Huntley Rotary Members Have a Hot Time at LITH Rockin' Ribfest

Huntley Rotary Club member Jim Vaccaro had the tough job Friday of standing next to a roaster that reaches 500 degrees, and handling the hot corn on the cob in the 103-degree weather.

The temperature coupled with the heat radiating from the roaster made it even hotter for Vaccaro, who was still enjoying himself at the Lake in the Hills Rotary Club’s Rockin’ Ribfest.

“You get use to it,” he said, adding, “not really,” laughing.

“I’m glad we have the lemonade guy next to us,” he said.

Vaccaro was the guy handling the roasting for the club as members and volunteers sold corn on the cob. The annual fundraiser helps pay for club’s charitable efforts in the community, including purchasing dictionaries for school children.

“I’m the nut behind the wheel but the wheels has a lot of spokes,” he said, crediting the volunteers who worked passing out the corn.

The Rotary Club goes sells hundreds of corn on the cob and goes through 80 pounds of butter, said Rotary member Jean Hernandez.

But there’s a secret ingredient that makes the corn a big seller at Ribfest, Hernandez said.

“It’s a seasoning everyone remembers from last year, it’s a big draw,” she said.

The “Slap Ya Mama” seasoning is Vaccaro’s special touch. He picks up bottles during his visits to New Orleans, La.,

“Slap Ya Mama” is Cajun seasoning that adds a little kick to the corn, he said.