Congratulations and thanks!

Congratulations to all the winners in the 12th Annual Chamber Chili Cook Off held Oct. 13 in Konehete Park, Murphy.

The winners were: Murphy Public Library, first; Three Palms Isle, LLC, second; and The Cherokee Scout I, third. Taking the People's Choice was Scottish Woods Resort and Showmanship went to the Tri- County Community College's Student Government Association.

With 20 entries, a record number of participants, there were no restaurants entered in the restaurant category.

Thanks to all the folks who came out to support this fall event sponsored by the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. Thank you to the judges: Lee Nichols, The Cole House, Andrews; Tina Chandler, Chestnut's, Andrews; and Doyle Smith, Doyle's Cedar Hill Restaurant, Murphy. Nichols said he was surprised he still 'had some live taste buds" after sampling 20 different kinds of chili.

Mayfield Dairies supplied the ice cream treats which were a reward for turning in the People's Choice ballots.

Spicing up the event was DJ Chad Johnson of Mad Hatter Entertainment, and CC Chili of TCCC SGA (Harrison and Janessa Reuter).

Proceeds go the chamber's operating fund to help provide more community events, county wide, and to promote its business members.

I want to thank all the chamber staff (Tonja Crain, Rhea Crisp, Ben LeFeat, Autumn Moore, Jessica Wells) and the Cherokee County Chamber Board of Directors, the Recreation Department, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC, and Murphy Power Board for their support of this community event.

See you next year at the 13th Annual Chamber Chili Cook Off, held the second Saturday in October.

Sande Kimball

Executive Director Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce