Commerce church to hold chili cook-off

The recent cold snap has everyone thinking about ways to stay warm. Friday night, there's an event sure to fit the bill.
The Commerce Cumberland Presbyterian Women will have a chili cook-off and silent auction to benefit local families in need.
Nell McKinney is a member of the group, and she expects a lot of people will leave the festivities full of good food. The event is scheduled for 5-8 p.m. in the church's fellowship hall. The church is in Commerce community, on the outskirts of Watertown on South Commerce Road, about five miles from Watertown Square.
"We will also have live music," she said. "Brian Anderson and his group will be there playing country music. We have the chili cook-off and then we'll have supper. We'll be eating our chili.
We had 10 pots of chili last year, and we're hoping for more this year."
The dinner will offer not only chili, but also sandwiches and desserts . Only the chili will be judged, and the judging will begin at 5:30 p.m.
All proceeds will be used to buy shoes, sock and underwear for needy children, food baskets for shut-ins and families, to support a child at the Children's Home and to help missionaries.
"All of this is to benefit our missions in our community,” McKinney said. "If there's a need, we take care of it."
The church ladies made a lot of things for the silent auction.
"We have a handmade quilt; it's huge, she said. "It's probably a king size. We have handmade cushions and pillow cases. There will be lots of homemade cakes. I'm making an orange cake."
Anyone who would like some good food in a country setting, this could be the perfect event.
"It's a beautiful little country church out there and there's not a lot of us there, but there's a lot of work that goes on," McKinney said. "It's a fun night, we all have a good time."
Staff writer Mary Hinds may be reached at 615-444-3952, ext. 45 or maryhinds@lebanondemocrat.com.