Iowa Mennonite School’s longest running fundraiser is taking cues from the past while also giving it a modern spin.

Director of Advancement Jeremy Ours says the annual chili supper is traveling back in time to its first year in 1960, “Well, it all sort of started [when] one of our alumni would have stumbled upon the handwritten original recipes for the chili and the cheese sandwiches that are served that evening. So then [I] just got to thinking, let’s dig into the history of the event a little bit and sort of see how it all started.”

Ours is the sponsor for the supper this year, and has been reaching out to IMS alumni who were around for the first chili supper, gathering memories of how it began. One of which was showing Audubon Society films after the dinner, which Ours believes was a big attraction for those who may not have seen films often in 1960. IMS is putting a modern twist on the tradition by showing the BBC Planet Earth documentary films. IMS Cook Maria Boucher may be starting a new tradition, as she will be serving the Mexican soup, Pozole. This will be served along with the original recipes for the chili and cheese sandwiches. This supper is a fundraiser for the senior class, and will be served from 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday in Hillcrest Union.