The Nate Robson / The Citizen
Bragging rights and a good adventure will be on the line when residents dig out their famous family chili recipes or turn on their GPS devices in preparation for the upcoming chili cook-off and Cache In, Trash Out program at the Sterling Nature Center.
Charlie Itzin, president of the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center, said the activities are meant to give residents something fun to do while learning more about the center.
With the cook-off, people get to participate in a competitive and friendly atmosphere while enjoying free chili once the judges make their decisions.
While last year's competition had categories such as most beautiful cook, this year's will focus on the best tasting, smelling and looking chili.
“Last year, we had the best looking cook category and I was a finalist and we were all kind of ugly,” Itzin joked. “This year, we will focus on the aroma and color and taste of the chili.”
With several people bringing their family recipes, Itzin said the event gives people a chance to try a wide range of cooking styles such as spicy or vegetarian, and with so many options no one goes home hungry.
“It's all good, last year I didn't take any chili home with me,” Itzin said.
Jim D'Angelo, director of the nature center, said that while the chefs are busy preparing their masterpieces, geocachers will be exploring the nature center looking for hidden treasures while picking up trash in the CITO program.
With nine geocaches hidden in the park, D'Angelo said people will be using their GPS devices to home in on the treasures while picking up trash along the way. Last year, the CITO geocachers cleaned up nearly 40 bags of trash.
This year's geocachers will focus their searches around Moon Beach, where D'Angelo said a lot of trash washed ashore during the winter.
“It's a sub-group of geocaching,” D'Angelo said. “They want to help clean up the park while doing something that they like to do. As they look for treasures, they will take any trash they find out with them.”
While the geocachers will not find any hidden chests filled with gold and jewels, D'Angelo said they may find geocache coins with a tracking number on them, Matchbox cars and other collectible or regional items. One coin that was hidden in the park a couple years ago has already made its way out to Arizona and another one has found its way to Pennsylvania.
With people getting a chance to enjoy some chili while exploring the park, Itzin said it's hard to imagine a better way to spend the day.
“We have fun; it's a good way to get people to come to the nature center,” Itzin said. “Anyone who goes home and says they didn't have fun, well there's something wrong with them.”
Nate Robson
253-5311 ext. 248
nathan.robson@lee.net
What: Chili cook-off
When: Judging from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2
What: Cache In, Trash Out
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 2
What: Annual appreciation dinner for Friends of Sterling Nature Center
When: 5 p.m. Monday, May 4
All events are free at the Sterling Nature Center, 15730 Jensvold Road, Sterling. For more information, call 947-6143.
Charlie Itzin, president of the Friends of the Sterling Nature Center, said the activities are meant to give residents something fun to do while learning more about the center.
With the cook-off, people get to participate in a competitive and friendly atmosphere while enjoying free chili once the judges make their decisions.
While last year's competition had categories such as most beautiful cook, this year's will focus on the best tasting, smelling and looking chili.
“Last year, we had the best looking cook category and I was a finalist and we were all kind of ugly,” Itzin joked. “This year, we will focus on the aroma and color and taste of the chili.”
With several people bringing their family recipes, Itzin said the event gives people a chance to try a wide range of cooking styles such as spicy or vegetarian, and with so many options no one goes home hungry.
“It's all good, last year I didn't take any chili home with me,” Itzin said.
Jim D'Angelo, director of the nature center, said that while the chefs are busy preparing their masterpieces, geocachers will be exploring the nature center looking for hidden treasures while picking up trash in the CITO program.
With nine geocaches hidden in the park, D'Angelo said people will be using their GPS devices to home in on the treasures while picking up trash along the way. Last year, the CITO geocachers cleaned up nearly 40 bags of trash.
This year's geocachers will focus their searches around Moon Beach, where D'Angelo said a lot of trash washed ashore during the winter.
“It's a sub-group of geocaching,” D'Angelo said. “They want to help clean up the park while doing something that they like to do. As they look for treasures, they will take any trash they find out with them.”
While the geocachers will not find any hidden chests filled with gold and jewels, D'Angelo said they may find geocache coins with a tracking number on them, Matchbox cars and other collectible or regional items. One coin that was hidden in the park a couple years ago has already made its way out to Arizona and another one has found its way to Pennsylvania.
With people getting a chance to enjoy some chili while exploring the park, Itzin said it's hard to imagine a better way to spend the day.
“We have fun; it's a good way to get people to come to the nature center,” Itzin said. “Anyone who goes home and says they didn't have fun, well there's something wrong with them.”
Nate Robson
253-5311 ext. 248
nathan.robson@lee.net
What: Chili cook-off
When: Judging from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2
What: Cache In, Trash Out
When: 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 2
What: Annual appreciation dinner for Friends of Sterling Nature Center
When: 5 p.m. Monday, May 4
All events are free at the Sterling Nature Center, 15730 Jensvold Road, Sterling. For more information, call 947-6143.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are No comments posted.