Bright sunshine, tasty chili and good company were the key ingredients for 2021’s successful Chilly Chili event, held by the Rotary Club of Ottawa and the Rotaract Club of Ottawa.
 
Meeting at the Jack Purcell Community Centre, participants from the Ottawa Rotary, Rotaract and Colonel By Interact clubs were treated to a hard-fought chili cook-off where the competition was fierce but, in the end, everyone was a winner.  “It was a tough choice, but I think all agreed that it was too close to call,” said David Graff, Rotaract Past President.  “Certainly, no one went home hungry, and no one was disappointed.”
 
The gathering also saw the presentation of the Rotaractor-of-the-Year award by Past Club President Eva Hammond to Connor Haberl.  Awarded in memory of her late husband Russell Hammond, Eva was also responsible for launching the tradition of the Chilly Chili event and the Ottawa Rotaract Club itself.
 
André Bourdon, New Generations Chair, coordinated the event and is already looking forward to 2022.  “It was great to see our Rotaractors.  I hope the word spreads, and we see even more eager faces next year.”