To the editor:

Psi Iota Xi would like to applaud the community for their incredible support of the third annual Komedy Spelling Bea & Chili Cook-Off. The event, which included a silent auction, was a huge success with over 250 people present.

Your contributions and attendance helped us continue to grow our fundraising efforts this year by raising over $4,300 from the event. These funds will allow us to provide scholarships to Brown County High School students, as well as many art, music, literature and speech and hearing needs in Brown County.

Thank you to the following amazing celebrity chili cookers for providing us with a splendid meal: Jason Kirchhofer, Sara Dawdy, Bryan Callon, Jim Oliver, Jana Shaw, Scott Bryenton, Jon Roock, Brenda Ely, Jerry Kellems, Joe Miller, Leslie Bassett, Max Fish, Ruth Ann Bailey, Julie Miller, Jason Asher, Maxine Cardinal, Faith Floyd, Justin Schwenk and Steve Hilton as our grand winner with his Beef Brisket Chili and 10,412 votes!

Thank you to the following celebrity spellers for a fabulous show: Dr. Marin Garcia, Natalie Van Zuiden, Michelle Wagers, Nicole Wells, Brenda Badger, Ted Adams, Kendall Yeaton, Jenn Day, Debbie Schroeder, Arthur Omberg, Keith Fleener, Amy Oliver, Tom Floyd, Chasity Smith, Gavin Steele and Brian Garman as our champion speller.

We would also like to thank our emcee, Joe Wray; judges, Brian Galm and Mary Cartwright; pianist, Amanda Webb; Dr. Lauri Godfrey and her stage crew for sound and set-up, as well as Tom Baker and his technology students for their videography.

Our silent auction donations generously came from artist Amanda Mathis, Ethereal Day Spa, Moonshine Leather, Amazing Joe’s Grill, Explore BC, Mother Earth Designs, Arthur Omberg, The Ferguson House, Nashville Fudge Kitchen, Artist’s Colony Inn, Forever Sweet, Nashville House, August Moon, Girl Scout Troop 92, Paws & Claws Pet Gifts, Barb Brooke Davis, Goldilocks Salon, Red Lobster, John Barrett Painting, Gourds, Salt Creek Golf Retreat, the Brown County Playhouse, Grasshopper Flats, The Seasons Lodge, Big Woods Brewing Co., Grazie! Italian Eatery, Denny Smith, BP, Hidden Valley Inn, Squire Boone Caverns, the Brown County Democrat, Hillbilly Footwash, Story Inn, Brown County Art Guild, Hob Nob Corner restaurant, Laura Stuart, Brown County Rock & Fossil Shop, Bev Hollandbeck, Sweet Cozy Living, Brozinni’s, Dale Hollandbeck, Sweetea’s, Buck Shot Sporting Goods, Hotel Nashville, Texas Roadhouse of Columbus, Cardinal Stage Company, Indiana Caverns, That Sandwich Place, Carmel Corn Cottage, Jack and Jill Nut Shop, Through the Looking Glass, Carol’s Crafts, IU Jacob School of Music, Touch of Silver Gold & Old, Casa Del Sol, Kiss the Cook, Trail Hobo, Changing Seasons, La Sha’s, Twisted Wick, Chili’s of Bloomington and Columbus, Las Chalupas, The Village Florist, Comfort Inn of Columbus, Lawrence Brothers Glassblowers, Weed Patch Music Co., The Country Store, Le Petite Café, The Wild Olive, Creative Style, Life is Good, Woolicious Wearable Art, The Daily Grind, Main Street Images, the YMCA, The Emerald Pencil, Marengo Cave, Yogi’s Grill & Bar, Mary Kay with Erika Bryenton, Miller’s Ice Cream and YoMaMa Frozen Yogurt.

Our donations for putting on the entire event came from McDonald’s, J Bobs, Pepsi, Charlie Roush, Brown County IGA, Eddie’s Pizza, Brownie’s, Brown County High School, Shane Killinger and David Shaffer.

Again, we thank the community for their support and their charitable contributions. We truly enjoy working with you in helping give back to our community and look forward to more.

We are now taking preorders for spring flowers. Call President Lisa Shaner at 812-345-1570 with questions or to order.

See you next year for the fourth annual Komedy Spelling Bea & Chili Cook-Off!

Thank you,

Psi Iota Xi (submitted by Erika Bryenton)