Hiawatha Behavioral Health held its 5th Annual United Way "SOUP-er Throwdown" - a twist on its yearly Chili Cooking Contest.  The cook-off was held in Sault Ste. Marie on Thursday March 12, 2015.  The competition raised $230.00 for the United Way of the EUP.  So far this year, HBH has raised a total of $1,298.00, including the donations from the "SOUP-er" Throwdown, to support the United Way's 2014 campaign.. 

Each department entered a recipe of either soup or chili to be tasted by a group of guest judges.  Judges included community members, law enforcement, HBH board members and medical personnel from War Memorial Hospital's Behavioral Health Center. 

The panel of judges that helped determine the winning recipes

The judges' taste buds were tantalized by 5 different soups.  The winning soup was "Mexican Fiesta," which was cooked by the Children's/Outpatient and St. Ignace team.  Following close behind in judges' votes was the DD/Connections team, "Bacon" Your Day Better, with a Bacon Cheeseburger Soup. 

The "Soup-er" Stars, which consisted of SMI/ACT departments, presented a Beef Barley Soup.  Crisis, Nursing and Behavioral Supports Departments made up team Unlucky Turkey Soup.  "Mardi Gras Tortellini" was presented by A Taste of Mardi Gras, which was a team comprised of IT, Admin, Clerical and Business Departments. 

Other awards included People's Choice and Best of Show (Decorated Booth).  Both awards were won by A Taste of Mardi Gras.  

Judges carefully sample some of the entries

Thank you to Hiawatha Behavioral Health for Supporting the United Way, all the teams that donated their time and creativity and to the judges for donating their time and taste buds to the event.  Judges included HBH Board Members Jim Moore, Dr. John Shoberg and Ron Meister; representatives from the Michigan State Police, Cammi Yeck and Trooper Ailene Bitnar; Bob Marchand, Sault Tribal Police Chief; Mike Whitney, Sault Ste. Marie City Police Captain; Dr. Paul Sorgi and Jessica Jannetta of War Memorial Hospital Behavioral Health Center; Tracey Laitenen of the United Way; and community member Jenny Killips. 

Janet Hess, a Sault resident and Creative Memories Consultant, hosted a three-day Scrapbooking  & Beyond retreat on Lake Superior State University's campus, March 6th - 8th.  In the past Mrs. Hess has donated funds to help the community and this year she chose to benefit the United Way of the Eastern Upper Peninsula. From 8am to midnight each day attendees were able to set-up space to work on scrapbooking projects, make cards and other crafts, peruse items from a variety of vendors as well as socialize and share ideas with fellow scrap bookers.

Vendors in attendance with products and prizes included Janet Hess with Creative Memories, Amanda Ross with Thirty-One products, Stefy Gomes with Stampin' Up, Erica Anderson with Close to My Heart, Amanda Ross with Magnabilities Jewelry, and massage therapist Susan Gambino. Over the course of the weekend scrap bookers worked on projects, participated in a silent auction, enjoyed snacks and lunch by LSSU catering, and participated in several contests for prizes.  Forty scrap bookers took part in the retreat helping raise over $1,500 for United Way.

A huge thank you to all the vendors that participated, all the scrap bookers and crafters that came out to get a jump on spring projects and a big thank you to Laker Superior State University for being very accommodating and helpful.  Janet noted, "The Staff at LSSU's Cisler Center did a great job of helping us throughout the weekend.  They helped make the event a success."

Plans for next year's Scrapbooking and Beyond Retreat are already in the works for March 4th through 6th of 2016.