Season, sizzle and steam

RITZVILLE – The Lions Club cooked 250 half-chickens at their annual BBQ July 24.

Killing two birds with one stone, the event raises funds for the club while feeding hungry farmers a noon meal during the busy harvest season.

The Ritzville Lions' Club had members on scene at the fairgrounds by 5:45 to get the grill going.

The birds were barbequing by 7 a.m., over volcanic rock heated by propane. Flames flashed, lit up by dripping chicken fat; while steam rose, generated by Aaron Esser misting water over the rocks. The first of the birds were ready by 11 a.m. John Kragt deemed them worthy to come off the grill with an electronic thermometer, and Kevin Terris stored them in a heated steamer connected to the grill, where they awaited their fate as the guest of honor on a hungry farmer's plate.

"Judy Watkins and her friend Zoe cleaned the chickens this morning. They did a great job," Bruce Benzel said.

"They got us way ahead," Dale Anderson agreed.

Benzel said the club sold about 160 chickens last year.

"We've had a lot of interest this year. It's been very popular," Benzel said. "The farmers enjoy it."

The Ritzville Lions Club has nearly 60 members, about half of whom are active.

"This is our second grill, the first one finally wore out after years of use," Mike Klein said, adding several club members built the new one a few years ago.

Barbecue sauce, a non-essential item in this case, was nowhere to be found.

"They're perfectly seasoned," said Dan Blankenship as he loaded a fresh batch of birds on the grill. Permeated with a smoky flavor, the finished delicacy was tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. At $8 each, the poultry was a steal.

Jim Leffel said most of the funds raised go to upkeep and utilities at the American Legion Post, which the Lions Club is in charge of maintaining.

"We've done some projects over the years, but the cost of maintaining the building uses up most of the funds we raise," Leffel said.

The Lions Club will be missing out on four days of BBQ sales this year, with the cancellation of the Wheat Land Communities Fair.

"We'll probably be doing this again a few times this summer, since we can't do the fair," Leffel said. "Watch for updates."

It's definitely a meal not to be missed.