Community Corner

Pine Lake Park Clubhouse Celebrates 85th Birthday with Cook-Off Fundraiser

Organizers estimate over 100 locals came out for chili cook-off and carnival

Locals braved the heat to sample some chili at one of Manchester's oldest buildings on Sunday in celebration of the Pine Lake Park Clubhouse's 85th birthday. 

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the last historical building left in Manchester," said Grace Peck, the president of the Pine Lake Park Taxpayers' Association, the nonprofit group that manages the clubhouse. 

Peck, who has been with the association for 15 years — the last six as its president — said that fundraisers like this are held to maintain and restore the building, which was constructed in the late-1920s.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It grows every year," she said. "This year has surpassed previous years. It's crazy in the kitchen."

About 20 volunteers were on-hand, both from the association as well as Boy Scout Pack 425, which meets at the clubhouse each week when school is in session.

Find out what's happening in Manchesterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"It's all volunteer work," Peck said. "[The scouts] do anything we ask them to do. They're a great bunch of guys and we're very thankful for what they do," Peck said.

Carnival games were homemade, which saved on cost, Peck said. The water slide was and ponies were donated, leaving the association only to pay for attraction attendants. 

"It's a nice, small town family event," said clubhouse secretary Jeanette Liput, who estimated that over 100 locals showed up to the event.

Pine Lake Park band RGB — short for Ray's Garage Band — performed for the crowd as guests browsed vendor stands, played carnival games and ate food off the grill.

Having recently moved to Pine Lake Park from Lakewood, Ernestine Hines and her husband sampled chili while their two grandchildren took a pony ride.

"It's our first time in the community," Hines said. "It's a beautiful community. There's a lot for the children to do."

Seven locals entered chili in the cook-off, including Mike Borris, a life-long Pine Lake Park resident whose "green chili" took the top spot.

"Everybody else is tomato-based. Mine is made with fresh roasted pepper," he said. "It's different."

Borris recalled attending summer camp at the clubhouse and said he is always willing to support the historical site.

"It's local and you have to maintain some sort of continuity from one generation to the next," he said.

The Taxpayers' Association typically hosts eight to 10 fundraising events, including Halloween, Easter and Christmas celebrations, Peck said. Memberships and clubhouse rentals also help to support the organization.

More information about the clubhouse is available through the organization's website.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here