His Chicky Cluck Cluck Chicken Chili won first prize in the cook-off's professional division.
"I was surprised," said Mentzer, who won $200 and an award plaque. "When I got the word that I was entered, I just whipped it up. I used chicken
because I think people are getting away from eating beef and pork."
*
The hoedown - and chili contest - was held in the spacious barn at Ryerss, on 364 acres of beautiful rolling pasture in South Coventry Township.
Joseph Donahue, a Gary Cooper look-alike, in western hat and string tie, is the president and director of the farm, which cares for aged horses.
"We've been at this location since 1987," he said. Before that, the farm was in Malvern, and before that in Philadelphia.
"Ryerss was the last working farm in the city," Donahue said. "We've existed on donations and annual appeals to our members," Donahue said. "But now, we decided to hold a fund-raiser and a hoedown seemed the best way to do it."
Donahue said the money raised for the nonprofit farm would help care for about 75 horses. "The only requirements we have is that the horse is 18 years old and is free of communicable diseases," he said.
Some famous equines have lived out their days in the quiet comfort Ryerss provides. "At one time, we had Jug, who was one of the horses who pulled Eisenhower's caisson during his funeral," Donahue said. "We have had quite a few horses that have been used in state funerals."
The director says an owner is asked to pay a one-time fee of $2,000 to board a horse until it dies.
"That might seem like a lot, but it might cost an owner $200 a month to board a horse on his own," he said. "The people that bring their horses to us are caring people who love their horses and want their animals well cared for until they die."
For $35 per person, guests got a chance to sample 13 chili entries and enjoy a buffet dinner with grilled chicken, roast beef sandwiches, salads and desserts, and plenty of western-style entertainment.
