4th Annual Chili Cook Off Recap
On October 18th, 2025, the Secord Lake Association (SLA) held its 4th annual chili cookoff. Money raised will help with Secord Lake Improvement Projects. Thank you to all who attended to support what is becoming a Secord Lake tradition!
We appreciate the Secord Lake Eagles for their continued partnership to make this event a success. This past year they added four additional 20-amp breakers and outlets in the serving area which enabled us to serve 20 hot chilis, without one blown circuit breaker!
Mike Odette performed at the afterparty, which at times became a massive sing-along to some of the most popular tunes of all time.
Congratulations to our top three winners who received a cash prize, and custom items created by JoJo-Bean (Gina Klokeid)!
1st Place: Courtney Friedle (Chili #7) with 67 votes (middle)
2nd Place: Jim Braidwood (Chili #15) with 51 votes (left)
3rd Place: Christopher Ochab (Chili #19) with 50 votes (right)
We thank all of those that prepared Chili this year. Their collective investment of time, ingredients and talent allow the Secord Chili Cook-Off to start the Fall season. Note, we missed a few of the Chili Cooks as they snuck to the room next door to catch the Michigan Game.
SHOUT OUT TO THE CHEFS! Cortney Friedie, Jim Braidwood, Christopher Ochab, Kelly Russel, Mark LeBlanc, Kim Fair, David Smith, Lauren Spanske, Chrstine Grace, Jacob Ballard, Jackie Beck, Joe Mireles, Jim Oconnell, Denny Harris, Dennis Przywara, Dave Wetherell, Dean Morre, Jeff Sorensen, Kris Panetta, Susan Krey
Congratulations to West River Drive for winning bragging rights for the next year for the silent auction item that generated the most money! It was a pizza oven and a starter kit with a winning bid of $450.
We thank Bruce and Susan Townley and his law firm Ziegler & Townley PC for their generous donation. Bruce and his family are great supporters of the SLA; we value their continued participation.
Thank you to John Young of Walbridge Construction in Detroit, MI for their generous donation again this year. John and his family continue to support the SLA and the Secord Lake community.
Cheers to Midland Brewing and Evan Westervelt for donating four cases of “Dam Good Beer”!
Please consider supporting our local sponsors:
Thank you to all who donated silent auction items. Every year, we receive some unique items, and it is always fun to see which one generates the most interest.
Thanks to our core 2025 Chili Cookoff Committee Chaired by Paul Gorans with heavy participation from Brent Wilson, Phil Dast, Kim Carlson, and Marti Drabing. Thanks to those that volunteered for setup and the event! We could not have pulled it off without you:
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Registration: Karen Dast, Sandy Sikora, Tami Johanson
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Chili registration and management: Lisa Dziatczak who kept it all organized and her husband Mark who helped to get them checked in and plugged in!
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Chili serving: Alaina Gargano, Nancy Schabel, Julie Wiskup, Marti Drabing, Bev Rich, Karen Savine, Kim Brown, Nancy Faruggia, Kitty Schmidt, Danielle Collins
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Merch sales: Ken Wells and Adam Schroth
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Drink ticket sales: Heidi Schroth
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Raffle ticket sales: Kaitlyn Schroth, Chris Sparza, Mark Conant, and Ed Lee
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MC: Chad Toms
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Pavilion Bartenders: Larry Santamour Jr, Loran Jolin, Micah White, Taylor Cooper, Sam Settler, Phil Woodward
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Silent Auction: Todd Johanson, Brent Wilson
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Eagles planning: Al Duffield, Ward Comer, LeeAnn Campbell Clayton
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Tuesday and Friday night setup: Bruce and Susan Townley, Todd and Tami Johanson, Mike and Marti Drabing, along with the Eagles’ Tuesday Night Shuffleboard Crew.
The 5th annual chili cookoff will return to the Secord Lake Eagles in October 2026. Look for more details as we roll into the Spring.
SLA President Phil Dast with our township supervisors, Joel Vernier, Sue Morgan, and Chuck Sikora (also SLA VP).
Phil Dast with Bruce Townley and Paul Gorans who were enjoying a Dam Good Beer.
A hearty THANK YOU to our servers - - -we appreciate you!
After Party FUN at the Secord Lake Eagles!
