Wawasee Kiwanis Soup Supper A Success

A crowd of about 150 turned out on a cold, rainy Friday to participate in the Wawasee Kiwanis Soup Supper. Proceeds from the event benefit Kiwanis projects. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews
SYRACUSE — It was prefect soup weather, cold and rainy, as the Wawasee Kiwanis Club kicked off its annual Soup Supper at the Syracuse Community Center Friday night, Jan. 31.The Soup Supper is a winter carnival tradition,held the Friday night before the snow mobilie drags on Saturday.
While Mother Nature has thrown a monkey wrench in whether the snowmobile drags can be held, the last time was 2015, the Soup Supper has continued. About 150 people turned out to try and vote on 20 different soups in four different categories.There was also a contest on who was wearing the best apron.
Each entrant could have a representative there to serve or Kiwanis and Key Club members stepped in to assist. Key Club is Kiwanis Club for high school students.
The winners were: In the restaurant category: first place, Oakwood Pier & Back Porch, for its loaded potato soup; second place, Channel Marker for its clam chowder; and third place, ManCave Brewing Co. for its clam chowder.
In the nonprofit category: first place went to Kosciusko Community Recovery Program for its taco soup; second place went to Quaker Haven, which had two entries; and third place went to the Turkey Creek Fire Territory for its cheeseburger soup, which included a selection of toppings tasters could add such as bacon bits, green onion and more cheese.
In the business category: first place went to KeyBank for Amy Rensberger’s chicken chili. Second place went to Jeremy Doerr, Re/Max who served Dick Doerr’s chili.Third place went to Rita Davis, Re/Max for her chicken potato bacon soup.
In the individual category Ken Oswald came in first with his beef soup; second place was Jaxon Coy with his Tuscan soup and third place went to Eric and Lori Wienholtz for their ham, broccoli and cheese soup.
Rensberger took the prize for overall best soup and Doerr won for best apron. Proceeds from the event will benefit Wawasee Kiwanis projects.
- Ken Oswald, left, accepts the award for best individual soup from Jennifer Wilkinson during the Wawasee Kiwanis Club’s annual Soup Supper held Friday, Jan. 31. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.
- Ken Oswald, chair of the Kiwanis Soup Supper, presents the first place Business Award to Amy Rensberger of KeyBank. She was also the overall winner with her chicken chili.
- Ken Oswald, left,presents the nonprofit award to representatives of Kosciusko Community Recovery Program. From left are Sheriff Jim Smith, Shanna Wallen and Chris McKeand.
- Ken Owald presented the best restaurant award to Sully Moore, a Kiwanis volunteer, who served loaded potato soup from Oakwood Pier & Back Porch which won the category.
- Jeremy Doerr shows off his winning apron as he comes forward to accept his award for best apron.
- Robert Rensberger carefully considers his decision as he fills out his ballot during the Kiwanis Soup Supper. This is one of Rensberger’s favorite Kiwanis events.
- Callahan Wolferman, 1, enjoys a bite of soup from his grandmother, Sherry Coy.
- Key Club members Jaxon Brown, left, and Issac Miller serve Penny Plikerd Italian Wedding Soup from South Shore Social.
- Lori and Eric Wienholtz serve up their broccoli, ham and cheese soup. The couple moved to Syracuse about a year ago.
- Jacklyn Trowbridge, Sophie Hunter, Lily Douglas and Sophia Coday were on hand to serve cheeseburger soup, for the Turkey Creek Fire Territory. Those enjoying a sample could add bacon, green onion or extra cheese to their cup.