A fun time was had by all

While waiting for the results, Clay County Deputy Prosecutor Mark Greenwell performed John Denver's "Home Grown Tomatoes" for visitors at The Brazil Times' Relay For Life teams "Clark Kent Super Group" and the "Lois Lane Ladies" chili cook-off to help support the upcoming 2010 Clay County American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

It was great to see our contestants and judges take time out of their lives and participate in the event.

There were a lot of warm tummies and smiles in the conference room as everyone taste-tested the eight entries. (It would have been wonderful to have more entries, but with so much happening in our community the past week, the situation was entirely understandable.)

Hats off to contestants Peggy Berry, Patty Hurst, Elizabeth Vitz, Harold and Delores Hadden, Gary Morlan, Brad Llewellyn and winner Tonya Adamson. The Crock-Pots of chili -- the traditional meat variety and regional recipes with macaroni -- ranged from savory to spicy flavors.

There was also chocolate chip cookies, brownies, mini cupcakes and sweet cheesy cornbread available among the toppings of sour cream, cheese and saltine crackers.

Several of the judges agreed it was difficult to select one winner, with a few going back for seconds and thirds to make sure of their choice.

Spectators, contestants and Times' employees watched Brazil Fire Chief Jim Smith, Brazil Deputy Clerk Treasurer Raymond Staub, Clay County Courthouse employees Lea Vandever, Kelly Mason and Allison Butts and Clay County Deputy Prosecutor Mark Greenwell do the judging.

As the totals were tallied, Greenwell picked up a guitar that was sitting in the conference room and sang John Denver's "Home Grown Tomatoes" for the audience.

Promptly after the winner was announced, leftover "chili shots" went on sale for 50 cents.

However, event organizers decided to share the bounty of leftover chili with local law enforcement officers who were working the funeral detail for Marine Cpl. Gregory Scott Stultz.

Several local residents also stopped by to purchase a chili shot (or two or three), a cup of coffee and a dessert (or two or three).

Some visitors wanted to only try the grand winning chili, while others wanted to sample everything.

There were also several requests for individual chili recipes, which the contests didn't supply this time around.

However, I made a cheater's version of sweet cheesy cornbread for people to enjoy with their chili shots. And I'm happy to share the recipe I learned to make from a college friend many years ago.

SHOPPING LIST

2 boxes Jiffy
Corn Bread Mix

1 can creamed style corn


1 can corn kernels

4 eggs


1 stick of softened sweet cream butter, melted

1/3 cup of brown sugar

1 cup of shredded cheese (your favorite brand)

Thoroughly mix the first six ingredients in a bowl until creamy, then add the cheese.

Fill muffin cups half way before baking in a 350-degree oven per the instructions.

Let cool on a rack before removing from the pan.

You can make an icing to drizzle on top of the muffins out of a 1/4-cup of powdered sugar, two tablespoons of melted butter and one teaspoon of lemon juice.