The dessert special will be sweet potato pie with locally-grown potatoes provided by the UU Meals Planning Group but with volunteer bakers making the pie. Of course, other desserts are welcome, too, especially seasonal ones such as squash or pumpkin bars, carrot cake, or apple crisp. And of course, chocolate is always welcome whether in brownies or cookies.

The cook-off is a volunteer effort and highly dependent on people signing up in advance to be chili makers, other food providers, judges, and meal workers. Of course, walk-on volunteers are also welcome the day of the meal, chipping in where there is the most need and people feel most comfortable helping..

If you are interested in volunteering, look at the sign-up sheet, discern where you wish to serve, and email Helen Gunderson who will enter your name on the sheet. You can also contact her if you have questions about the cook-off.

Custom-made, stone-colored aprons with burgundy-colored artwork by Lonna Nachtigal will be awarded for the best cornbread and to the winner in each of the four chili categories: traditional, non-traditional/alternative, spicy with meat, and spicy without meat. A dozen aprons will be for sale at the cook-off for $18 apiece, first come first serve. The proceeds will go toward defraying the planning group's cost for the meal.

There will be a new floor plan. It's slowly evolving, but if you follow the link, you can see what the planning group is currently envisioning and mulling over.