Letter to the Editor

Chili Cook-off was most successful ever

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

The Mason Dixon Chili Society and the United Gospel Rescue Mission would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone involved in the annual Chili Cook-off. This year was the most successful year so far, with over $14,000 collected, thanks to the generous contributions of time and money. All proceeds from the event will be donated to the United Gospel Rescue Mission.

We would like to thank our Corporate Sponsors, 573 Skin Care/Dermatology Office, P.C., Luecke Distributing/Budweiser, Smith & Company, The Scott Law Group, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Southern Bank, First Community Insurance Group, First Midwest Bank, Dan's Trophies, Buffalo Wild Wings, Ben Adkins, and AFLAC.

In addition, we would like to thank the 29 teams who competed for the Judges Choice, Peoples Choice, Fundraising efforts, and Best Decorated Booths. Our teams this year were Mid Continent Nail, Ryan's, Air Solutions, Nordyne, Doug Libla, Coldwell Banker Ruth Holloway Realty, First Community Insurance Group, Poplar Bluff Realty, Water Works Car Wash, First Midwest Bank, Poplar Bluff Fire Department #1, Smith & Company, Missouri Natural Gas, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, Butch Anderson, Ricks Flooring, Wolf Wyatt, Poplar Bluff Fire Department #2, Kiwanis, Three Rivers Shrine Club, Poplar Bluff Rotary Club, Southern Bank, Student Veterans Association, Luecke Distributing/Budweiser, Ed Strenfel, Croy's Perfect Press, United Methodist Church - Faith Builders, Mark Dobbs, and Re/Max. Entertainment was donated by Semo DJ Service, The Millstones, Rock Inc., Crazy Smoke, and the excellent Karaoke singers in our first karaoke contest, A special thanks goes to our judges, who had the difficult job of sampling 29 different chili recipes to determine the winners. Finally, we would like to give a big thank you to the staff of the Black River Coliseum for all of their support during the event.

The winners of the Chili Cook-off donated their winnings back to the mission. They included Judges Choice - 1st Place, Mid Continent Nail, $200, 2nd Place, Ryan's, $100, 3rd Place, Air Solutions, $50. Peoples Choice - 1st Place, Wolf Wyatt, $200, 2nd Place, Air Solutions, $100, 3rd Place, Southern Bank, $50. Fundraising - 1st Place, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, $200, 2nd Place, Mid Continent Nail, $100, 3rd Place, Air Solutions, $50. Best Decorated Booth - 1st Place, Re/Max, $200, 2nd Place, Three Rivers Shrine Club, $100, 3rd Place, Fire Department #1, $50. Thank you to those teams!

Last but not least, we would like to extend a very special thank you to the Daily American Republic, River Radio, and Fox Radio Network for their excellent coverage of the event.

The United Gospel Rescue Mission provides meals to the needy every day of the year. In addition, the mission has provided meals to those displaced during the recent ice storms and floods. The United Gospel Rescue Mission is a vital part of our community. These very generous contributions of time and money will help continue the much needed mission of feeding the hungry.

Mason Dixon Chili Society board members

Sandy Wood

Chris Shrum

John Scott

Joe Leahy