By GINGER LITTRELL
Saturday’s sunshine was just what organizers of the 11th annual Wildlife Action Cook-off and Sportsman’s Expo had hoped for.
Held in the spacious Boys and Girls Homes arena, the event drew a big crowd, including many families who came to enjoy the variety of indoor and outdoor activities.
Labrador retriever demonstrations wowed the crowd, youth tried their hand at archery and sharpshooting and rode horses while the younger children shed their sweatshirts and kicked off their shoes to slide and bounce on inflatable rides.
About 45 vendors offered displays related to outdoor activities or tempted the crowd with their homemade sweets.
The scent of wild game being prepared for the cook-off event was enhanced by bluegrass “dinner music” by Drifting River, The Locklears and other musicians.
More than 25 recipes in three categories — fin, feather and fur — were prepared by about 15 competitors. The competition was tough, but good sportsmanship was in the air.
“I think the cooks went a bit more upscale on preparation and presentation this year,” commented Mary Ruth Edwards to fellow competitor Bill White.
“I went down to check out the ‘Harry & Harry’ setup and said, ‘You brought everything but the kitchen sink,’” chuckled White. “Then I noticed that they did bring a kitchen sink. I told them I gave them a break by not entering last year, but I’m back today!”
White and Harry Lee Edwards exchanged some laughs as they waited for the judges’ decisions, which was amusing considering the outcome.
The winners were: First place overall ($500) — the “Harry and Harry” team (Harry Lee Edwards and wife Mary Ruth and Harry Foley and wife Katherine) for their Colorado Wild Pheasant Stroganoff; second place overall ($300) also went to “Harry and Harry” for their Stir Fry Venison Strips; and third overall ($100) was Bill White’s famous Shrimp-n-Grits.
Overall winners are determined by judging first place winners from each category. “Harry and Harry” won first place in feather and fur and White took first in fin.
Other winners in the feather division were: Kristen and Kevin Bishop (2nd) with Sage Duck & Mushrooms and Justin Caulder (3rd) for Quail Dumpling Soup. It was Caulder’s first year in the adult division.
Second in the fur division went to John Russ for Venison Fig-A-Loin and Tim Patton took third with Venison Quesadilla.
Tim Patton also took second in the fin division with another rendition of Shrimp-n-Grits (it was a popular dish Saturday) and third went to the “Harry and Harry” team for Seafood Chowder.
Two young men entered the youth division and were awarded $100 U.S. Savings Bonds. Forest Lennon prepared his signature Forest Fire Chili and Justin Spaulding entered a salmon dish.
Judging the contest were Kenny Jones, Bob Berg, Scott Dejong, Kelton King, Ben Liddle, Jimmy Orders, Andrea Almony, Thomas Starling and Dalton Dockery. Most of the judges live outside Columbus County and were carefully selected by the committee, said cookoff organizer Greg Parker.
“I never judge a book by its cover,” noted judge Andrea Almony of Supply. “Some of the simplest dishes are often the best.”
Door prizes were awarded throughout the day with Yvonne Bright winning a $200 certificate to Lowes and Eric Pate winning a $100 Wal-mart gift card.
The Wildlife Action raffle grand prize was a high-definition, big-screen television. Chase Hooks was the lucky winner. Hooks served as a volunteer Saturday, but was not present at the time of the drawing. A cheer went up from the crowd with comments that it couldn’t have gone to a better person. Hooks’ loyalty to the Wildlife Action group was evident Saturday as he arrived walking with crutches and wearing a neck brace from his recent spinal surgery.
“Things seem to go smoother every year,” said event chairman Allison Greene. “I think we’ve found our niche now.”
