VFW members are cooking up their best creations to enter in the cook-off just in time for Old Man Winter’s arrival.
By KRYSTAL NURSE
The Sun
Members of Mantua VFW Post 7679 will be perfecting their pot of chili to be judged at the post’s annual chili cook-off on Dec. 2. The friendly competition is free and open for all members to join.
“They bring it in one day and a group of testers pick out their favorites, and it’s been a thing for a long time, at least 12 years,” said Mike Campanell, commander of the post.
Campanell added members enter with their Crock-Pots of chili in temperatures ranging from mild to hot so the contestants aren’t entering a mild meal against one that is extremely spicy.
“You get some pretty funny faces in the hot, hot stuff,” he added.
Names aren’t attached to any of the pots to allow for a truly blind taste test, but some have been able to claim victory multiple times in previous years.
“In the last five years, cause they bring them in with no names for a blind taste, the same person won three out of the five years,” said Campanell. “Now, everybody’s trying to outdo that person.”
He went on to add somebody once picked up a portion from a nearby restaurant, placed it in a Crock-Pot and it went on to win second place.
Following the competition, members are asked to stay for a beer and eat the contestants’ chili.
The friendly competition begins at 1 p.m. and ends around 5 p.m. Contestants’ chili must be present by noon, in a Crock-Pot with a serving spoon.
Other holiday events are occurring around Mantua Township:
Over in Mullica Hill is the town’s seasonal light show and festival Lights On Main on Nov. 24 starting at 5 p.m. Main Street will be closed from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. from Woodland Avenue to Folwell Lane. Admission is free and shuttles will be departing on both ends in a rotation to transport those to and from several parking lots. The town’s tree will officially light up at 7:15 p.m. Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be around for photo ops throughout the evening.
On Dec. 1, the township is lighting its Christmas tree complete with a winter festival from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chestnut Branch Park. Food trucks, rides, music and fireworks will be included in the event. Stick around as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus will be making an appearance for all of the good little boys and girls. A rain (or snow) date is set for Dec. 2, same time.
On Dec. 1 and 8 in Pitman, the uptown will be transformed into a Victorian Holiday as the old Pitman houses will be filled with a variety of holiday decorations. In addition, several shops on Broadway will be open to allow for people to continue their Christmas shopping. Stop to see Santa at the rain-or-shine event!
Also in Pitman, the Church of the Good Shepherd Episcopal Church of Pitman will hold its annual “Holly Fair” on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. featuring 25 area crafters, homemade food and ongoing performances by the church’s choir. For more information, visit www.GoodShepherdPitman.org.
Also on Dec. 1, Clearview Regional Middle School’s band is hosting a holiday craft show complete with vendors and crafters from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. In the event of a snow storm, the craft show will be moved to Dec. 2. Visit www.ViewBand.org/Craft-Show for more information.
Also in Mullica Hill, the Mullica Hill Business Association is hosting its 45th annual Christmas House Lights Tour on Dec. 8 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for people to gaze at the displays inside of historic homes on Main Street. Admission is $10 on www.MullicaHill.com, or $12 day of.
Over in Wenonah, cross items off your Christmas shopping list on Dec. 8 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Memorial Presbyterian Church of Wenonah’s annual Cookie Sale and Holiday Shopping event. Homemade delights will be sold by the pound and several vendors will be present selling unique gifts. Visit www.WenonahPC.org for more information.
On Dec. 15, Total Turf Experience in Pitman is hosting a Winter Disney Day fair, free for all to attend, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local vendors will be selling an array of Disney-related items to stuff Christmas stockings, face paintings and more. For more information, visit www.TotalTurf.net.
Editor’s note: If you have a holiday event you’d like to see included in The Mantua Sun, send an email to [email protected] at least two weeks in advance with the details including location, time, cost and age limit (if necessary).
