Holy Spirit, Apopka, annual chili cookoff turns up the heat
Posted March 7th, 2010
The 8th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the Church of the Holy Spirit in Apopka filled their parish hall on January 16th. What a fun evening was had by the capacity crowd.
A successful night was in the making as a new record in funds was made. Loaves and Fishes is the recipient this year and $1,752.50 was collected in their behalf. The Chili Cook-offs have contributed around $13,000 to Camp Wingmann and Loaves and Fishes over the last eight years.
This year’s judges were a group (a gaggle, a herd, a swarm, a flock?) of Deacons. Deacon Happy Gafford (St. Michael’s), Deacon Mike Matheny (Cathedral Church of St. Luke), Holy Spirit’s own Deacon Jerry Steidl; and two ‘Holy Spirit grads’, Deacon Beth Bellner (Church of the Ascension) and Deacon Kristi Alday (Deacon at Large). They all did an outstanding job, with the winning margin at only 2 points! Chairman Glen Highfield said, “When I walked by Deacon Happy I heard, ‘Oh my gracious!’ and I think I saw tears. I hope the after burn was not too bad, Happy.”
The 2010 Chili Cook-off winners were 1st place, Mary Nell Fruit; 2nd place, Glen Highfield (wait a minute, isn’t he the chairman?); and 3rd place, Tom Friederichs.
The Chili Committee looked spiffy in their new chili cook-off pants and black ‘Eat More Chili” shirts. (Not in Committee picture: Victor Surlak, Bill Shannon and John Williams.)
One of the highlights of the evening was the conclusion of the Pie In The Face contest between the Choir and the Chili Committee. Susan Smith was a brave soldier and took it bravely for the Choir. The contest raised $310.29 for the event.
