Even though the annual,  popular October Chili Cook-off was hosted by  Fiorenza’s Food For Friends (4F) instead of our Rotary  Club, and the footprint for the event was smaller than in the previous 21 years, an estimated 11,000 chili lovers managed to spend a beautiful fall afternoon eating chili in the Borough of West Chester. A dedicated  group of Rotarians even managed to prepare a huge pot of healthy, hearty, one-pot Quick Turkey Chili, named 4-Way Hi-Test Chili  for which the chili loving crowd awarded it second place in the non-profit organization division for the People’s Choice Award contest. Thanks to our cooks, Diana Liberi, Rich Murray, Jeff Cantwell, Charles Streitwieser, and newer member Connell O’Brien, who stirred up the tasty fare. Rich’s wife, Katie and their son brought the makings to the Providence Church, which gave generous use of their commercial kitchen for our chili preparation.

 

 

Jeff Cantwell managed our chili booth, and among those distributing the little cups of succulent chili were Sue and Bob Rogers, Rita Brauwer-Ancher, Anne Driscoll, Glen Sweet, and Amna Salahuddin, one of our newer members. John Schwab managed the information booth, which was right next to the chili booth, making it convenient as Rotarians moved from one booth to the other as needed. Among those helping at that booth were Bob Rogers. Joe Driscoll, Randy Lindel, Sue Casso- Rogers, and Charles Streitwieser.  The colorful booths were decorated with the gay banners gathered when members travel to Rotary Clubs worldwide, and sewn together by Glenda Brion.  Phil McFadden, his friend Stephanie Cannon and his two children, Chase and Emma McFadden decorated the booths. It’s never too late to get friends and family, and possible future Rotarians (?), involved in Rotary activities!