AUBURN - A lot of people get cabin fever this time of year.

The employees of Auburn Memorial Hospital found the remedy - and a way to raise funds for a good cause - by holding a chili cook-off and ice skating party at Casey Park in Auburn Saturday afternoon.

“It is a morality booster to get away from the pressures of the hospital,” said AMH vice president of patient care services, Roz McCormick. “We wanted to bring families out and just have fun.”

McCormick laughed as she tried to walk on skates before heading out to the ice.

“Wow, I have not been ice skating since I was a teenager,” she said.

In December hospital employees began a community events program as a way for the hospital and its employees to become more involved in the community.

“We want to become more involved with charity events and other community involvements,” said director of nursing, Vicki Casper. “We want to become a bigger presence within the community.”

The chili cook-off was the second employee event for the group and held a hospital theme.

Two tables held chili filled crock-pots with names such as “one day surgery knock out chili,” and “pacemaker chili,” and chili lovers lining up to vote for their favorite.

“My chili helps keep you going,” said Bob Springstead of his pacemaker chili. “And its for a good cause.”

Springstead is not an AMH employee but entered the contest with his son, Rob Springstead to show his support to the group.

The father/son team actually had three varieties of chili that they said came from one basic recipe.

“I have my own recipe,” Bob said. “My son just took my recipe and added to it.”

Bob's “pacemaker” chili was the original and is the mild variety, he said, the other two recipes were “full code,” which is the medium version, and “mega code” for the hot flavor.

“Mine are much better,” Rob joked.

Jody Kowal was more partial to his wife, Daniela Kowal's, venison chili, or as it was known at the cook-off, “deer in headlights chili.”

Yet he did give the other patrons a fair chance by sampling the others.

“They are all pretty good,” he said. “But I already know what my wife's tastes like.”

Hospital employees weren't the only chili enthusiasts to enjoy the afternoon.

Tom Coomber happened upon the event when he brought his son to the park for an afternoon of ice skating.

“This is nice,” he said. “I just brought my son skating and I get to enjoy some chili.”