Manyberries hosts chili cook-off fundraiser

Marlene Bodin, one of the event's organizers, enjoys one of the 10 chilis on display at the cook off.

By Jeremy Appel

Commentator/Courier

Manyberries Community Hall hosted the hamlet’s 20th annual chili cook-off and silent auction, its largest fundraiser of the year, on April 14.
There were 10 different types of chili available for attendees to sample, along with numerous items up for auction.
Marlene Bodin of the Manyberries Community Association says the event is meant to attract people from both Manyberries and the surrounding area.
“It brings out a lot of city people around the community and we use proceeds to help (fund projects),” said Bodin.
Last year, the funds went towards repairing the community hall’s roof, which was dubbed the “Raise the Roof” fundraiser.
This year’s funds will go towards fixing the ceiling inside, she added.
“It helps bring the community together, because our community is quite small now, so it brings some former residents back and they enjoy getting together, and they enjoy tasting all the chili,” Bodin said.
This year’s cook-off was particularly important for Roseanne Heydlauff, whose recently-deceased father-in-law was one of the original event’s co-founders 20 years ago.
“I haven’t had a team in for years, but this year we decided that it’s time to bring back the competition,” she said.
“We actually entered it before he passed.”
Rachel Stromsmoe came from nearby Etzikom to be at this fundraiser.
“Manyberries does usually put on a lot of good events around here,” she said. “It’s worth the drive for us.
“I feel like all the communities here like to support each other.
“When we have events in Etzikom, lots of people come our from Manyberries too.”
Stromsmoe tried four of the 10 chilis.
“I got kind of full,” she said. “It is very good chili.”

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