Sunday, October 27, 2013

Pickleball Halloween Round Robin and Chili Cook-Off on Saturday, October 26th

Submitted by Ann Earley, Ambassador, North Georgia


What perfect weather on Saturday afternoon for about 30 Pickleball players! It was great to have Stephanie Lane, Joe Gilmore, Maggie Corbin, and Ke Kai Ruckstuhl join us from Tennessee plus Renate & Stephen Hess from Houghton/Deaton Creek, GA. After a few hours of round robin, everyone put their costumes on for a few last games of "dinking" competition using paddles with the shapes of pumpkins, ghosts, and black cats.

Thanks to the hard work of NINETEEN chili chefs, from around North Georgia and two from Tennessee, the Pickleball players ended the tournament and adjourned to the stable for the chili cook-off. Additional members of the community joined in for the competition - Sharon Thomas from Dahlonega, Weston & Denise Richter from Beverly Hills, CA, Donna & Jim Walters from Marietta, Marnie Tait from Canton, Ray & Louise Irwin from Hickory Flat, plus Water Tank Road Neighbors Marla & Jeffrey Doss, Donna & Greg Goodall, and Dottie & Jim Frassetto. Fabio & Sabine Yeppes/T.C. Country Purina Store in Macedonia not only competed in the chili contest, but supplied the crowd with the delicious Belgian brandy filled chocolates from their store.

Marnie Tait won the cook-off prize of $25.00 and a gourmet soup tureen with her "Black Bean, Sweet Potato, and Quinoa Chili with Smoked Chipotle Crème.

Weston Richter and Renate Hess were recognized for their 60th birthdays during the past few days.

Thanks to all who contributed to make this Halloween event a success. I don't want to leave anyone out, so I will simply say that we couldn't have done it alone! As always, Ke Kai Ruckstuhl came from Loudon, TN with a beautiful Halloween centerpiece along with her chili contribution. Katie Brown helped with not only the set up and tear down, but furnished the bowls, napkins, and spoons. The Vonesh homemade cornbread and Riordon crackers helped cool down our heated throats after the "Not Jo Momma's Chili (Joe Gilmore), Bah Batt Chili (Charles Batt), Veggie Cat Chili (Cat Osterhold), Wendy's Chili (Marilyn Stapleton) Sharon Thomas chili, Bam Bam Blaster Chili (Renate Hess), The Real Thing Chili (Donna Walters), Chadwick Chicken Chow Chili (Lana Chadwick), Chilly Willy Chili (Gary Clark), LA Hothead Chili (Bonnie Clark), Wimpy Chili (Carole Hess), Ghoulish Gourmet Chili (Marni Tait), Ladies Special Chili (Ke Kai Ruckstuhl), Connie's Belly Bomb Chili (Connie/Dan Ross), It'll Getcha Gumbo Chili (Jimmy Williamson), World's End Chili (Sabine Yeppes/TC Country), and Best Ever Vegetarian Chili (Louise Irwin). We were able to wash it all down, thanks to the beer and 40 pounds of ice from Jon Pyle, more beer from Dan Ross and Joe Gilmore, plus water and soda from Ken & Janice Riordon, Judy Vonesh, Terri Weiner, and other club members!  

See you on the courts at the 10 a.m. Monday/Wednesday/Friday/Saturday new Fall time. With winter temperatures coming soon, we may begin play later if the members desire.

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