison, Diana Valdes, Helen Brown, HavAnnA Café, Alex Thompson, and Jessica Oliver. It was a hard decision for judges Wes Narin, Logan Wagner, and Shaina Zatz who announced HavAnnA Café (for the second time) as the first place winner, Dr. Cherie Allison took second place, and Diana Valdes third place. In addition to enjoying delicious chili and desserts, the Women’s Ministries hosted a raffle with generous donations from the following: Island Café, Win-Car General Store, Glades Haven, Everglades City Airboat Tours, Everglades Fishing Company, Outdoor Resort Marina, City Seafood, Parkway Motel, HavAnnA Café, Diane and Mike Merritt, Shannon Mitchell, C J Marchese, Terri Lewis, Angela Nicholson, Right Choice Supermarket, Betty Brown, Wildman’s Pizza, Captain Craig’s Adventures, Mike Reark, Rodney Raffield, Jessica Anshow of Island Girl Tours, Beth Whigham, Chokoloskee Island Resort, Captain Jerry Hooks, Jodi Brown, Karen Kramser, Kelly Borza, Brock & Maureen Wagner, John & Georgia Ehrlund, Robbie Richter, Ward Michaels, Hi Love, Skunk Ape Headquarters, C1Catch1Python Hunting Trip, FLSCA, Grimms Stone Crabs, and Ernest Hamilton’s Fish House. THANK YOU all!