Rotary Club of Forest Hills hosting 15th annual chili cook-off
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The Rotary Club of Forest Hills will hold its 15th annual Chili Cook-off on April 14.
“This is our big community event. It is a major fundraiser in which we can give back to the community with an event designed to bring the community together,” said club treasurer Gail Evans-Potter, who spearheads the cook-off.
The Rotary clubs, nationally and internationally, have programs that provide clean water, fight disease, help save mothers and children, support education and protect the environment. With 1.4 million members known as Rotarians across 46,000 clubs worldwide, Rotary International welcomes participation from all.
“The Rotary of Forest Hills began in 1947 and currently has 27 members. We’ve been around a long time,” said Evans-Potter. “Initially, Rotary was all men; women weren’t allowed. Now the club has mostly men, but we have a nice show of women who have joined. The club has mostly business people finding a way to give back, retirees who have retired from their working life and nice, younger, working people.”
Rotaries are especially prevalent in smaller communities like Forest Hills.
“We are currently working towards doing bigger projects that we can do together to increase the power of our clubs individually. The Forest Hills Club does many things, including sponsoring a flag raising on Memorial Day, giving vets lunches, giving holiday parties for seniors at care centers, and giving out books to kids on community day events,” said Evans-Potter.
This year the Rotary Club of Forest Hills hopes to raise $5,000 or more through the Chili Cook-off. Funds raised will support Woodland Hills School District’s $1,000 service scholarship for a graduating senior, as well as the Woodland Hills Foundation Backpacks of Hope project, which provides kids with a backpack and a meal over a long weekend.
Funds are also being raised for the Forest Hill Volunteer Fire Department and the Police Department.
Some people bring a new chili recipe every year.
“This year 15 contestants will make the chili, serve and hype the chili — and hope they win,” said Evans-Potter.
There will be several chili recipes: chicken with bacon, white bean bacon, pork, steak, vegan, bacon, soy, all veggies and anything you never thought could be chili, Evans-Potter said.
Celebrity guest judges are WQED-TV’s Chris Fennimore and Rick Sebak. The first-place prize for the best meat chili and best overall chili is $300. The last category, for the best-decorated booth, will receive a trophy. There is also a People’s Choice Award — each ticket holder has one vote.
Forest Hills businesses are asked to donate products and services to help make the cook-off a success. There will be gift baskets, a raffle and a 50/50 drawing. The most popular raffle every year is a Barrel of Cheers, which features wine and other alcoholic beverages.
The Police Department will sell beverages to help raise money. The Late Bloomers Garden Club will decorate the Ardmore Boulevard median strip and have a bake sale to help fund their organization. Music will be provided by DJ Jared Evans and Radical Trivia.
The Chili Cook-off is Sunday, April 14 from noon to 3 p.m. at Keane Hall at St. Maurice Church, 2001 Ardmore Blvd. in Forest Hills. Tickets can be purchased at the door and are $10 for adults and free for children under 10 years old. For more information, contact Linda Harbeson at 661-435-1780 or fhillsrotary@gmail.com.