Ode to Grilled Chicken
- by Elk Rapids Rotarian Norm Veliquette
Rotary's chicken barbecue (BBQ) at Harbor Days began and continues as an outstanding community service project. The BBQ helps feed the surge of visitors who come to the festival each year. It is a modest fundraiser from which profits are reinvested in good works to benefit the community. The Village Market deserves a huge shout-out for its many generous donations of food and supplies.
Each year from the 1950s to the 1980s, Rotarians built a new BBQ pit of cement blocks. It was heavy work and the blocks were expensive. Racks to hold meat over the fire were custom-built by Rotarians at Joe Yuchasz's Northwestern Specialty Company. Clean-
up was also heavy work, as during each barbecue, heat from the fire would destroy the concrete blocks.
up was also heavy work, as during each barbecue, heat from the fire would destroy the concrete blocks.In 1989, I designed and built a steel cooker, which was easily transported to and from the grilling venue. It was used by the club for more than 30 years, but turning the racks to cook half-chickens was still heavy work.
With consumer preferences changing toward greater convenience in food choices, Rotarians elected in 2022 to offer pulled pork and pulled chicken. Elk Rapids Rotarians are appreciative of the patronage given by the community to the Rotary BBQ and all its endeavors.
Hope to see you at this year's BBQ on August 6!