SHOWING SUPPORT
Chili cook-off dishes out help for area veterans
At least 450 chili fans gathered Friday inside Texarkana College’s Truman Arnold Student Center to taste at least 15 different hot bean, meat and pork mixtures.
Many of these chili samplers spent two hours tasting assorted versions of this late-winter delight served up at 15 chili stands during the 20th annual Texarkana Area Veterans Council Chili Cook-Off fundraiser.
Similar to years past, the cookoff’s 15 cooks represented three different contestant categories: civic organizations, businesses and individuals. Chili preparation names like “Heroes’ Chili” and “State LionRed Chili” received visits from dozens of local and area chili enthusiasts.
Funds raised by the annual cook-off help the council replace medical transport vans, which are used to take local disabled military veterans to the Overton Brooks Veterans Administration Medical Center in Shreveport, La., 52 weeks a year. The replacement vans are needed because they have to make a 140-mile round trip to Shreveport, amounting to 420 miles a week total.
Friday’s fundraiser took in more than $1,000, which is consistent with the $1,100 recent annual cook-offs have taken on average.
Delta Morriss, registered nurse for the Texarkana Veterans Outpatient Clinic, said this is the third year the clinic has participated.
“We came back again this year because this is just another way we know that we can help give back something to the veterans,” she said.
Monica Beeman, marketer for Dierksen Hospice, said the hospice has participated in at least 10 years of the fundraiser’s 20-year history.
“Helping support the veterans council by helping them raise money is something we have loved participating in for all 10 years and we look forward to more years,” she said.
Following the event, customers got to cast their votes for Peoples’ Choice and Best Presentation chilis. The Wolf’s
Hole Hunters Club took home both awards, as it did last year and in several past years.
Other contestant results follow:
■ CIVIC
First Place: Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 278
Second Place: American Legion Post 25
Third Place: Texas A&M University’s Student Veterans Association
■ BUSINESS
First Place: ServPro-water cleanup and house fire restoration services
Second Place: Dierksen Hospice
Third Place: TH Ranch
■ INDIVIDUAL First Place: Wayne Braswell Second Place: Annette McRaven
Third Place: Jim McRaven