Rick Patrick
rick@greenepublishing.com
It was a cold, wet and blustery day on Saturday, Feb. 6, but many agreed it was perfect "chili weather" when Madison RV and Golf Resort held their First Annual Chili Cook-off. Chili cooks, connoisseurs and aficionados from all over gathered together to enjoy visiting with new and old friends and some really good chili, all for a very good cause.
All together, there were 13 entries from among guests of the RV park and members of the community. Those who were there to enjoy the various entries voted on their favorites. Then a panel of judges had the enviable task of choosing the top three from among the top six vote receivers. It was a tough decision, but the judges chose Dan Cudmore, from Harrisburg, S.D., for his "chocolate chili" in third place. Second place went to Cane Schwab, from High Springs, Fla., for his Italian sausage chili. First place honors went to Steve Califf, from Valdosta, Ga., for his unique venison sweet chili. For his first-place finish, Califf won a chartered, half-day fishing trip; valued at over $400. Second and third place finishers won trophies and valuable gift cards and rounds of golf.
The real winner was the family of Ashley Jackson-Rutherford. Ashley's husband, Luke, is the son of Gene and Teresa Rutherford, of Madison. Ashley is battling stage three breast cancer. Proceeds from the chili cook-off went to the Rutherford family to help defray medical expenses related to Ashley's treatment, surgeries, etc. According to Brian Faircloth, from Madison RV and Gold Resort, over $3,000 was raised for the Rutherford family.
Special thanks goes to Don Tate for his assistance in coordinating the chili cook-off.