By Sabrina Banes
Staff Writer
September 26, 2005
Firefighters from across town gathered in Glenville yesterday, clad in shorts and t-shirts and ready to make a mess of themselves at an outdoor version of Kitchen Stadium.
The cook-off was one of the events held in conjunction with Volunteer Firefighter Week, which begins Oct. 2.
Tom Greco borrowed an old Byram Volunteer Fire Department recipe and represented them on their behalf.
As for his talent with ribs?
"I'm Italian. I don't cook ribs," he said.
Phil Schlacter of the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Department took a more serious approach with a giant smoker.
"We're the only people here whose smoker has a license plate," he said.
In the end, Richard Neuman of the Amogerone Volunteer Fire Company won first prize for the second straight year. His platter of ribs adorned by a yellow bell pepper stuffed with dipping sauce caught the judges' eyes right away.
Bill Miskimen, also of Amogerone, took a close second with his chewy glazed ribs, and Bob Lucas of Cos Cob Volunteer Fire Company came in third.
Fire Chief Sanford Anderson said that in his first few months on the job, he has been impressed with the town's 140 volunteer and 100 career firefighters.
"I see how efficient they are," he said. "And I'm very proud of the group of us down here."
Before the cook-off, firefighters attended an early-morning flag-raising at Town Hall, then met again outside the Central Fire Station and marched to the department's memorial bell at the Mason Street traffic circle.
During the department's annual memorial service, firefighters gave thanks that none of their own had died in the last year, and also observed a moment of silence for American soldiers in Iraq and hurricane victims down South.
In an address to the firefighters assembled at the Mason Street traffic circle, Fire Department Chaplain Dan Hickman prayed for continued protection of Greenwich's emergency responders, then praised the men and women before him.
"I salute you for what you are doing for the town of Greenwich through your spirits," Hickman said as the bell on a Glenville fire engine rang out.
The three events were held in conjunction with Volunteer Firefighter Week, which begins Oct. 2.
Jerry Cotrone, president of the Greenwich Volunteer Firefighters Association, said the fire companies around town will host open houses between Oct. 2 and Oct. 8.
Copyright © 2005, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.