So, you are wondering what has happened to the world where a handshake and a cup of coffee, or even a phone call was the accepted means of communication. Well, at the Big Chili we still believe in those best of all worlds where talking across a table is always preferable to talking with your thumbs on a little box that sends poorly worded messages that are void of proper punctuation. We are however, realists, in the sense that when it comes to raising money for our favorite people, the Fire and Rescue services of the mountain communities, we will use whatever means are effective and available. Thus, the Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival Blog and Social Network have come to be. Through this effort we are currently reaching 5,000 people daily and it is climbing all the time, and you, regardless of where you live can be a part of this great effort for our firefighters by a sponsorship of our social networking efforts. Your company name will not only show up and be talked about on our facebook, fan page, twitter and blog every day, but you will be thought of as a partner with the Blue Spruce Kiwanis and the Big Chili Cook-off in our efforts to support the people who risk all to protect us in the mountain communities. They are heroes and we want them to know that we are proud of them and thankful for their sacrifice. You can tell them yourself and the entire community with your sponsorship that you are on board. It works for all of us.
Twenty-First Century
Dollars and Sense
When you support the Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival you do so much more than help to pay for a grand event in Evergreen, Colorado. The Big Chili was established to raise money for our Volunteer Firefighters in the mountain districts covering Conifer, Evergreen, Indian Hills, Idledale, Kittredge, Bailey, Pine, Morrison, and all the areas that land in between. These volunteers, who leave work or their businesses to perform fire and rescue not only don’t get paid for their service, thus the label of “volunteer”, but many of them end up paying for their own firefighting and rescue equipment. We thought it would be interesting to see what some of the items cost that they need to safely perform their duties. A pair fire boots, able to withstand tough terrain and high temperatures is priced between $300 and $800. The helmets that shield their face and allow them to breath in less smoke start at a little over $500 and go up from there, the gloves are between $60 and $100, and the turnout gear starts at just over $1000 for the jacket and $500 for the pants, and this doesn’t include back up air systems, ropes and hooks, fire blankets, gasmasks or the number of other items that make their jobs doable. When we write the check to each of the six Volunteer Fire Departments that the Big Chili supports we alleviate just a portion of what it costs them to protect us. Perspective is a powerful thing. (Thank you to TheFireStore.com for this information.)
Take Note
Several times in the last few days we have been struck by the high and continuous commitment to volunteerism that exists in the mountain towns. It is nothing out of the ordinary to hear of a person that is working a major event, and answering phone calls for the EAPL, and serving on the Board for the Center for the Arts Evergreen, and teaching Bible Study at their church. How do people find the time for all of this, and why in the world do they do it? The question is baffling, and perhaps not even worth asking. After all, why they do it or even how is not as crucial as the fact that they do it at all. Enthusiasm for volunteering isn’t something that can be thrust upon someone, it can’t even really be taught. It is part of life long journey of believing that one person makes a difference, that being part of community is a privilege, that things don’t happen just because we want them to, and that work, whether for financial reward or not, contributes to a healthy, well-balanced life. The astonishing part comes when you realize that literal droves of these volunteer thinkers live in our mountain communities and every day make it possible for all of us to participate in this “better than whatever is second on the list” life that we live here. If you are one of the many who give even when things are tight, who show up even when you are tired, who laugh when others are whining – take this to heart because we mean it. Thank you.
The Art of the Cook-off
The Big Chili Cook-off was created by some people who were bordering on brilliant. They realized even then that man does not live on chili, beer and music alone. We need beauty, art as it were, to satisfy the part of us that rises above the heat of the day and meets our soul in that quiet place that restores our sanity in a hurried world. That is why the event is called the Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival, and that is why, every year we bring some of the finest artists from all over the state to the Lake House in Evergreen for that wondrous day in 
September. The artists are selected by jury and we are pleased to attract true artisans and craftsman who bring that one of a kind work that our guests are looking for. Each artist displays their goods in their own space, allowing attendees to peruse their booth at a leisurely pace, often making a connection with an artist that they will collect for years to come. If you are an artist looking for that “right place” to meet your public, 
the Big Chili event will provide you with the setting you have been craving – a relaxed atmosphere, full of people who value the talent of a fine artist and will give you a chance to explain some of what you do. Join us for your introduction to the more than 5,000 people who will be in attendance and a wonderful day in the mountains of Evergreen!
