Pies for the Pool

WAITSBURG – About a half dozen people turned out for the organizational meeting of Friends of the Waitsburg Pool, which they hope will become part of the Rural Youth Enrichment Services 501c3, earlier this month. The group nailed down their priorities and immediately began work on their first fundraiser, a pie baking contest, to be judged at Waitsburg's Fall Festival on Sun., Sept. 20.

The Friends agreed that their first priority is meeting the needs of children, followed by providing funding and/or scholarships to help lifeguards with certification fees. Additional funds will be used toward pool maintenance, repairs and upgrades, according to organizer Kate Hockersmith.

The group wasted no time in organizing their first fundraiser, a Pie-Oneer Fall Festival Invitational Pie Baking Contest.

"There are some really amazing pie bakers in this town; they may just not know that they're that good. We want to highlight the tremendous amount of talent we have here in Waitsburg," said contest organizer Karen Gregutt.

To do so, a panel of expert judges has agreed to judge the bake-off. Judges include professional pastry chef Valerie Mudry of Waitsburg's Whoopemup Café and executive director of Walla Walla Community College's culinary arts program, Dan Thiessen. "They know a good pie when they taste one," Gregutt said.

The third judge will be "Waitsburg Pie Expert" Jack McCaw, whose late wife Laurette was well-known as an accomplished pie baker. Gregutt said this honorary position will be auctioned off for next year.

The contest is open to bakers of all ages with prizes in three categories: Under 12, ages 12-18, and 19 and above. Contestants will bake two identical pies; one for judging and one for sale. Health department guidelines require that pies be fruit-only, and contain no dairy or eggs in the filling. Both the filling and crust must be homemade.

Pies will be judged on appearance, taste and creativity. Ribbons will be awarded in each category and one pie will receive the coveted "Best of Pie" award. Registration forms may be picked up at Waitburg City Hall and Waitsburg Hardware Store and must be turned in by Friday, Sept. 18.

Fall festival attendees will be able to purchase bites or slices of pie and whole pies will be sold in a silent auction. Judging will be completed prior to the end of the auction and ribbons will be placed next to winning pies before the bidding is closed.

Gregutt said she hopes many bakers will join the competition and looks forward to the contest becoming an annual Pioneer Fall Festival event.

"We want this invitational event to be something people can truly feel proud of if they win," she said.