Ortonville – The weather was cold but the grills were hot at the ‘Heat Stays on in Ortonville? fund-raising barbecue cook off, hosted by Amy Guirey at the Village Pub.
Temperatures were chilly and wet on Aug. 21 but eight barbecue contestants battled for a tasty win with their sumptuous grilling concoctions.
Hoisting a home fire extinguisher as a trophy, Jim Rogers took home the win with a spicy secret cider sauce.
The fund-raiser co-founder Sue Bess said the weather put a slight damper on participation but those who did attend the were treated to some tasty ribs.
‘The entries were very good,? Bess said, adding that everyone who donated $10 enjoyed a picnic style dinner of beans, potato salad, rolls, and masterpiece ribs; all supplied by The Village Pub.
Attendees also participated in voting on the winning rib recipe.
The ‘Heat Stays on in Ortonville? program was an idea Bess came up with last winter after she learned from Ortonville Community Emergency Fund director, Judy Henley that a large number of local families were struggling financially to keep their heat on during last winter’s subzero temperatures.
Bess said the OCEF money just dried up and she realized something had to be done locally to ensure families stay warm in the coming winter.
In August Bess and Guirey organized a golf outing that netted over $1,000, which was turned over to OCEF specifically for the purpose of assisting local residents to pay winter heat bills.
Guirey said the rib cook-off netted nearly $400, including $100 from a silent auction of a carbon monoxide detector and a golf portrait donated for the event.
Bess said there is talk of future plans of a spaghetti cook-off to continue raising the funds.