South Salem Church's Chili Cook-Off to benefit Alzheimer's Association

The South Salem Presbyterian Church will hold its Third Annual Chili Cook-off from 6-10 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4, in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Hudson Valley Chapter.

“It’s a family-friendly event with a spirited competition, and a wonderful community gathering to celebrate fall, to celebrate cooking together and just spending time with our neighbors,” said Robyn Musicant, one of the event’s organizers.

The chili competition will include five categories: Traditional red (beef-based chili), white (chicken/turkey/pork-based chili), game (chili incorporating venison, elk, bison or other wild-game) vegetarian and junior (chili cookers under 18.) Chili tasters will be invited to sample chili offerings and vote for their favorites, and taster’s choice awards will be presented for first through 12th place based on popular vote.

The judging panel will award gold, silver and bronze medals in each category. Trophies will also be presented for the overall champion and overall reserve champion for combined scores in judges and tasters. There is no charge to enter the chili competition, and participants are still being accepted.

There will be a 50/50 raffle and a Horse & Hound Gift Certificate raffle. Complimentary side dishes and other treats will be provided by the Horse & Hound and congregation members.

The Alzheimer’s Association, which will receive a percentage of the money raised, will have an information table at the event where people can learn about the many programs and services it offers families living with dementia.

“When we were talking about who to partner with for this event, it was a pretty easy decision,” Musicant said. “We were trying to identify an organization with which everyone can feel a connection, and an organization that fills a need that touches many of us.”

“There are people among us -- our friends, our neighbors -- who will most certainly be touched by this at some point in some way, and they may not know who to reach out to,” she said. “There is a lot of education right at our fingertips if we only know who to get in touch. Anyone can go to the Internet, but to reach out to somebody local who can help is totally different,” Musicant said.

She said the cook-off is part of the church’s effort to benefit the greater community.

“My pastor, Dr. Chip Andrus, has a goal of making our church an absolute hub of community and charity. Whenever we have a fundraiser, it is an initiative of ours to work with a local charity organization to bring the community together. Not necessarily for religious purposes, but for community purposes and charity purposes. The effort turns into something greater than the sum of its individual parts.”

Musicant and her fellow event planner Martin Watkins both know from personal experience how terrible Alzheimer’s can be. They both lost grandparents to dementia.

“My grandmother, Edna Musicant, was a force to be reckoned with. She kept the family afloat financially. She kept her synagogue in ship shape. She owned the most successful flower shop in town and chaired countless charity committees -- which made it so much more difficult to watch her deteriorate,” she said. “When I was in my late teens, she started showing signs, and by my early 20s, she got to a point where she didn’t recognize us. And then, ultimately and horribly, she didn’t recognize her own son -- which at that point was more devastating for us than it was for her,” Musicant recalled.

Watkins recounted similar heartbreak when his grandfather, Angelo Angelico, developed dementia.

“I watched a man who was an idol of mine have to succumb to this awful disease. This handsome, really fun guy, who was just a great father and grandfather shrank away to nothing. He didn’t know who anyone was. It went from being playful to really, really sad and heartbreaking within a year or two, Watkins recalled. “It always stuck with me as a vivid childhood memory, and I always thought someday there will be an advancement where this disease goes away.”

“My grandmother, Rose Angelico, is turning 85, and I know that she suffered along with my grandfather taking care of him for over a decade while he was going through this process,” Watkins said. “I couldn’t think of a better gift to give my grandmother for her 85th birthday than to let her know that we were working to help find a cure. I know that she’ll be so tickled that we’re doing something to help this.”

“The idea that there’s actually a cure floating around is incredibly hopeful,” Musicant said.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s research, care and support. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Visit alz.org/hudsonvalley.

If you go

What: South Salem Presbyterian Church Third Annual Chili Cook-Off

When: 6-10 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4

Where: 111 Spring St., South Salem

Cost: Chili tasting admission is $20 for adults; $10 for 12 and under. There is no cost to enter the chili competition.

Web: Visit www.southsalempc.org for registration form to compete

Contact: 914.763.9282 with questions or email sspcchilicookoff@gmail.com