OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- More than 25 small cups of devoured chili sat on Ray and Bernadine Babinec’s table.
The couple attended Olmsted Community Church’s Chili Cookoff Sunday (March 19), where 15 contestants vied for the top honors of the cold weather favorite.
The Fairview Park couple, like many others, had waited for the cookoff to return since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down so many annual events.
“We came here for the cookoff before COVID-19 and watched the paper to see when it might return,” Bernadine said. “When we saw it in your (Sun Post-Herald) paper, we marked the date. It’s so cool to have it back.”
They both agreed that their favorite version was Cheryl Sebjenics’ vegetarian chili, which was based on the competitor’s mother’s recipe.
Thomas and Barb Macuna of North Olmsted also enjoyed the selections they tasted. They favor the more traditional style of chili.
“We both like numbers 1 and 6,” Barb said. “Just finished number eight. Now onto number 9.”
The event cost $5 for adults, with a $10 limit for families. Kids were free. Attendees voted by placing a $1 bill in the jar in front of their favorite chili. All the proceeds from the event went to the Brenda Glass Multipurpose Trauma Center in Cleveland.
Mary Kay and Mike Clawson entered their “church” chili, which included hot turkey sausage, kielbasa and three-color beans among the more common ingredients. This was the first time they entered the contest and attended the event.
“I don’t know why I didn’t do this before,” Mary Kay said. “I’m so happy to see so many people here. It’s for such a good cause, too.”
The cause -- the Brenda Glass Multipurpose Trauma Center -- is a nonprofit organization that offers hope, help and healing to adults and/or families who have experienced a violent crime and are struggling to recover.
Its team provides mental health, outreach and advocacy services to remove barriers to care for and enable survivors to envision hope and actively engage in healing holistically.
Brenda Glass attended Sunday’s cookoff. She said the center is a “small and powerful organization” in the Miles Avenue area that is open 24 hours, seven days a week.
She said its needs have increased “tremendously” since the pandemic. She was overwhelmed by the show of support at the cookoff.
“This makes us feel the energy to keep going. To see all this support to reach far into the Cleveland neighborhood is wonderful. We appreciate it very much,” Glass said.
Augie Naso, 8, helped his grandmother, Dale Pergl, spoon out her chili. He made a sign he placed next to the slow cooker that read “Kid friendly Chili. No beans.” What did he think of her chili?
“I like it,” he said.
With 15 contestants, there were several variations of chili, including two white chicken versions, vegetarian and some containing salsa, four different peppers, pink beans and tomato soup.
Church pastor the Rev. Steven Gower welcomed all to the event. He arrived at the church in May 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, so he had never experienced the cookoff.
“I enjoyed it. There was a lot of different types of chili,” he said.
He was overwhelmed by the generosity shown at the event, which raised more than $1,000 for the center.
“We greatly appreciate the support shown here today,” he said.
The winners of the cookoff were Mary Kay Clawson, first place; Scott Pritchard, second; and Joe Duffy, third. Pastor Steve came in a very close fourth, missing by $2.
A special thanks to the church for bringing back the event, to all the creative chefs and to those who attended and supported it with their donations. All came across as winners Sunday.
Job fair: The Olmsted Falls High School Works! Job Fair is from 2:45 to 4:15 p.m. April 4.
It offers part-time, full-time and seasonal job opportunities for teens to retirees. Many area employers will be present at the job fair, which will be in the school’s main gym.
It’s free, so why not stop by and see what jobs are available.
Talent galore: Check out the local students and community members who will perform at the April 1 Olmsted Falls High School PTA Talent Show. No foolin’!
It is at 6 p.m. in the school’s auditorium. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the door. Proceeds support scholarships for graduating seniors.
Many thanks: Last weekend (March 18 and 19), the community showed that Bulldog spirit by helping new mothers and their infants with needed items and monetary donations.
The Monday evening women’s prayer group of St. Mary of the Falls held its annual Parish Lenten Baby Shower, and the donations were overwhelming. Donations overflowed the travel cribs that were placed in the church’s vestibule.
Monetary donations totaled more than $700, which purchased more baby and mom needs.
A thank you to all who helped make this year’s baby shower such a success.
Flapjacks: Take yourself or your family out to the Olmsted Falls Kiwanis Club’s Sunday Pancake Breakfast April 2.
This annual event will run from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and offers all-you-can-eat pancakes, French toast, sausage and beverages.
The cost is $8 a person, with children 5 and younger admitted free.
You may want to bring a little extra cash to try your luck at some great basket raffles.
Be sure to dress in your best! The Easter Bunny will be there. Photos are a must!
Road closing: An alert! Stearns Road is tentatively set to close April 3 between Bagley and Schady roads for a new Ohio Turnpike bridge, sidewalks, improvements to the Stearns-Bagley intersection and more.
It will open for southbound traffic in late August when the Turnpike bridge is completed. It will remain closed to northbound traffic until September 2024 or so. Jennings Road is the official detour route.
So, begin checking out your best detour route now. Yes, it’s going to be a hassle, but consider the improvements it will make on that roadway and at the Bagley-Stearns intersection.
Passion play: Several Olmsted community members are part of “The Answer.” It is a live rock musical of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. this weekend -- March 24 and 25 -- at St. Clarence Church, 30106 Lorain Road in North Olmsted. There is no admission charge, but donations will be accepted.
Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at jdumound@yahoo.com. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.
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