For the sixth year the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad has sponsored the local Chili Cook-Off Contest, and for the sixth year it has been a tasting extraordinaire. Civic groups compete, preparing what they believe to be the best chili of them all. Judges select the top three entries while ticket-holders tasting each entry cast their votes for people’s choice.
 
The Piankatank Ruritan Club, for the second year in a row, won both first- and second-place honors. The club offered two versions of chili.
The Mathews Lions Club, as it did last year, was awarded third place. The people’s choice was captured by a first-time participant, the Gwynn’s Island Civic League first, Lions Club second and Mathews Ruritan Club third.
Ron Lambert, who has chaired this event since its beginning, commented on the success of chili night in Mathews. “We had approximately 320 people there during the night.” He said attendance was “down a little but from my viewpoint, eve...