Sunshine and memories abound at chili cookoff
BY PHIL HARTMAN
SVS REPORTER
phartman@svnmail.com
Memories were shared - but recipes weren't - Saturday in Polo, as the village's annual chili cookoff drew crowds and honored recently deceased community members.
Slow cookers and other methods of preparing secret recipes were on display as seven teams turned out to try for trophies and bragging rights. This year's cookoff was dedicated to Larry Lannen, a longtime cookoff participant who also played Santa Claus in Polo. Lannen died Aug. 8 from West Nile encephalitis.
Among the teams were "Larry's Legacy," featuring chili prepared by relatives of Lannen.
"I keep feeling him around, that's for sure. I do use beef and pork, and my main heat is Mexican green chili," said Pat Lannen, Larry's son from Hoffman Estates.
To honor Lannen, a longtime blood donor who donated 10 gallons over the years, the Rock River Valley Blood Center from Rockford conducted a blood drive.
"We've had about 15 people already, in the first 15 minutes," said Jackie Kepka, a donor recruiter with the blood center.
The number of teams was down from 2006, said Lori Galor, a member of the Polo Chamber of Commerce.
"We're expecting big crowds," Galor said.
Themes were popular with the participants. The First State Bank of Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll had an "All Bucks Stop Here" hunting theme, with the team members dressed in camouflage and an archery target with arrows embedded in it.
"I know there's a couple good ones around," team member Dave Galor said of the competition.
Some were out for the title of hottest chili. Barb Miller and her son Luke, 15, of Polo were creating "Luke's Liquid Lava," and competing for the second year in a row.
"He won hottest last year," Barb Miller said.
Taste-testing didn't start until noon. Crowds approached the cooking site on Division Avenue, directly across from the First State Bank Shannon-Polo, in anticipation of the chili.
Among the attendees were Henry and Marjorie Planthaber of Rock Falls, who came up for the tasting.
"I've had three of them. They're all good," Henry Planthaber said.
The results of the cookoff were announced Saturday afternoon. The Judge's Choice and People's Choice awards went to "Jeff's Refs," sponsoring the Railside Inn. The Showmanship award was presented to the First State Bank of Shannon-Polo-Lake Carroll "All Bucks Stop Here" team, and the Millers once again won Hottest Chili.
Reach Phil Hartman at (815) 625-3600, (815) 284-2222 or (800) 798-4085, ext. 524.
