By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Crest Forest Senior Citizens club started their year off right by holding its annual chili cook-off at their clubhouse, Leisure Shores, on the eastern shore of Lake Gregory on Friday, Jan. 23 at 11:30 a.m. This year they had nine competing tastes of chili created by their members from vegetarian to heavily meat and chicken chilis.
The celebrity judges representing many of the area restaurants and nonprofits who have been very supportive of the seniors in many ways were Sergio from Osario Brothers Restaurant in Rimforest; Lizz Bullard, manager from Ace Hardware in Crestline; Mauve and Andrew from Bear Claw Saloon in Lake Gregory Village; Holland Lowe from Operation Provider in Rimforest; Dr Patrick Rains, formerly from Arrowhead Animal Hospital and part of Lake Arrowhead Rotary Club; Patty Berry, owner of Doggy Styles Pet Grooming and president of the Lions Club; and Kevin, a manager from La Casita Mexican restaurant in Crestline.
The members of the Crest Forest Seniors who attended this potluck luncheon brought a variety of corn breads, salads and toppings such as onions, grated cheeses, sour cream and tasty desserts to complement the chili. The club supplied the coffee and other refreshments.
Chili cook-off winners Mike, Debbie and Ruth.
These monthly membership luncheons are a delightful opportunity for the members of the club to socialize together, meet new friends and have a great meal while learning about what else is occurring in town. The Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club, with a membership of approximately 300 and growing, is an integral part of the community and supports its many activities. It was their members who joined with the Chamber of Commerce’s “Holiday in the Pines” festivities last December to present Santa Claus at Foxhound Studios, coordinated by Vicki Vargas and her other elves from the senior club. For this and her many other programs she had coordinated and worked at, including this chili cookoff, Vargas was nominated to be “Volunteer of the Month” by the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club to be honored at their February meeting.
Membership in the Crest Forest Senior Citizens Club is very easy, with a lower age requirement of 50 and a yearly membership fee of $20 for January through December. Active members receive a parking hang tag for the Leisure Shores parking lot (with a value of $50 if purchased separately).
Leisure Shores is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. weekdays and offers many clubs, activities and game days during the month, with a whole calendar of events for those who want to get involved and have fun. The club also sponsors twice weekly senior nutritional luncheons at the San Moritz Lodge, and other activities in the community such as hiking and bowling. Members who have been active for a year or longer and turn 80 years old get free memberships for the rest of their life.
This month the club offers 63 different activities including bowling days, yoga, Tai Chi classes, game days, art lessons, walking the lake together, Philosophy Club, various discussion groups, Mountain Music Makers, Oldies but Goodies and numerous card and board games, such as dominoes, bunco, poker, plus classes in beginning Spanish. There are several sewing groups such as the Quilts of Valor class, who make quilts for local veterans, and the community sew group. The calendar is always posted on Crest Forest Seniors Facebook page. See their Facebook page or call Tamara at (909) 338-5038 during club hours for additional information.
Lori Wickes announced the chili contest winners. In third place, receiving a great gift basket, was CFSCC member Ruth. Winning the $25 second-place Goodwin’s gift certificate was Debbie Bollin. The first-place winner was a new member to the club, Mike Ormerod, who received a $50 Goodwin’s gift certificate. Each received a chili cook-off apron and a winning medal. The 50/50 raffle totaled $84. There were many door prizes given out by Marci Collar, the Ye Olde Thrift Store manager.
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