Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Despite living in nearby Freeport, Shawn Sabel, owner of The Irish Pub, has a deep connection to the Baldwin community because of his business ties.
So when community members complained on a Baldwin Facebook group page about the lack of Christmas decorations in the hamlet during the past holiday season, he determined that the proceeds from the pub’s planned Feb. 2 Chili Cook-Off would go toward funding lights for this upcoming season.
“We do the cook-off every year and always try to do it for someone or something to give back to the community,” Sabel said. “This year, there was an outcry of people not satisfied with lights, so I saw that and said, ‘Alright, this is something I’m going to do.’”
The annual cook-off dates back to 2019, when the Baldwin Rotary Club created and sponsored the event, but the club was disbanded the following year during the pandemic.
Susan and Samantha Cools — mother and daughter duo —of Compass Realty brought back the Chilli Cook-Off in 2021 and have since partnered with The Irish Pub to sponsor it.
As of press time, seven chili-cooking teams have signed up for the event, which is free to enter, but the number is expected to soar into double digits as the cook-off nears. Those participating in the cook-off will have the chance to win a $200 cash prize and be crowned “Best Chili in Town!”
As for the taste-testers, tickets are $20, which includes unlimited samples and one free drink.
In reaction to criticism about the lack of holiday lights, the Baldwin Chamber of Commerce responded publicly on Facebook, clarifying that the lights are not funded by local taxes, but rather through donations to the chamber.
The chamber noted that each snowflake decoration costs about $800. Additional expenses include installing outlets, using a bucket truck to hang the decorations, covering labor for bulb replacements, and storing the decorations after the season ends.
“Baldwin deserves better,” Sabel said. “We are a beautiful community, and it’s time for everyone to step up and get these lights together so we’ll be more beautiful than the other towns around us.”
Over the years, Sabel has organized other fundraising events, including one for Hangout One Happy Place, a Baldwin-based nonprofit, for which he hosted a corn hole tournament to raise money. This past holiday season, Sabel also held a Toys for Tots fundraiser, collecting toys for those in need.
“When I came here in 2018, this community accepted me in open arms,” Sabel said. “I realized really quickly how tight the community is, and it is such a multi-diverse community, and I felt at home.”
The cook-off is expected to be one of many fundraisers he will organize throughout the year, Sabel said. He also hinted at the possibility of hosting a Pub Palooza, a community event held outdoors that celebrates dogs.
