Editor, Gazette-Journal:

In 2014, the Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad started the wonderful community event “The Chili Cook-Off,” which they successfully held for six years. Then along came Covid, which caused it to be canceled for the following two years.

The rescue squad was unable to recruit the necessary volunteers to continue, so the Mathews Rotary Club agreed to continue this great traditional event for the community. In 2022, we held an extraordinarily successful event, thanks to the participation of a handful of the great civic groups that support our community. The community supported it, and everyone attending had a wonderful time eating chili and being together.

I am sad to report that this year “The Chili Cook-Off” will be postponed until next year, due to the inability of local civic groups to support this year’s event. Covid, changing demographics, and other challenges have left many of our community organizations with significantly fewer members.

This year’s ...