11th Annual CBA/ABATE Chili Cook-Off

By: Wally WerschIng

The concerned bikers Association/ABATE of Cleveland

County held their 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off at the on March 13th, 2021 at Western Dynasty on Main Street in Boiling Springs, NC. The Cleveland County CBA/ABATE is keeping the biker community informed. Haley (the president) is working very hard, and it shows in the organization and enthusiasm.

The cook-off started at about noon. I arrived at the Western Dynasty parking lot at about 3:30PM. While parking “Miss Vickie”, a little boy walked up holding a small dog. He said that “Miss Vickie” was the “most beautiful motorcycle he ever saw”. I told him it was a Victory – not a Harley.

The parking lot was large, and the contestants were spread out around the edge. I couldn’t smell the chili cooking, but I could see the steam rising from their pots when they lifted the lids to stir their special concoction.

This year’s competition was again in memory of Amy “Shortie” Norris who was the chili champ in 2012 and 2013. Everybody had a pot of chili cooking near their table. They had been cooking their chili since noon. The judging would take place at 5:00PM; afterwards the chili would be available for sale.

I placed copies of the Carolinas Full Throttle Magazine on the main CBA table. Then I talked with Haley. She was sitting in a Winners Marcia Queen & Anna Hunt chair relaxing after working hard to set up the tent earlier in the day.

I walked over to the Royal Priesthood Motorcycle Ministry tent to talk with “Superman”. We used to work together a lifetime ago. The plant is now scheduled to shut down in July. I wanted to see how he was holding up. It happened to me once, and it wasn’t a very good feeling knowing that your job was going to end soon. He plans on staying to the end to get the bonus. Then he’ll look for a new job.

The three judges had a very hard time determining a winner. The judges determined that there was a tie for 1st place between Royal Priesthood Biker Church Marcia Queen and Anna Hunt. They will get their name engraved on the plaque with all the past winners.

The cook-off was another success, and I’ll definitely go back again next year. I will also keep an eye out for future CBA/ABATE events so I can continue to enjoy the company of my friends. Check their Facebook page for more info.