LAKEHURST – The Super Bowl was this past Sunday but it was the bowls of chili and soup that mattered most during the annual Lakehurst Historical Society (LHS) Chili & Soup Cookoff Challenge, held recently.
The event drew a sizable crowd despite the snow and ice left over from recent winter storms. Spirits were high as guests supported the event which this year may well be the sole fundraiser for the organization as there are no current plans for the annual Car Show to take place on Independence Day.
For a $5 entry fee you could sample soups and chili from various borough organizations such as the police and fire departments and first aid squad, as well as Fleet Reserve Association #124, Arista Care Manchester, LHS itself and a new entry, Dimensional Designs Salon which has been operating in the community for many years.
Lakehurst Historical Society member/event coordinator Kathy Abrahamsen told The Manchester Times, “We were afraid the buildup of snow would keep people away. Every year it gets better and more people come. It’s the boots on the ground that make it work. We got a lot of support from our local businesses (for the gift drawings). We have a lot of nice items.”
Several nature photographs placed in frames by Borough photographer Denise Maynard graced the gift tables this year.
Abrahamsen was happy to see the addition of a new participant this year. “The staff at Dimensional Designs Salon they said we make chili at work we can do this and they have a fancy display (that featured a balloon archway) they are going to shame the rest of us.”
“We all got very excited about this,” Dimensional Designs Salon Manager Jennifer Prozzo said regarding the event. They served up a meat and vegetarian chili.
Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan who also serves as president of the LHS manned the dessert area with fellow members but also provided one of the organization’s offerings with her mushroom soup.
While Borough Police Lt. Ian James was absent this year, the department still picked up a trophy even without his prize-winning chili. Their offering this year was Country Chicken Vegetable Crème Soup made by the department’s Records Clerk Tammy Duffy.
Also missing this year was Lakehurst First Aid Squad Vice President Misty Sinkewitz although her popular #9 chili was very much present.
The event provided an opportunity for the borough’s fire department and first aid squad to meet the public and to remind residents that they were in desperate need for new members.
“We are doing even worse than them (Lakehurst Fire Company),” a triple life member of the Lakehurst First Aid Squad remarked. “Full life membership is 15 years. I joined in 1974.” He sat beside a new member who joined as her aunt is a member of the squad.
This year’s winners included:
First place chili winner: Lakehurst Fleet Reserve #124
Second place chili: Lakehurst 1st Aid Squad
People’s Choice Award: Country Chicken Vegetable Crème Soup served up by the Borough Police Department
First place soup: Lakehurst Fleet Reserve #124
Second place soup: Lakehurst Fleet reserve #124
“It is fun and when you sit there and watch people eating and enjoying themselves at this very small-town winter thing, it is great,” Abrahamsen said. Funds from the event are used to maintain the upkeep of the museum which is across the street from the Community Center on Center Street.
