Chillin' on a Sunday afternoon

BY LAURIE GORDON
STILLWATER — Sunday's weather was spot on for a chili cook off in Stillwater as contestants entered a variety of chili creations and residents gladly took a taste. The brainchild of Kimberly and Dave Williams, the event has been held annually for four years and pits all types of chilis against each other, many of which are family recipes.

"We just love chili," Kimberly Williams said, "It's a fun event and this year's weather is perfect." While many of the chilis were the more traditional meat and bean, the Williams' did a chicken and white bean creation.The LoCasio family, on the other hand, had one with seafood and one called "Dr. Pepper."

Jack Choma scooped out cup-fulls of his wife's chili which she calls Francine. "It was a great aunt's recipe," he said, "She makes it and I'm the sous chef which means I clean up and serve it." He described it as a combination of spice and sweetness and "kid friendly."

The event is held under the auspices of the Paulinskill Lake Association Boat and Ski Club and is open to members of the lake — which runs from Hampton to Stillwater — to "enjoy some great chili and draw awareness to the club's existence," Williams said.

The chili is judged by everyone present both chili creators (who tried those made by others) and those there to simply sample. Three trophies were awarded and the winners were:

First Place, Tom Willever with his Toms Turn, Second Place, Larry Davis with his Sweet and Low, and Third Place went to Ellie LoCascio with his Dr. Pepper.

The Paulinskill Lake Ski and Boat Club was formed in 1962 to promote, sponsor and encourage the interest of safe and controlled water skiing and boating on the waters of Paulinskill Lake. The lake is actually an impounded stream approximately 2.25 miles in length spanning the towns of Stillwater and Hampton. Since it is relatively narrow (about 250 feet at its narrowest and 550 feet at its widest), the State of New Jersey has approved special rules to permit water-skiing, wake-boarding, tubing etc. on the Lake. Part of these rules define a ski course with designated start, stop and turn areas. The Boat and Ski Club maintains the course and acts as a neighborhood watch group to assure user compliance with the rules.