Fish shy, but chili was bitin’ at Glen Arbor Winterfest

From staff reports

Glen Arbor held its 11th Annual Winterfest on Saturday, February 19, featuring the popular Perch Fishing Contest, and the Chili Cookoff.

Last week’s thaw made the fish skittish, so while 54 entered the contest, only about one third of them brought in a perch to be measured. The youngest competitor, Gray Raymond, caught his fish off of Inspiration Point, but was cagy about his bait. Another young competitor, Max Guilbeau, only snared a crayfish.

The winners all reported catching their fish on Big Glen Lake with minnows. In First Place was Josh Plamondon (12-5/8″) at $270, the only Plamondon to enter a fish. Second place was Jeff Tavardek (12-1/8″) $162; Third, Warren Tavardek (12″) $108; Fourth, B.J. Tavardek (11-7/8″) $50 gift certificate from Art’s Tavern. Apparently we ran out of Tavardeks. Team Crowther, another long-time entrant, also scratched.

As always the Chili Cookoff was well attended with 20 entrants, and the participants enjoyed the above-zero temperatures this year. In the Traditional Chili category the winner was Boone Docks, with the Western Avenue Grill (and their new chef) taking second place. In Non-traditional Chili Bear Paw Pizza scored another win with it’s Bacon Cheeseburger approach, and Glen Lake School took second with a Four Bean White Chili.

While the snowshoeing and cross country skiing reverted to hiking this weekend, downhill conditions at The Homestead and Crystal Mountain were reported to be good. A winter storm watch is in effect Sunday from noon until Monday morning, and snow is once again in the forecast.