The social committee of the Cottages and Highlands at Yankee Trace recently held the Second Annual Chili Cook-Off for residents and their guests. Reputations and appetites were on the line at this most anticipated and highly attended quarterly event of the year.

Over 40 people gathered under the tent on a brisk fall day. The Cook Off is part pot-luck and part competition, with all in attendance voting for their favorite chili. Six delicious entries vied for honors this year. Everyone was stunned by a three-way tie for First Place! However, honor was satisfied and friendships were preserved with a presentation of restaurant gift cards for all three winners.

Raffle giveaways are fun, so beautiful mums in a variety of fall colors were raffled off to randomly selected winners. Each winner chose their favorite from the tables. This year’s event was another fantastic gathering that included socializing with familiar friends and welcoming many new members to our wonderful community.

A donation box was also available to anyone wishing to join in supporting the animals at SICSA (Society for Improvement of Conditions for Stray Animals). Many residents at the Cottages and Highlands are pet owners, so this is a cause dear to our hearts. We hope to make life easier on these animals while they await new homes.

Special thanks go out to everyone who participated, and to the committee members who volunteered their time to make it happen: Jackie Love, Kim Koumas, Nancy Albert, Sally Baranyi (one of our cook-off winners!) and Bronwyn Duteil.

Planning for our annual Homeowner Association Meeting in December is underway. For information about the Cottages and all of the Simms Communities, visit simmsdev.com.