Spring Watch
Spring is actually here and Colorado is showing off about it. Azure blue skies and air that feels like it is full of promises and places to go, accompanied by daylight that is stretching into the early evening is making us all feel like we are made for outdoor living again. Soil is being turned in the beds and mulch being purchased by the truck load in anticipation of the crystal warmth of the spring sun – still just a brush of heat rather than the prickly fingers of the summer sun. With all the grilling activities and general fun it can be easy to get careless, but the dry conditions and the windy days make the Colorado mountains ripe for fire, nearly every day bringing a new story of wild fire and homes threatened. The volunteer firefighters in Evergreen, Elk Creek, Indian Hills, Platte Canyon, Inter Canyon and North Fork will have their hands full this spring season. As a community we must be vigilant in our attention to potential fire danger and serious about mitigation around our homes and businesses. Love the outdoors – enjoy the beautiful weather, always mindful that what each one of us can make a difference for all of us.
Comrade
“I cannot even imagine where I would be today were it not for
that handful of friends who have given me a heart full of joy.
Let’s face it, friends make life a lot more fun.”
– Charles R. Swindoll
Embrace It
“There is a certain relief in change, even though it be from bad to worse; as I have found in traveling in a stagecoach, that it often a comfort to shift one’s position and be bruised in a new place.”
Tales of a Traveler (1824)
To Do List
It seems that when people believe in something, like liberty, they have their priorities straight in other areas too. A study of the kind of people it took to build this country is a journey through courage, faith, and fortitude, mixed with enough foible to prove that they were regular people. Is it any wonder that as our cities grew and the need arose, it would be these same people who would answer the call for one of the most harrowing duties then or now, that being the volunteer firefighter? Those early noblemen believed in putting their sweat and muscle behind their belief in the life we were fighting for, so with shovel and bucket they joined 
the forces that would be the genesis of volunteer firefighting in this country. Amongst those who have served are some you have heard of; Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, Aaron Burr, John Barry, Millard Fillmore and James Buchanan. Interesting to note that despite their other commitments in life, like writing the Declaration of Independence, being President of the United States, serving in the First Continental Congress, fighting the Revolutionary War, they found time to volunteer to fight the fires that threatened the safety of their homes and neighbors. Firefighters then, firefighters now – not much has changed.
Bring the Kids
The Big Chili Cook-off Music and Arts Festival isn’t just about chili, music and art. It is hosted by the Blue Spruce Kiwanis so it is also about kids, who up through ten years old get in free. When you enter the grounds go left, through the chili cooks, past the band stand, around the food vendors, past the artists area and you will find yourself in the happiest place in the whole festival, where there are castles for jumping and faces to paint, balls to be 
juggled and grass for running. It is a child’s fun place supervised by big people who are actually children themselves. They know how to make little people smile and their whole day is devoted to making that happen in the biggest way. As if there wasn’t already enough excitement, in the middle of the whole party a helicopter, yes a real helicopter, will land and the kids will get to have a look around as well as talk to the pilot and imagine themselves flying over the city on grand rescues. It’s true what they say about the Big Chili – it’s a lot bigger than just chili!
Start Your Engines
Is there anything cooler than life on a Harley? Harley Davidson, the motorcycle invented, designed and built in the United States by a twenty year old guy who started by mounting a motor on a regular bicycle. Intended mainly for racing, the motorized two-wheeler was so popular it became the vehicle of choice in World War I and soon after hit the streets with a vengeance. The design and performance have continued to be the trademark for the all American icon and today’s bikes are style and grace on wheels. Harley Davidson isn’t just any motorcycle, it is our motorcycle, the bike that built the West and this year, the Tenth Anniversary for the Big Chili Cook-off, we’ve got ‘em. Freedom Harley Davidson will be joining us on September 11th at the Lake House. They are sponsoring the event, and they’re coming with bikes, real Harley Davidson’s. So put on your leathers and wear your boots. Harley’s coming to town and we can’t wait!
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