Side Dish: Chili Cook-Off; Date Nights; & More

Last year’s chili cook-off at The Lark raised $8,000 for the League For Animal Protection of Huntington. This year’s will look to top that figure with 40 contestants set to show off their best stuff.

IT’S ALMOST CHILI TIME: The sixth annual chili cook-off at The Lark Pub & Grub (93 Larkfield Road, East Northport) is one month away. On Sunday, April 8, The Lark will host the contest, which this year is expected to draw 40 contestants with a wide-array of chili. Judges will award prizes for first, second and third place — and there will also be a fan favorite named. To attend the cook-off, a $10 donation is required at the door. Proceeds will go towards The League For Animal Protection of Huntington. Last year the contest raised over $8,000 — double that of the 2016 edition. Along with the chili, there will also be live music and vendors. For more info, call 631-262-9700.

DATE NIGHTS: Wednesday nights are date nights at IMC Restaurant (279 Main St., Huntington). The restaurant offers a $50 porterhouse for two, and 50-percent off bottles of wine priced over $99. Call 631-824-6222 for more info. Or if Thursdays are more your thing, check out the date night offering at Nina’s (487 Main St., Northport). There, for $59.99, couples can get one appetizer, two entrees under $20, any bottle of wine under $30, coffee and any serving of a dessert to share. Call 631-261-6822 for more info.

HUNT SOME EGGS: The Cold Spring Harbor Lions Club’s 63rd annual egg hunt is coming up soon. Kids ages 12 and under can participate in the hunt and egg races, and earn prizes, on Saturday, March 31, 10 a.m. — rain or shine. A donation of a non-perishable food item to the Huntington Food Council is requested. Email cshlions@gmail.com for more info.

STONE SOUP SUNDAY: The young members of St John’s Church and its outreach committee will sponsor the annual Stone Soup Sunday celebration with a veggie soup lunch following the 10 a.m. church service on March 11. Sunday school children and their families have provided the ingredients, and volunteers will put together soup kits that parishioners can take home. The prepared soups are then heated and served to the congregation during the luncheon. The annual project gives members of the congregation a chance to watch how a communal feast grows out of small contributions, and to experience that every gift matters. Church officials ask for a free will offering in exchange for the luncheon at the 1670 Route 25A church in Cold Spring Harbor.