03/06/2017
On Saturday, March 4, the American Legion Post 521 held their 1st annual CAMAN Chili Cook-off. CAMAN the Post 521 our fine feathered mascot gets his name from the branches of the United States armed services C-Coast Guard A-Army M-Marines A-Air Force and N-Navy. The American Legion Haggin Grant Post 521 was established in 1934, located in the heart of Rio Linda, at 6700 8th St. it has long since been a meeting place for wartime vets who served from World War 1 to the present War on Terrorism. Every year since 1934, Post 521 Legionaries do activities, services, and fund raisers that directly benefit veterans, veteran families, youth, and the community.
The 2017 CAMAN Chili Cook-off entries ranged from a sweet and tasty, to a hot and spicy, there was a turkey chili, a meaty chili, a spicy chili, a burn your taste buds off chili and they all tasted great. The blind taste judges’ panel of Hal Morris, Rick Simmons, and Allard Parfitt had a tough time choosing the best chili. Chilies received scores for aroma, texture, color, taste and aftertaste. The 2017 CAMAN Chili Cook-off judge’s winners were:
1st Grand Chili - Elliott Ross, submitted by Elliott Ross
2nd Rockin Robin, submitted by Robin M Tafoya-Larson
3rd Hippie Death Chili, submitted by Kathy and Todd Pisarek
With over 140 votes cast, the 2017 CAMAN Chili Cook-off People’s Choice winners were:
1st Rockin Robin, submitted by Robin M Tafoya-Larson
2nd Muddy Waters Barbecue, submitted by Mudflapp, George Grippen, and Rick Betz
3rd Hippie Death Chili, submitted by Kathy and Todd Pisarek
In attendance were various community leaders and veteran supporters. They included Sacramento County 4th District Supervisor Sue Frost, Jack Frost Veteran and member of Citrus Heights American Legion Post 637, Charlee Moore and Jason Green RLE Visions Task Force, Hal Morris Rio Linda/Elverta Chamber of Commerce/CPAC, Rick Simmons Rio Linda Fire Engine #2, restoration crew, and Allard Parfitt local businessman and professional swing dancer. Supervisor Sue Frost, an avid supporter of veterans, brought her family to include her husband, a Vietnam veteran. Our small community welcomed Supervisor Sue Frost and her family. Supervisor Sue Frost dedication to veterans’ issues was apparent as she mingled with the cooks, supporters and organizers. Jim Paine and Tom Brown both Vietnam Veterans and Legionnaires of Post 521 provided the workforce in the kitchen serving up appetizing hot dogs, chili dogs, and nachos. The facility electrical power for the chili warmers was done by John O’Brien, Post 521 Legionnaire. The organizers of this event were lifetime legionnaires Mike Patty, Post 521 First Vice Commander and Gilbert Tafoya, Post 521 Executive Board.
Special Recognition goes out to the 1st annual CAMAN Chili Cook-off Sponsors that made this event possible -The Rio Linda News and owner Don Flesch, American Legion Post 521, American Legion District 6 First Vice President Ramona Tafoya, Mike Patty, John O’Brien, Gilbert Tafoya, and Print Slingers owner Gary Labelle.
