Local residents came out in full force Friday night to support the Quitman Pilot Club’s Annual Chili Cook-off at the Carroll Green Civic Center in Quitman. Twenty-two local businesses and organizations competed for the top honors of “Judge’s Choice,” “Showmanship” and “People’s Choice” awards. Dale Cummings kicked things off and provided entertainment throughout the night. 

The judges for the chili competition this year included Wood County Judge, Kevin White, Nancy Kennedy and Royce Kennedy. Additionally, Joan Bearden, Amy Stinson and April Johnson judged the showmanship category.

Quitman Pilot Club President Patricia Durst presented Quitman Public Librarian Delene Allen with a special award recognizing all of her hard work in the community. She was selected to serve as the Grand Marshal of the night and selected the Yantis Federal Credit Union as her choice to receive this year’s Grand Marshal Award. 

Wood County Electric Cooperative was the big winner of the night bringing home first place prizes in both the “Judge’s Choice” award and the “Showmanship” award. 

Other winners included Rockin’ S&S snagging second and The Links at Land’s End placing third in the “Judge’s Choice” category. Yantis Federal Credit Union placed second and Speakeasy Coffeehouse won third place in the “Showmanship” category. 

The “People’s Choice” award is earned each year by attendees “voting” for their favorite chili by placing tips in buckets at each contestant’s table.

This year’s first place award went to The Links at Land’s End, with Yantis Federal Credit Union placing second and the Alba Volunteer Fire Department placing third. 

All contestants’ tips totaled over $1,200. This money is given back to the Pilot Club to be used toward local projects. 

Wood County Precinct 4 Commissioner Russell Ackerman volunteered as auctioneer for the Pilot Club’s annual dessert fundraiser, and the Pilots raffled four themed gift buckets, each filled with $300 gift cards. Stu Dunkle won the “Guy’s Gift Card Dream,” B. Humble won the “Gal’s Gift Card Dream,” and Bruce Hatch won the “Foodie” gift card bucket, while Eric Stinson took home the “Retail Therapy” bucket.

Amy Park, chairwoman of the cook-off, summarized the night stating, “We had a highly successful fundraiser. We Pilots are continuously amazed by the strong support we get from the community. The chili cooks, our generous sponsors and the many who attend are the ones who make this event something to look forward to each year. We could not be more grateful. This year, we raised just over $11,600. Every cent will be put to good use.”

The Quitman Pilot Club works with their national organization to provide education on how to prevent traumatic brain injuries, and they offer services to those with brain related disorders such as Alzheimers, strokes and autism. 

Quitman Pilot Club’s local projects include supporting the Special Olympics, Project Lifesaver and bicycle safety.

They also serve as a program partner for the Dolly Parton library, and they raise funds to make it possible for every child in Quitman, Alba, Golden and Yantis from ages birth to five to receive a free age-appropriate book each month by mail.