Great chili and ugly sweaters at WOLA

More than one hundred people came for the Starry Nights Chili Cook-off at the Word of Life Assembly of God Church Sunday evening December 11.

A full house of people enjoying 13 kinds of chili

The program began with a prayer led by Pastor Cory Yake. Then people lined up to go down both sides of banquet tables laden with thirteen different kinds of chili. There were dark chilis and light chilis, mild and hot. Varying recipes featured beef or chicken with a variety of spices, beans, vegetables, and corn. To supplement the chili, people had brought corn bread, sour cream, chopped onions, and corn chips.

More than 100 people came to sample the chili

As people sat and sampled the chilis, they were entertained by Preston Jacobs strumming his guitar and singing a variety of contemporary and old-time folk rock tunes.

Preston Jacobs performed during the meal

Preston’s parents Larry and Lauri Jacobs attend WOLA. Preston now lives in Redding but came up for the cook-off to share his talents.

It took some time to sample each of the thirteen chili’s. After doing so, each of the diners wrote the number of their favorite on a piece of paper and deposited it in a jar. Pastors Ken Frazier and Cory Yake amused the audience with their friendly bantor as the results were counted and the audience enjoyed pie and cookies.

Suspence mounted as the people awaited the announcement of the winner.

Pastors Ken and Cory announce the winners of the Chili Cook-off

The contest was very close the announcers reported. Third place went to Chili #5 prepared by Marge Ingolls. Second place was awarded to Anna Frazier for Chili #12 (I voted for this one!)

And the grand winner was Krissy Foutch who had cooked up Chili # 3! Krissy won a box of chocolates and a $50 gift card.

What’s up men? All the winners were ladies this year.

Next came the Ugly Sweater Contest, a new feature of this year’s event. Pastor Ken wore a Dodger’s sweatshirt as his ugly sweater.

Participants in the Ugly Sweater Contest

Ugly Sweater Winner Wilson Tyler with wife Elizabeth and sons Sebastion and Wyatt

The contest was judged by the cheers of the audience. As they went down the line several people received a roaring applause. But when it came to Wilson Tyler with his full blue outfit lined with snowflakes and reindeer, the response was thunderous. The acclaim was so deafening that little Tyler had to cover his ears.

It was a joyous evening with good food, wonderful company, and good fun.

The Masters of Ceremony thanked Kathy Newton for organizing the event.

This was the first of three Starry Nights events hosted for the community. The next will be “Memories of Christmas” a sing-along of traditional carols on Sunday December 18 at 6 p.m.

The culmination of WOLA’s Starry Nights will be Christmas Eve Service Saturday night December 24 from 6 – 7:15 p.m.

“God bless us everyone.”