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Spirits are high at annual festival
By MICHELLE JONES
© St. Petersburg Times, SHADY HILLS -- Brenda Whitley of Shady Hills said participating in the Chili Cook-Off at the Shady Hills sixth annual Septemberfest was her maiden voyage into cooking competitively. "Fennel seed is my secret ingredient to a good chili," said Whitley. "But it has to be cooked in a cast iron pot." Keith Clark, who won first place in last year's competition, used a cast iron skillet. "It seasons the flavor," he said. Clark returned this year to defend his title. Ten competitors brought their favorite chili recipe to the family festival Saturday held at the Shady Hills Family Center on Greenglen Lane in Shady Hills. "We've had a good crowd," said Elsie Logan, facilitator at the center. "This is the first year we've had the festival run three days." In addition to Saturday's chili cookoff, there was a car show and on Sunday a motorcycle show was scheduled. Arts and crafts, many with patriotic themes, food, games for children and entertainment were all part of the day's activities. TKO (Totally Kool Oldies) entertained visitors to the free festival early Saturday afternoon. They sang slow and fast songs from the 1950's, much to the crowd's delight. "They play the oldies but goodies," said Cathy Garrow of Hudson. "I've heard them at Sam's Beach House in Hudson where they bring in a big crowd. They are great." During one of the songs, Lou Fortunato came down from the stage to get some audience participation. Melanie Evans, 15, and Diane Saunders, who says she used to be a teenager, both sang a refrain from Why Must I Be a Teenager in Love, with Fortunato. While the TKO trio sang Peppermint Twist, Joan Catrett and Greg Fiorello danced the twist. "I like doing any kind of dance," said Fiorello. Shirley Carr was one of the crafters who came to sell her wares. She used to live in Shady Hills, but now resides in Haines City. "This is just a hobby," she said of her crafts that included dolls, candles, silk flower arrangements and some American flag magnets she created out of tin cans. "I forgot to bring tent stakes; I'm not a pro at this yet," she said in reference to the wind whipping at the sides of her tent. Intermittent light showers of rain and a wind that blew leaves around the festival didn't seem to dampen spirits. Even Nick, a dog from the K-9 unit of the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, seemed to be having a good time as Deputy Joe Riddick took the German shepherd through his paces. Back at the chili cookoff, some of the cooks were providing samples to visitors who dropped by after sniffing the aroma in the air. "This is fun," said Whitley. "Even if I don't win, we will have chili for dinner." First prize in the cookoff is $200, second $150 and third $100. Last year Rhonda Egelston took home second place with her recipe. She was vying for first this year. "I split the money I won last year between the Cub Scouts and the Boys and Girls Club," said Egelston. "I'm using the same recipe again this year." - Michelle Jones covers central Pasco community news. She can be reached at (813) 226-3459. Her e-mail address is jones@sptimes.com.
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