On Oct. 19, members of Port St. Lucie Elks Lodge #2658 participated in the annual chili cook-off at Clover Park Stadium in Port St. Lucie. This event benefits the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County. The lodge set up a tent, and Cindy Cruse and Kelly-Jo Dugas cooked chili on-site for the competition, while Chef Cindy Haugland brought chili she made at the lodge to sell at the competition, as this was also a requirement. The theme of the event was Disney villains; Marge Spera, PDD was Cruella De Vil and the volunteers dressed as the dalmatian puppies. The volunteers gave out 149 Drug Awareness bags filled with Drug Awareness coloring books and pamphlets and candy to the children. Elroy the Elk (Art Lander) attended as well and posed for pictures with the children. There were more than 37 chili competitors and the lodge won third place for best chili, second place for best costume and first place for nonprofit team.

In the group picture, kneeling, are Jill Randazzo and Rose Taynor. In the second row are Chef Cindy Cruse, Chef Kelly-Jo Dugas, Rose Orlowski, JoAnne Cassels-Lander, Geri Catalano, Vivian Coleman, PDD Marge Spera and Sally Mullens. In the third row are Chef Cindy Haugland; John Gravina; and Thomas Randazzo, Exalted Ruler. Pictured with two of the awards are Chef Kelly-Jo Dugas; Thomas Randazzo, Exalted Ruler; and Chef Cindy Cruse.