Good times and bragging rights at annual chicken cook-off

MILLERTON — It’s an event that many people in the surrounding area mark on their calenders months in advance, and at six years and running “NASCARâ€� Dave MacMillan’s Sunday in the Country Chicken Cook-Off at  American Legion Post 178  showed plenty of signs of socializing and community support.

At least 100 eager participants crowded the driveway and bar of the Legion last Saturday, hoping to get a piece of chicken heaven.

There were 11 group entries this year, with teams consisting of two, four and six members. Roughly 240 chickens were donated by the Ancram Fire Department as well as the Hillsdale IGA, which have both helped out in the cook-off for all six years. Teams prepared and cooked their own chicken before turning it over to the panel of five judges for review.

“The winner gets chicken trophies and bragging rights for the next year,� declared MacMillan’s wife, Christine, who was helping tally votes.

In a move that surprised some and inspired others to friendly hazing, last year’s winners Tom Lasher and Paddy-O did not participate in the contest this year.

“It’s killing me to not put a team in,� Paddy-O joked. “But we’re gonna come back next year when there’s some actual competition.� In all seriousness, he added that the event was great for the community, and said that “when I sit down at a Thanksgiving meal, it’s a good feeling to know you’ve helped out.�

The chickens not being used in the contest were sold off at $10 an order. All the proceeds went toward NASCAR Dave’s Sunday in the Country food drive, which raises money for 13 different food pantries in the area. There was also a 50/50 raffle and TCA Limo had donated a free ride for four to either Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun casinos.

About 150 tickets were sold for the event, and even though everyone was having a good time and coming out to support the cause, NASCAR Dave was adamant that “we could have done better. But sometimes as a volunteer you can only stretch yourself so far,� he added, regretting that with all the different events lined up for various fundraisers he would have liked to be able to pay a little more attention to each one.

“Whatever dinner is left over will be donated to the food pantries,� MacMillan said, reporting that last year’s contest raised over $3,000. “If we raise $1,000 this year it will be a lot, but it is what it is. A $1,000 on Saturday is $1,000 we didn’t have on Friday. Every nickel counts.�

Even though rivalry between teams was high, no one ever forget the real reason they were there.

“Whatever we place, it doesn’t matter because it’s a good cause,� said Laurie Bates, a member of the Four O’Clock Club, one of two Amenia Fire Department teams that entered. (At the end of the day the teams ended up with a dead tie).

The Westfall Brothers, comprised of Doug, John and Rich, said that it was their first time here.

“We’ve been cooking four to five years for churches in the area,� said Doug, whose team hails from Millerton and Copake. “It’s a good benefit, and we’d wanted to do it in the past. I think we did okay, but I’m sure everyone’s put in good chicken.�

Even the bartenders were doing their part; both Patty Symer and Bob Millius were donating their time behind the bar throughout the afternoon, and Millius even had a chicken in the running.

“Last year we got fourth,� he said. “And I’m helping Dave deliver the dinners to the pantries. Any time I can help him out I’m there.�

Chickens were judged based on appearance, moistness and flavor. Also being held simultaneously was a pie contest, that had been won the last four years in a row by Jenn Parks.

In the end, the modest Westfall Brothers ended up taking home first place honors, with 125 points. In second place, only one point behind, was the Rounders with 124 points and coming in third was the Gobber Stoppers with 120.  Jenn Parks won the pie contest again, with Deb Denny coming in second and Ellen Murphy finishing off the top three.

“I’d like to thank the 11 teams that came out, and of course the American Legion. Without them I couldn’t do what I do,� NASCAR Dave said, concluding the afternoon.