For almost 15 years the Towson Benevolent Protective Order of Elks has held an annual “Chili Cook-off Contest.” This year, more than 20 entries endured the palatal scrutiny of some of Baltimore County’s judiciary along with sharp-tongued emcee Mike “Leno” Lawlor.

“I see we have quite a few notables in attendance this year,” Lawlor said. “There’s Jack “Digger” Mitchell [of Mitchell Wiedefeld Funeral Home]. To which “Digger” responded: “Not to worry, I have a hearse waiting outside in case some of the chili is lethal.”

After many rounds of tasting, Judges Thomas Bollinger, William Buchanan, A. Gordon Boone Jr., Mawrice Baldwin, John G. Turnbull and G. Darryl Russell, along with Masters James Farmer and Richard McAllister, came to the verdict: The big bean winner was Todd Huff of Brooks-Huff Tire and Auto Centers.

After the judges were done deliberating, the gang, which included Capt. Mike Perry, chopper pilot for WJZ-TV, lawyer Leon Berg and brothers Frank and David Meeder among others, feasted on all the chili entries. The B.P.O.E. supports many community programs, such as drug education, scholarships, veteran services and youth activities.

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The American Visionary Arts Museum recently held “An Evening of Style,” which featured the latest winner of “America’s Next Top Model” — Saleisha Stowers. The event was thrown by local magazines Style and PaperDoll, and among the guests were Style editor Brain Michael Lawrence, Lisa Shenkle of Verb Communications and Alter Communications CEO Andrew Buerger and his staff of Colleen McKenna, Cindy Plackmeyer, Jack Ross and Karen Newell.

Anne Boone-Simanski is the social columnist for The Examiner and can be reached at absss@baltimoreexaminer.com or 410-878-6131.