by TaLeiza Calloway
news@thenewsleaders.com
Residents of the St. Joseph Mobile Home Community took advantage of the perfect weather central Minnesota has seen recently. One of the true signs of summer is hosting a barbeque.
Well, the St. Joseph residents not only hosted a barbeque with all the trimmings, they hosted their first “Rib Cook-Off” event Aug. 11. More than 30 residents came out to support the event and left with full stomachs and sauce-filled fingers.
There were three competitors. Louis James, Bob Graca and Brian Bullivant set out to win bragging rights for the year. They were judged on presentation, smell and taste. James entered a wet and dry (a rib without sauce) rib while Bullivant and Graca entered meats with sauce.
In the end it was James who won with 97 points. Bullivant trailed by one point with a score of 96. Bullivant still doesn’t understand how he lost, but says he will be ready next year. Graca earned 84 points when judging ended.
James, who likes to cook, said he does the majority of the cooking in his household.
Mamie Watson, one of the organizers for the event, said participants started preparing at 8 a.m. Judging took place at 4 p.m. and after 5 p.m. attendees were still enjoying the social. It was a full day, with attendees bringing side dishes and desserts.
“We’ve had a good time,” Watson said. “It’s been a beautiful day. I think the kids enjoyed it more than the adults.”
This year was just to see if there was interest. Watson said she hopes to have more games for the children next year, possibly even adding an inflatable attraction. They stayed pretty busy though this year with karaoke, games of “Simon Says” and more.
Rose Albrecht, manager of the community, said they want to make it an annual event.
“I like this because it brings everyone together,” Albrecht said. “It’s fun.”
Organizers hope to see more people come out in the future. The event went so well, they might even host a chili cook-off this fall.
