Noon Optimist Club Chili Day

Fred Lynch

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist Club served 1600 persons during its 27th annual Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Arena Building. The event raised $8500 for its support of youth projects.

Mike Blechle stirs chili at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Brenda Blattel, left, and Roxanne Smith, both of Scott City, pass by the hot stuff and fill up with regular chili at the 27th annual Chili Day sponsored by the Cape Girardeau Noon Optimist Club Wednesday, March 2, 2011 at the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Keyboardists Brett Yount, left, and Paul Berens perform with Back in Black for the lunchtime crowd at the Noon Optimist Club Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. Singers include, from left, Dennis Browning, Nicole Arnzen, Kate Broeckling and Jim Ham. (Fred Lynch)
Kevin Gerlach, left, opens cans of diced tomatoes with assistance from Doug Lester, right, and Phil Cantoni at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)

Noon Optimist Club member Bob Fox grabs another batch of chili for the hungry crowd at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Noon Optimist Club member Larry Essner pours just-cooked chili at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Bob Fox adds cumin to a batch of chili at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Doug Lester, right, and Mike Blechle cook meat for the chili at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)
Cory Daniel, left, Tom Essner, right, and Taylor Dial work the take-out line at Chili Day Wednesday, March 2, 2011 in the Arena Building. (Fred Lynch)