Special to the PVT Alice Eychaner, a member of the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce and this year's grand marshal for the Chili Cook-Off happening Saturday, poses in a chili pepper costume. Look for her at the event which begins at 10 a.m. in Petrack Park. Advertisement

The Silver State Regional Chili Cook-Off is an annual event here and it is always sponsored by the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Volunteers who donate their time, effort and ideas are important to the success of this -- or any -- community event and this year's grand marshal has been volunteering with the chamber in every corner, of every major event since 1999.

Alice Estelle Eychaner moved here from Missouri, bringing with her a bachelor of science and a masters degree in speech and hearing.

Having retired after 30 years as a speech pathologist, Eychaner, not accustomed to idleness, found the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce needed her and was excited to have her involved with many of the community events it sponsors.

She was a volunteer for the Fat Tire Festival in 1999 and 2000 and has been involved with the Baker to Vegas Police Challenge Cup race for the last nine years.

Eychaner was the chairman of that event for the Pahrump leg of the race.

She has also chaired the Chamber of Commerce Regatta 2002-07 and she always works the ICS-sanctioned Chili Cook-Off.

Eychaner has been involved with functions sponsored by the United Way since 2000 and in 2002, they presented her with the Outstanding Community Service award.

Other events get a piece of Eychaner, too. The St. Patrick's Day celebration, Cinco de Mayo, Lula, Octoberfest. and Cheers for Volunteers have all depended on her in years past.

She somehow finds the time to become involved in some local politics as well. Judge Robert Lane and Rod Sherer have both utilized her talents in their election campaigns.

Eychaner was awarded the Ms. Senior Golden Years Courage award in 2005.

At present, she is a member of the Pahrump Valley Tourism Advisory Board, California Retired Teacher's Association, Lady of the Moose Pahrump Chapter and the Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce.

She has gone above and beyond the call to community duty and the chamber is proud to have her as grand marshal for this year's Chili-Cook-Off.

There have been a few changes to the event agenda.

The Civil War Re-enactment will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Petrack Park instead of the Calvada Eye.

The Nye County Sheriff's Office is going to be there, too, offering fingerprinting for children.

The Silver State Regional Chili Cook-off starts at 10 a.m., Saturday, in Petrack Park, corner of Basin Road and Highway 160.

Call 727-5800 for more information.