STOCKTON – A crowd of hundreds descended on the Old Schoolyard Park Saturday afternoon for the Stockton Civic Club’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

The culinary brave were greeted with a wide variety of dishes made from turkey, deer and boar during the 11th annual Wild Game Cook-Off. For those whose taste buds were no as daring, there was also more traditional fare.

Jerry Godwin’s Mild Deer Chili took home the prize for first place. The Triple Game Jambalaya from Ruth Sheryl was the runner-up.

After the winners were announced, the live auction began to continue the evening. There was also a bake sale offering tasty cookies, cakes and pies.

The day’s activities raised money which will be used to make improvements to the park.

“Some of the funds will go to improve the walking trail,” said club member Gary Riley. “We want to put in health and exercise stations along the trail, to make it a health trail.

“The other thing is the children’s swings. That is the most used area of the park and you have to maintain it on a regular basis to make sure it is safe.”

Past proceeds helped build the Stockton Community Center. That facility is rented out for family reunions, birthday parties and meetings. Local residents are reminded that the civic club sponsors a free blood pressure clinic at the community center on each Wednesday morning from 9-11 a.m. On the third Wednesday of each month, nurses are on hand to do free blood sugar and cholesterol screenings.

Those interested in joining the Civic Club or renewing their membership should send their checks to Stockton Civic Club Inc., P.O. Box 637, Stockton, AL 36579.  Individual Membership is $7.50, or $15 per couple.