Chili Feed Memories

This past weekend Millie, Livy and I attended a Cairo School Neighborhood reunion. It was so heart warming to be with so many people who were a part of my formative years. We walked in with neighbors from church then I saw my high school guidance counselor. We visited for quite a while. In high school I really struggled with her approach to life. Nowadays when I see her it's just nice to catch up and visit about life for a while. 

The woman circled in the picture I believe is the founder of the chili feed. Mrs Trenkle donated her chili recipe that was used for years and years and raised many thousands of dollars for that delightful school. 

I remember the big pots and the huge paddles the volunteers stirred them with. It was a major effort to put on the chili feed so many people came and gave a few hours or days to make it a success. 

This man is in the Salad station. I'm pretty sure this is Jim Trenkle the founding woman's youngest son. I loved this salad with its special tangy fermented dressing. It was a once a year treat.

Chili was mostly cooked outside in huge pots. For years my dad and Rod Frahm were in charge of the whole show. They shopped and got donations and organized people. It was an annual event they looked forward to. As farmers the month of January and February was slower so they were able to do the work required without cutting into their primary occupations too much. I was so proud my dad was in charge. I remember several times going to sort the beans. This meant the bags of dry beans were dumped into a large tray and we sorted out rocks and or dirt clods. Then the beans were put in water to soak over night. 

This hand written list was insightful to me. I didn't know the many steps. But with these instructions I think a person could probably replicated the event. I remember days and days of selling tickets to neighbors, grandparents and fellow farmers. It was a good experience to go with my dad and meet people and ask if they would buy some tickets. I really enjoyed that time with my dad. Even though I was never a top seller I did a fair amount of ticket sales. 

I would ask my grandmother to bring her pies. She bought 2-6 pies mainly apple I recall but possibly some pumpkin as well, The amount of pies in the pie room was mind blowing for a youngster. I enjoyed working in take out helping get orders ready. I was not great at serving in the main hall as I was clumsy, or too quick, and spilled things like hot coffee on the floor. Coffee was a new challenge as we didn't drink or use it at my house. It was less stress to work take-out.
 

The records from the event were eye opening to reflect on. It was a big deal to be the top seller or to win the poster contest. I never did either of those but new the people who would. Every student was given the opportunity to create a unique poster advertising the upcoming chili feed. Then a committee selected the most creative poster. Those were copied and hung around town to advertise. Prizes were given for top 3 posters and sellers I think. My memory is not clear on the fine details but from these many years away I just have fond memories of working together. I also remember the awe of seeing our usually barren school parking lot completely full of cars for hours the evening of the chili feed. I remember thinking we were making so much money. That was a great sensation to know that all that work was providing money for my school to use for the students. And I loved the chocolate milk that was leftover the next day. We didn't get chocolate milk everyday back then so it was a special treat. And we ate in our classrooms the day of because the gym was all set up for the feed. That was different too. All in all the reunion was a pleasant few hours reminiscing and sharing a meal yet again with special hard working people. I have been so blessed by people who are willing to share their time and talents to improve the lives of kids. Life is good and we are blessed.