In the past, I have blogged about the “Chili-Cook-off” in Bourbon, Missouri.  I even put the event in my book, “The Wolf’s Moon,” but placed in the town of Maple Hills.

Part of the cook-off is a raffle, which I donate a copy of “The Wolf’s Moon” and this year I also donated a copy of “The River.”

Next year, I hope to donate another novel as well. (It’s well on its way to the finish line).

This year many more people donated items for the raffle.  All the proceeds go to the local school district.

It was a wonderfully sunny , warm October Saturday for such a get-together, all sponsored by the Town & Country Bank.

Ken Roberts spends half of an hour singing as Elvis Presley.

Crawford Country Electric allows a “bucket” truck to give rides with Mark operating the controls.

Then there is a silent auction and that wonderful standard: The Cake Walk!

Pat Thompson, the Superintendent of the School District, can be seen walking about greeting parents and students.

Carol Hoffstetter, the Vice President of Town & Country Bank, is the M.C.  Carol is also a member of the school board as is Mark.

The reason that I even mention this is last week in the postal mail I received a Certificate of Appreciation for  my donations.

My wife, Sandy, quickly found an empty picture frame and set the certificate inside.  It was a wonderful gesture of my wife to frame it as well as from the staff at Town & Country Bank who sent it.

I know by now, most of who started reading this have long moved on before finishing.  I should say that it doesn’t matter but it does.

This is my Certificate of Appreciation to all the participants who work so hard and invest their time for the children of Crawford County R-I school district.

Thank you all and may the Good Lord remember each of you.