Saturday will bring 17 teams together for another round of the Natchez Children’s Home Services Broadway Bash Chili Cook-off.

Food competitions in Natchez have become highly anticipated events and this one is no exception. Each year team members come together and present their best chili entry to a panel of judges for an extremely competitive taste test to be named “the best of the best.” Other awards are the “people’s choice” trophy, the “benefactor” trophy, awarded to the teams or local group raising the most money for the benefit, and the “showmanship” trophy voted on by the children of the NCHS. Those who are interested in participating still have time to register. Please call the NCHS office for further details. We would like to thank our sponsors for making this worthwhile fundraiser possible; Rosalie Mansion, Delta Bank, Natchez Regional Hospital, Concordia Bank, Emerald Isle, Fat Mama’s Tamales, Isle of Capri, Belk’s, Natchez Police Dept., Tara Plumbing, Natchez Community Hospital and Westaff.

Natchez Children’s Home Services, a non-profit agency, provides nurturing Christian homes and education of children from abusive and neglected situations. Highly trained staff and counselors intervene in the lives of these children and their families to help prevent the continuation of the cycle abuse. Since 1816, NCHS has demonstrated healthy family models and mentors to these children and to the community.

We are launching a new renovation of the 1950s playground and a need for a safe, attractive environment has increased with the addition of the campus school and preschool day treatment programs. With help from the Natchez Engineering and Recreation Department, they have donated their expertise to developing a five phrase plan that will provide an outlet for the very active and energized children. Come out this Saturday to the grounds of Rosalie and help make our dream of a new playground possible for some very deserving children.

Gina Buckley is the event chair of the Natchez Children’s Home Cook-off.