Chilifest draws a crowd

Over 100 people celebrated the Rappahannock Lions’ Club annual Chilifest. Patrons listened to the Smoked Trout Band and sampled 14 delicious and unique chilis. In its 9th year, the Chilifest is the Lions’ big annual fundraiser. I am pleased to say we met our fundraising goal. All proceeds will go directly back into a variety of Rappahannock community organizations, including Band Boosters, Fire and Rescue companies, Camp Fantastic, Boy and Girl Scouts, and college scholarships.

Bill Pragluski’s chili “BP High Octane” won first place in the amateur category, and Tula’s “Choctaw Mountain” scored first for restaurants. A dinner for two at the Inn at Little Washington, and a beautiful watercolor by Dennis King were raffled off. In the big drawdown contest four winners — Amo Merritt, Karen Bear, Beth Gyorgy and Joel Dacewitz — decided to split the $5,000 pot.

I would like to sincerely thank all our sponsors: Greve Foundation, Real Estate III, B&B Signal, Rappahannock News, The Inn at Little Washington, Atlantic Union Bank, Rappahannock Hunt, Thornton Hill Hounds, Meadow Green Farm, Critical Strategies, CFC Farm & Home Center, Cheri Woodard Realty, Harris Hollow Foods, Racer Construction, Mountainside Therapy, Pen Druid Brewing, Riverside Auto Service, Shaws Services, Williams Farm; the Lions volunteers who made this event possible, and especially Sandy Antony, DeEtte Axelson, Merle Dacewitz, Pat Dorsey, Kathy Grove Carolyn Manwaring and Ann-Marie Stacey who brought flowers and decorations that transformed the Sperryville Fire Hall into an autumn wonderland.

We look forward to seeing everyone again at next year’s Chilifest!

Jim Manwaring Rappahannock Lions Club