LAKEHURST – It could be spicy, it could be tangy, or it could just warm in your stomach on a cold day.
The annual Lakehurst Historical Society sponsored their annual Soup-R-Bowl Chili Challenge that involved several local organizations who “picked up a ladle” and entered their best chili and soup recipes in this popular competition.
Participants included the Borough Police Department, Lakehurst Fleet Reserve Association 124, Lakehurst Fire Company, Lakehurst First Aid Squad, PathStone, and the AristaCare Cooking Club.
Admission was only $5 which serves as the first of two major fundraisers for the historical society. As always, the event also featured a gift auction and a 50/50 raffle.
All funds raised go towards maintaining the Lakehurst Historical Society Museum, located at 300 Center Street, which helps to keep alive the community’s rich local history.
Club President and Borough Councilwoman Bernadette Dugan said, “we filled up fast. This event started at 3 p.m. but we had people lined up to enter before 2:30 p.m.”
Event hostess Kathy Abrahamsen provided the timeline for people to put in their vote for best soup and chili of the day and read off the winners of the numerous gift baskets that filled the stage and were raffled off during the event.
Abrahamsen said, “this marks our 15th year.” Later she would call up the winners of the day for the event where no one went home hungry.
The Lakehurst Volunteer First Aid Squad served up Misty’s Famous #9 which won a trophy for the judge’s choice category and featured ground beef, ground hot sausage, tomato sauce, sliced tomato, basil, garlic and much more.
Squad Vice President Misty Sinkewitz revealed that during a prior chili contest the same recipe was served up and the samples were numbered without names. “I heard someone yell out ‘oh number nine is the best’ so from that point on I said we’ll call it #9 Chili.”
The topping for that chili along with shredded cheese was homemade cornbread that proved popular for those on the long line to sample the various chili choices.
Lakehurst Police Department’s Hot Pursuit Chili and Wimpy’s Maine Cream Potato soup netted them the People’s Choice Award for both Chili and Soup while the Lakehurst Fleet Reserve won first place for their chili.
Lakehurst Police Lt. Ian James was once again manning the department’s table and noted there was no change in their prize-winning formula. “We stick with it, and we enjoy this event.” He noted that the soup came from “my wife’s father’s recipe from Maine.”
AristaCare Cooking Club won for their Lasagna Soup.
The Fleet Reserve Association 124 provided a meaty chili selection with tamed jalapenos that had less bite. They took first place for their chili.
“I’m glad I didn’t have to judge this. They were all delicious,” Councilman Brian DiMeo said. He and his wife Michele were enjoying the festivities and trying each tasty soup and chili. Baked goods were present for purchase as well to assure a sweet treat after the chili and soup sampling.
Over at the PathStone table, Brenda Lauble, the Placement & Career Services Developer for the firm was urging those who passed by to try their beef stew soup and if they wished, to add some oyster crackers to it. This marked their second year to be a part of the annual event.
PathStone is involved in training and employment services for seniors reentering the workforce and offers a Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). To qualify you must be age 55 or older eligible to work in the U.S., unemployed and living on a limited income. Their office is located at 675 Route 70, Suite 5A, Lakehurst.
The Lakehurst Historical Society entry of mushroom soup made by Dugan went very fast as did the Lakehurst Volunteer Fire Company’s chili entry. Some attendees were disappointed to find out that they had run out of their supply a tad early this year.
