Manson Fire Dept. takes chili crown
More than 325 tasters cast votesBy JO VETTER, Messenger correspondent
Article Photos
MANSON - The Manson Fire Department hosed the competition and won the annual Manson Chili Cook Off handily.
In a contest that has been dominated by Manson State Bank four out of the past five years, voters gave the nod to the chili created by Manson Fire Chief Todd Partlow and his volunteers.
Twelve competing businesses and organizations lined Manson's Main Street contending for the championship chili in the Manson Chamber of Commerce's Chili Cook Off.
Chamber member Wendy Woolridge said that over 325 chili tasters paid a dollar for a cup and plastic spoon to sample as many different chilis as they wanted.
Voting was done by plastic spoon.
On a table in the middle of the street, participants located the plastic bucket with the name of their favorite chili maker. There they cast their vote by tossing their used, tasting spoons into the buckets.
Approaching the small crowd gathered at the voting table, Manson Chamber of Commerce President Josh Sturgis said, '' Do you think this is all fair and square?''
Eyeing the small number of spoons in his entry's bucket, Affiliated Foods chili chef Gordon Hans said, ''I'm gonna go buy a couple of packages of spoons.''
''They have to have the (chili) stains on them,'' chili taster Kirk Warnke said.
''Oh, we can take care of that,'' Hans said.
The good-natured voters laughed and watched as the count grew in what became a tight race between Manson State Bank and the Manson Fire Department.
Under the watchful eyes of several crowd members, Manson Chamber of Commerce member Bruce Collmann oversaw the counting of the spoons. He officially called the race: Manson Fire Department 52, Manson State Bank 43.
The traveling trophy, which is decorated with a pot of boiling chili on its base, will have a new home this year.
Manson Chamber of Commerce Member Dennis Besch said the Chamber hosted the chili cook off to introduce area residents to Manson and also ''to provide a social event for the people who live here.''
''There needs to be good spirit in a community,'' Sturgis said, ''we are truly neighbors.''
Looking out over the street full of people, Besch said, ''This is a very good crowd here.''
A short distance away at a table being manned by Heartland Bank Branch Manager Randy Besch, longtime Manson residents Harvey and Lucy Berner were trying to win a large pumpkin by guessing its weight. .
After trying to lift it, Lucy Berner said, ''Oh, it's about 95 pounds.''
Her husband guessed 43 pounds, and Randy Besch said, ''You're a lot closer than your wife.''
The Berners laughed and Harvey Berner said he was having fun.
''We get to see people we don't get to see very often,'' Berner said. ''So many of the college kids are home; it's nice to rub elbows with the people in our community.''
Younger children had something to do at the cook off as well. The grocery store had donated pumpkins for youngsters to decorate.
The children were able to enter their creations in three age categories to compete for prizes provided by the Chamber of Commerce.
Joyce Hammen, Manson Community Development director, was in charge of the contest.
''We've had over 30 entries,'' she said.
Winners in the pumpkin decorating contest included: Rylee Quade, first place, 3-5-year-olds; Cassie Darr, first place, 6-8-year-olds; and Becca Kruger, first place 9-10-year-olds.
Members of the Manson Lions Club were also on hand with samples of pies the organization is selling as a fundraiser.
Lions Club member Nancy Klaassen said the proceeds raised would help with the group's service projects such as Operation Christmas.
The day had started with another fundraiser.
In addition to the chili cook off, the Chamber of Commerce held an in-city poker run to benefit the Manson Public Library's ''Turn the Page'' project.
Manson Library Director Ann Schlapkohl said, ''Turn the Page is the library's renovation project to replace lighting, carpets and paint.''
She said, ''After 26 years, it's time to get us looking a little sharper again.''
However, this inaugural poker run had a couple of twists to it.
First of all, participants were required to drive either a golf cart or a lawn mower. Additionally, the riders picked their poker cards at Manson-area, home-based businesses.
Sturgis said that Manson has about 60 home-based businesses. ''They're not that visible, and this is a way to include them,'' he said.
Dennis Besch said, ''This is an opportunity to let people know where they're at and what they do.''
Manson Public Library Director Ann Schlapkohl was out in front of the library along with Sharon Johnson registering poker run participants.
A John Deere lawn mower pulled up as well as a number of golf carts.
Manson resident Steve Walsh said, ''What are the rules?''
''Well, you're not supposed to be mowing as you go along,'' Schapkohl said.
She also reminded the riders that it was not a race.
Gordon Hans made an impression when he arrived with his lawn mower. It was decorated with steer horns, a pinata and a flag. The sign on the back of his rig was promoting his chili for the cook off.
Hans may have had the fanciest lawn mower, but Dennis Sweet brought in the winning poker hand, a full house.
And that's what the town of Manson had, a houseful of company enjoying a beautiful day with neighbors.
Contact Jo Vetter at (515) 573-2141 or editor@messengernews.net
