Winter Party 2009

The annual winter party — for the first time ever, a chili cookoff — was held Saturday, February 7, 2009, from 6 to 10 p.m. It hosted by Jody and Denise Hammond and the Prairie Riders at the Hammond residence.

The event, organized by Rachel Petrusky, was attended by 43 adult members and 11 children. The weather had been in the 50s during the day, so although members could not snowmobile to the event, it dropped to "winter party temperatures" of the 30s that evening. Families and friends warmed up in chairs by the fire, and the kids roasted hot dogs and s'mores. Most of all, everyone warmed up with lots of chili! The club members who decided to compete in the cookoff provided the main course, and the club provided all the fixins', cornbread, French bread, dessert, beer and soda.

Nine people brought big crock pots of chili to be eaten and judged. It was hard to choose the best as there were so many great varieties! Felicia Kuebker took first place and won the first ever Prairie Riders' Chili Cookoff award apron. All contestants were presented with commerative mugs, and all of the awards were made by fellow member Bill Luebbers.

On behalf of the Youth Club, Lauren Pietkiewicz ran a couple of raffles. With her hard work and Jody's donation, the new youth organization that she is leading is off to a great start.

A huge thank you goes out to Jody and Denise Hammond for opening their home to the Prairie Riders for our winter party!