I can’t make it Spring but I can make it hot. Probably. See what you think. I was over at the Eastport Market (there’s a big surprise) and saw this notice on the bulletin board.
This looked interesting. Something new and different. Something to do in March. Besides, I am a fool for firefighters (especially the one I raised), and I love prizes. The toys below will definitely not be among the prizes, as they are valuable antiques–OK, beloved playthings of days gone by–on display during the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society holiday show a couple of years ago. They did not belong to Rob the Firefighter, either, as all of his toys were pretty thoroughly used up by the time he got through with them. However, he did grow up to be an excellent firefighter and a good cook, too, so we must have done something right. I digress.
I had a bunch of questions about the Cook-off. What are they raising money for? How much do I pay to have some of that desirable chili–not to mention the dessert? And what are the prizes? I fired off an email to Ryan Bigelow, Torch Lake Township Fire Chief. On the very same day I had a response.
The Torch Lake Fireman’s Association is a Non-profit that consists primarly of firefighters with the Torch Lake Township Fire Department. Our association funds are often used for buying extra equipment and gear, t-shirts and jackets for our firefighters, and for anything that we can’t use taxpayer money to purchase. There is no entry fee to come in and do some tasting, although donations will be accepted. I’m not sure on the cost of raffle tickets yet; I will know that on Monday. Prizes will be gift cards, fire extinguishers, and others items as well.
Fire extinguishers! I love my fire extinguisher. It is the one household appliance I know how to work reliably. And you cannot beat pay-what-you-like firehouse chili. I’m in. I hope you’ll come too. The chili will taste something like this.
Torch Lake Views 
sybil
March 16, 2014
Ooooh FIREY HOT !!
Gerry
March 16, 2014
It had better be, as we are tired of being cold.
tootlepedal
March 16, 2014
You may need the extinguisher.
Gerry
March 16, 2014
I’ll rely on the Kitchen Water Feature.
WOL
March 16, 2014
I.e., hot enough that you forget your feet feel like they are frozen up to the knees?
Gerry
March 17, 2014
I take your point. However, my feet are mostly fine. Wool socks, knee-length boots, brisk toddling along. It’s my fingers that I can’t keep warm. Surely a nice bowl of chili held gently between my paws . . .
Dawn
March 19, 2014
ooooooh…sounds GOOD! I think I need to learn how to use a fire extinguisher. It’s the kind of thing that you don’t want to be reading the directions when you need to use it.
Gerry
March 19, 2014
That is exactly right. Go read the directions right now. The other thing is . . . it’s only good for very small fires caught right away. Otherwise grab Katie and holler to her daddy to come on and all of you get out of the house. (I am way up on my soapbox. There were two house fires in Antrim County last night, both houses a complete loss, fortunately no deaths or injuries.)
shoreacres
March 19, 2014
Not just chili, but a cookoff! That’s one of the favorite sports in these parts. If I thought I could be home in time for work on Monday, I’d beat it up there and make you some Texas chili, just to be neighborly. Or, I could make the Iowa version. When I moved down here to Texas and made chili, after everyone stopped laughing, they asked for a second bowl. Variety is the spice of life, or something.
Gerry
March 19, 2014
Some people measure chili quality by the number of blisters they acquire. I am in favor of something I can actually taste without sobbing. But that’s just me. I would love to sample both Texas chili and Linda’s own Iowa chili. I am an indifferent cook, so to be really neighborly I should probably just supply quantities of Antrim County cider and some Short’s beer.
shoreacres
March 26, 2014
This happened in Houston yesterday. This is why the firefighters deserve every bit of support we can give them. There’s a little casual “language”, but it’s appropriate — and yes, everything turns out ok.
Gerry
March 26, 2014
I am going to get to broadband today and will look at the video then. Naturally I am curious as all get-out.
shoreacres
March 26, 2014
I just listened to an hour-long interview with Brad Hawthorn, the firefighter on the end of the ladder. It will go up as a podcast sometime today,probably, and when it does, I’ll link it. He and the host watched the video together, and Mr. Hawthorn answered questions and provided commentary. Absolutely fascinating.
Gerry
March 26, 2014
OK, I just saw the video at the library. GACK. Possibly mothers of firefighters should not watch such things. For that matter, mothers of construction workers might not want to watch them either. Everything turns out OK. Hold that thought.