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Pie contest tasty event at Bowen Center for the Arts
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pie contest

The Bowen Center for the Arts was the sweetest place to be Saturday as it hosted its inaugural Mrs. Santas Pie Contest.

Approximately 24 sweet or savory pies were baked and delivered to the center to be judged by a panel of local pie-eating experts: Mayor James Grogan, Rotary and Dawson County Arts Council board members Doug Powell and Warren King, Dahlonegas Chestatee artist Paul Schiemer, and Rotarian and Dawson News & Advertiser Editor Kimberly Boim.

I had the idea to do this, and everyone on the board thought it was great, said Bowen Center for the Arts Director Ginny Greenwood. Were a small town, and its so fun to do old-fashioned activities. It just fits in with who we are.

The judging panel enjoyed tomato and spinach quiche, apple pie with homemade cinnamon ice cream, pear and cranberry pie, pumpkin pie, chocolate pecan carmel, sour cream raisin pie, and other treats.

This is fun, fun, fun, Dahlonega resident Sue Cisson said. Its a beautiful arts center, and we didnt even know it was here.

Theresa and Troy Lindsey enjoyed the pies and the vendors at the holiday shop.

I tasted most of the pies, but the ones I really liked the best were the quiche and the pie my wife made, Troy said with a wide grin. Im excited about what the art center does for the community. I think its wonderful we have a place like this. Its a real plus.

First place in the dessert category went to Jackie Somerville for her blue ribbon apple pie; second place went to Nancy King for a pear-cranberry pie, and third place to Pat Cavanaugh for a caramel chocolate pecan pie.

In the savory category, first place was awarded to Director Ginny Greenwood for her tomato-bacon quiche; second place to Liz Thornloe for a butternut squash pecan pie, and third place to Regina Varnado for a crawfish pie.

Prizes from Pampered Chef included ceramic, deep-dish pie plates, steel loaf pan and silicon oven mitt for first and second places. And serving spatulas and confectioneries from Paul Thomas Chocolatier of Dahlonega were given to all.

We plan to do this again next year and make it even bigger and better, Greenwood said.

Pies were available for purchase as a fundraiser for the center. And a $10 donation allowed visitors to taste five pies of their choice.