Sept. 11 — ALTAMONT — A few afternoon showers didn’t dampen the excitement of the Altamont Lutheran School afternoon barbecue fundraiser at the Effingham County Fairgrounds.
“We had a decent turnout today,” Pastor Marcus Manley said. “The rain made it a bit difficult but it didn’t stop people. The kids were still playing even though the rain was coming down.”
Bounce houses and carnival games such as ring toss, miniature golf, duck pond and balloon popping were available for children to enjoy.
Manley is pastor of two of the four churches that make up the Interparochial Lutheran School of Altamont. Manley is pastor of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and Zion Lutheran Church. The other parishes are Blue Point Lutheran Church and Immanuel Lutheran Church of Altamont.
“The meat is even better than last year,” Manley said. “I tried last year and this year.”
Seven barbecue teams competed in three categories: People’s Choice, Best Brosket and Mill Pulled Pork.
Mike Bowman, an elder at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Altamont and a member of the BBQ Fundraising Committee, said the People’s Choice award was based on how much money each team raised for a tasting.
The teams were able to make a variation of the food selections to offer to potential donors.
“People could come by and get a sample and vote for a dollar,” Bowman said. “Whoever has the most dollars is the people’s choice.”
He said the barbecue fundraiser, now in its second year, is a real boost for the school.
“Last year we had $25,000 in donations for the school,” Bowman said.
“People have been very kind.”
He said with all the things going on in the country that limit beliefs, Altamont Interparochial Lutheran School is in a unique position.
“Our Interparochial school is where we can still pray and sing the national anthem, where other schools can’t. We just want to keep it that way,” he said.
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The Bowman Brothers BBQ Team, consisting of Clint Bowman and Derek Bowman of Altamont, competed in the fundraiser for the second year.
Both were hoping to achieve high praise as they did last year.
“Last year we got first place pulled pork and second place,” Clint Bowman said.
“We’re here to have fun and raise money,” Derek Bowman said. “We’ve always cooked barbecue at home over the years, but not in competition.”
Kevin Hoffmeister and Chad Ingram of the Effingham BBQ team were cutting meat in preparation for judging.
“This is our first year,” Hoffmeister said.
Charles Mills can be reached at charles.mills@effinghamdailynews.com or
by phone at 618-510-9226 or 217-347-7151 ext. 300126.
