Cooking chili for a cause

I
’ve said it before, and I’m repeating it: I love Newcastle. Hard times fall on all of us. Far too often, when this happens, we are left to fend for ourselves. But what do you do when you really can’t? What happens when it’s a situation that goes above and beyond what you can take care of? Illness is often this way. It’s usually not only the emotional struggles you go through or a sense of loneliness, of being cut off from the community, it’s also the seemingly endless tests or waiting to hear from your doctor about the prognosis. With illness also comes financial difficulties for most of us, and that can add a great deal of turmoil emotionally, as well as within the relationships we need the most.
One group of persons that I feel should never have to bear the brunt of the financial struggles that health issues bring is our veterans and their families. I believe the country should financially take care of them, especially when they are fighting a serious illness. But this is all too often, not the case. And it has been a strain on Darrel and Mona Wineteer. Darrel is a local vet who, a while back, went through some serious health issues, including kidney disease. Now he is fighting, and in treatment for, lymphoma. And the financial strain has been significant for this beautiful couple.
But where other resources have failed, VFW Post 2516 has stepped in to help ease that burden. On Saturday, Oct.19, the VFW held the Chili Cook-Off for a Cause. Over a dozen contestants submitted their best chili recipes to be judged by a panel, as well as a people’s choice vote. For a $5 donation, you could sample all the chili you wanted. Desserts, tea and coffee were included in the price. And the bar was also open. In addition to the cook-off, attendees could bid in a regular auction and a silent auction. When the auction ended, Stacy Block took his guitar and sang some country/folk stylings. of this enjoyment — food, drink, auctions and, finally, music — ed.
About 175 people came to this event, according to Brian Yeager, a Newcastle resident who heads up a group of veterans from the community college in Gillette. But I think since I talked to him at the beginning of the night, at least 50 more people arrived.  “Veterans in a small community have the responsibility and privilege to help each other in these situations,” Yeager said. 
He expressed his pride in the hard work that went into preparing and putting on the fundraiser. 
“The amazing thing is when brothers and sisters get together for a cause that is greater than themselves,” Yeager said.
And when the auctions happened, everyone got to witness that “amazing thing” firsthand. While no figures were available at the time of this writing, thousands of dollars came in for the Wineteers. The silent auction by itself was a wonder to behold as the winning bids were announced, with gift baskets going for well over $100 in many cases. In one instance, a single strawberry-rhubarb pie sold for $50! The hilarity of the ruckus that ensued between the two highest bidders was thrilling. There were more items in
this silent auction than I cared to count. 
But it was the open auction that I found the most amazing of all. Guns, a gun case, a bloody mary drink basket, as well as the many other items up for auction, brought amazing prices and spirited back and forth bidding, with the bidders encouraged to take another sip of their drinks while they thought it over. The most outstanding part of the whole night for many people was when an HMR 17 rifle sold for $775 to Kaiser Underground, a new local company. No sooner did the gun sell than it was re-donated back to be auctioned off again, with the winning bid coming in at $650. I have never witnessed this type of generosity.
This type of community support is part of what I’ve come to love about Newcastle. I’m still not used to it. Several people have told me, in the past, that I may never get used to it, as even lifelong residents assure me that they are still amazed at the loving and giving spirit of this beautiful town. Of course, Darrel and Mona were just blown away by the outpouring of love, prayers and support they witnessed. “This is unbelievable! I mean, look at this crowd!” Darrel said.
Both Wineteers were choked up when I talked to them. They are so grateful. I’m making a guess here, but Mona looked as if she was about to shed a few tears of relief. What happened this evening more than touched her. 
Once again, I have to say to Newcastle: “Hat’s off! I’m proud to be a part of this great community!”