The Apalachin Fire Department held their annual Open House to kick off the start of National Fire Prevention Week. Safety demonstrations were given during the day and the department's equipment was on display.

The highlight of the day was the Annual Chili Contest. Pictured above (L to R) Gale Morrison, Apalachin Library; Mary Ann Cascarino and Tony Quaranta, Apalachin Dire Department; and Rev. Beckie Sweet, Apalachin United Methodist Church judge the entries to this year's contest.

This year, the contest for the BEST CHILI in Town resulted in a tie for first place between Don Davis of Don Davis Meats and Deli and Fred J. Brown of the Community Press. (Since this paper is not planning to go into the restaurant business, you will have to go to Don Davis Meats and Deli to sample the Best Chili In Town.)

Second place went to Pam Babuka of the new "Chat-A-Wyle" restaurant on Route 434 by Tioga Terrace.

Third place also resulted in a tie between "FJ" Brown, 16, of Apalachin, and Pat Mitchell's Ice Cream at the train station owned by Dave Dzuba.

Center photo: Mary Ann Cascarino gives a demonstration of proper safety restraint to stabilize a patient before transport.

Bottom photo: Joel Cacciaglia checks out one of the fire trucks during open house.