WILLIAMSBURG — Nine organizations squared off in a chili cook-off for charity in Williamsburg last Saturday, bringing in over $700 for “Donate Life,” a nonprofit organization whose mission is to increase the number of donated organs, eyes, and tissue available for transplantation.
Sponsored by the Haydenville Masonic Lodge, the event was the first of its kind to be held by the organization.
“This is a new effort for our lodge to work with this organization,” lodge member Kevin Cooper said, noting that several Masonic Lodge members in the Massachusetts district are donors and one, Scott Meyer of the Mt. Tom Masonic Lodge, is the recipient of a donated kidney.
“The event was fantastic,” Cooper said. “We didn’t keep an official count but based on what we brought in, I would say we had between 200 and 300 people there.”
The cook-off took place outside on the grounds of the Helen E. James School.
“It was a beautiful day!” Cooper said. “We also served hot and cold cider, cider beignets, and bread that was donated from Bread Euphoria.”
As people tasted their way through the various chili recipes, live music was provided by Amherst jazz band “The Other Cats Pajamas” and Northampton jam band “Radiolaria.”
“We had very good entries with some great traditional chili recipes,” Cooper said. “Some had beef, some had Italian sausage and some even had game.”
Participating organizations included the Lions Club in Williamsburg, the American Legion in Haydenville, and the Masonic Lodges from the 27th Massachusetts District, including Haydenville, Chicopee, Amherst, Hatfield and South Hadley.
The contest was judged by state Rep. Stephen Kulik, Chef Andre Fuehr of UNOS Pizzeria Corporation in Dedham, Jennifer Cray of Donate Life’s New England Donor Services, local butcher Richard Pytco and Tyler Seavey, district deputy of Freemasons Massachusetts District 27.
The Lions Club walked away with first place and $50 for their chili recipe, while second place went to the American Legion in Haydenville, and third place to the Jerusalem Lodge in Hatfield. Crowd favorite went to the American Legion in Haydenville.
Cooper said that the event was also designed to raise awareness about the contributions of organizations like the American Legion, the Masons and the Lions.
“I am very proud of my organization,” Cooper said. “We do a meal for the cot shelter once a month and this week we are going to the Holyoke soldiers home to feed the veterans and their families.”
Cooper said that the event was a success due to the collaboration of the participating organizations and help from the Williamsburg Select Board.
The Hilltown Artisans Guild will host its annual holiday show and sale at the Worthington Town Hall on Nov. 11-12.
The show will feature work of artists and craftspeople from throughout western Massachusetts.
Visitors to the event will find a variety of handcrafted goods including pottery, watercolor, oil and acrylic paintings, photography, cards, mixed media, collage, functional art, jewelry, fiber arts, handmade soaps, wood-turned art, wood carvings and more. All items at the show will be available for purchase.
Open hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, visit the Hilltown Artisans Guild website at: www.hilltownartisansguild.org.
The Williamsburg Rod and Gun Club is holding its annual Turkey Shoot every Sunday until Nov. 19.
The event is open to the public and shotguns are made available to adults who do not have their own gun. Each round is $2.50 a shot.
The winners can choose from prizes of a frozen turkey, roast of beef, or a ham.
The competition begins at noon and is located at the Rod and Gun Club shooting range on Petticoat Hill Road.
Hamburgers and hot dogs are available for purchase during the event.
For more information, call 268-3165.
Ideas for this column on life in the Hilltowns can be sent to Fran Ryan at Fryan.gazette@gmail.com.