Venison chili, white chili, fifteen bean chili, and tamale chili – in all, eleven varieties of chili were offered during Seasonings for SOAR! Chili Cook-off held Saturday, March 9th.

Eleven teams competed and two hundred and sixty-two people came out for the event to help raise funds for SOAR!, the local adult and family literacy non-profit.

For $5, those who attended the Cook-off got to sample as many varieties of chili as they wanted, along with peanut butter sandwiches, beverages, and cookies.

The Washington County Community Foundation approved $8,000 in matching funds for Washington County SOAR! Washington County SOAR! Adult & Family Literacy Program, which is committed to breaking the cycle of family illiteracy and to helping each individual reach his or her potential. SOAR! currently does not receive any state, federal or county funding.  Most of SOAR’s funding is received from general donations from the community, fundraisers, and some grants.

“We are excited to be able to help SOAR! with their fundraising.  This is an important service to our community. Increasing our literacy level is an important step in increasing our overall educational attainment in Washington County,” said WCCF Executive Director, Judy Johnson.

Washington County SOAR literacy program is conducting a photo contest.  At least eighteen photos will be chosen from those submitted for use in a special SOAR! Calendar.  There will be a photo credit for each person submitting a selected photo.

Anyone may submit photos taken in the county, including local scenery, historical sites, landmarks, public events or scenes from days gone by.  All photos must be original, not copies or copies off a computer.  Those photos will not reproduce well. Digital photos may be emailed to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Hard copies of photos may be sent to 1707 N. Shelby St. Suite 107 Salem, Indiana.

The winner of the top photo will win a prize of a Power Shot 2300 Digital Camera and have his/her picture featured on the front of the calendar.

Please contact the SOAR! office at 896-1515 for additional information or questions. Again, photos may be sent to Erica Schmidt, director of SOAR, 1707 N. Shelby St. Suite 107 Salem, Indiana 47167 or e-mailed to  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Deadline to submit photos is March 4, 2013.