Mechanic sweeps Elks third annual chili contest
Nobody knows what Sam Morrison puts in his Chili recipe but his entry was tasty enough to win both the People’s Choice and Judge’s Choice at the third annual Elk’s LodgeChili Contest at the Legion. Morrison didn’t offer to share his recipe for the bean and hamburger- based food. His entry won out of eight submitted to the contest this year.
The contest is a fun event and fundraiser for the Elks Lodge No. 7 with a silent auction, door prizes and, of course, sampling the chili entries for $10. Judges, Coun. Scott McMann, Provincial Elks President Kalvin Nankivell of Kisbey and Ron Walter of the Moose Jaw Express, rated each entry based on colour, aroma, texture, flavour, heat and taste of the numbered cups of chili on their plates. Organizer Jeff Schnieder told judges they didn’t have to eat all the chili in each of eight cups, just taste them and rate them for the contest.
Most of the cups were empty when the judging was complete.
“That heat on that Number Five sure sneaks up on you,” commented Nankivell. Another judge noted Number Seven was pretty hot.
This was an official visit by Nankivell to the Moose Jaw Elks Lodge. He visits 23 of the 69 lodges in Saskatchewan during his one-year term. All lodges get a presidential visit once every three years. Nankivell says the Elks remain strong in many Saskatchewan communities. A new lodge is being formed in Warman. He said the new lodge is younger members, a departure from existing lodges, whose members are mostly older.
The local Elks raised more than $22,000 last year for various charities for things as varied as soccer balls, health care, youth scholarships, to a motorcycle ride and a popcorn machine for the Legion.
One of the biggest fundraisers is operating a burger concession at public and private events.