The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

t represents one of the reasons I love small-town living. The tradition has continued for 68 years! Once again, the Fireman's Chili Feed was well attended. Such a wonderful community event. It isn't just a one-day event. The week starts on Monday because although we don't call it Homecoming it is. There is spirit week all week with Monday being Pajama Day, Tuesday being Cowboy or Cowgirl, Wednesday being Favorite Decade, Thursday being Favorite Sports Team, and Friday being Purple and Gold. The grade schoolers have a parade showing each of their classroom floats on Friday at noon. They walk from the grade school to the high school with the Pioneer Band and Pioneer football team joining them. A Pep rally follows!

Immediately after that is Punt, Pass, and Kick which has been happening for 19 years! This has been sponsored by Rotary. Rich Roth said, "But then we always get all the football kids to come out and help. The kids really look up to the football players. So, it's kind of nice to have them out doing that. And then obviously, the parents of the kids are really helpful and come out and like help too. That is why it is a good success." Rich went on to say, "Yes, I'm probably doing it till I die. We started it with Rotary, but it was also part of the NFL--Get Active. When that kind of discontinued Rotary took it over and so now it's just a fun thing."

Before the fire alarm rings at four the firemen go over to the Senior Medical Center and earlier that week firemen go to the grade school. They start serving hamburgers and chili when the alarm rings at 4:00, and for the rest of the night, the fire trucks carry children and adults all over town until the Football game starts at 7:00.

The retiring Fire Chief, Larry Ophus, has stepped down after 30 years of service. Imagine serving in this role for 30 years along with his wife Verla. He must feel he has been a part of something especially rewarding. Thank you! You were a part of something incredible. He's not stepping down from the fire department, just the Fire Chief.

Big Sandy has a new Fire Chief, Tim Bahnmiller. Tim joined the Fire Department in 1990. As the fire chief, he would like to see more training. Wants everyone to be better prepared. Tim said, "We have a very dedicated and good crew in the fire department, especially the ambulance crew. We do have a dedicated, very dedicated crew on the ambulance."

Fundraisers are important because as Tim mentioned, "It's just like any other business our expenses have gone up." They have a constant supply need. "We have a roof that's leaking that we're trying to raise funds for so we can get that fixed."

"We're a very lucky community. We have a community hall. It belongs to everybody. So having a chili feed here is wonderful.

Everyone looks to support the chili feed. People come home for the chili event! It's fun to see who all comes home.

Tim went on to thank Larry and Verla Ophus for serving our community for 30 years. And he wanted people in our community to know how their continuous support is deeply appreciated.