Member Log InIT'S A WRAP! GREAT AMERICAN CHILI COOK-OFF/TRIVIA NIGHT AN ALL-AROUND SUCCESS!
The annual Great American Chili Cook-off was once again a success! About 40 Serrans and guests attended the January General Membership meeting on Thursday, January 2, 2025, to welcome the New Year and celebrate with . . . chili! And did we have chili! Eight (8) chili chefs brought their creations and, with fixings and drinks provided by Glenn and Sue Shain, and desserts brought by fellow Serrans, the evening began with prayer and the chili feast commenced.
Once all the tasting was done and the votes cast, our 2025 Chili Cook-Off Champion is Connie Euston (left in the photo). Our runner-up is Joane Wilkerson (right in the photo). Congratulations to these two for their chili prowess, one of many talents with which these two individuals are gifted.
Connie sends along her winning recipe, as it was requested by several in attendance at the meeting. Here it is:
- 2 lbs ground beef and 3/4 lb ground pork (drain meat)
- 1 package Williams Regular Chili seasoning
- 1 clove garlic
- 1/2 white onion
- 1/2 yellow onion
- Salt to taste
- *secret ingredient: sugar, to taste
- 1 Can of Chili-ready diced tomatoes
- The chef also notes, "I use some tomato juice also or another can of diced or whole tomatoes."
As the chili tasting concluded, Club President, Dale Romme, addressed
Serrans with calendar updates and key information relative to Serra, particularly the 2025 Serra International Convention being held right here in Kansas City. Dale thanked all Serrans who made possible the 2025 version of "The World's Greatest Snack Table," for the Quo Vadis retreat. He also thanked those who participated in continuous adoration during the Quo Vadis weekend. Dale also reported the total "vote" tally in the chili cook-off resulted in over $600 being raised for the support of vocations! Many thanks to all who "voted" so generously!
Member, Tonya Anjard, related her adoration experience during the Quo Vadis weekend, wherein Pope Francis' message for the 2024 World Day of Prayer for Vocations popped up on her phone. She spoke about the moving experience of reading the Holy Father's message during her time in adoration (see link below.)
Adding new fun to our January event this year, Jerry and Teri Wonderlich engaged the group in a first-ever JOCO Serra Club Trivia Night. The crowd divided into teams of 6 - 8 players (mostly derived from chili-tasting table partners!) and identified their team names. Creativity abounded here as the team competitiveness was evident from the first question.
Team names included, Team TriviAnney, Fr. Scott's Team (photo above
left), Holy Rollers, Wildcats, Young Dawgs, and Members Team (photo right).
Developed around a central theme of "Our response to the Vocational Call to Holiness," trivia questions and topics included, among others, "Fatherhood and Vocations," "Saints," and "Angels." As the evening wound to conclusion, competitors were heard clamoring for "one more round" of trivia questions. It seems we have a new staple of Serra life: Trivia Night (after chili-tasting!) Thanks, Jerry and Teri, for sharing your talent with the group!
