When pigs fly

Donny Wood may not win any awards for his barbeque at the first annual Flying Pigs BBQ Cookoff today and Saturday in Gray.

But he could be awarded a medal for being the “most grateful.’’

It has been four years since Wood, 49, has felt well enough to cook in competition. He has been battling cancer since 2000. It has now gone into remission.

“I have dearly missed it,’’ he said. “It will be good to get back.’’

“It will be great to have him back,’’ said his long-time friend, Jerry Ward Sr.

Wood started cooking with some friends about 10 years ago and got hooked. He helped build a small, homemade cooker out of pipe. Of course, he had a little experience with pipes. He was a long-time plumber with Pyles Plumbing in Macon.

Their first competition was at the Big Pig Jig in Vienna, considered the state championship of Georgia.

“We learned a lot,’’ he said.

Wood and his buddies did well enough in other competitions to qualify for the Memphis in May competition in Memphis. It is the World Series of barbecuing.

His health problems have forced him to the sidelines for the past four years. The long hair that once fell across his shoulders and onto his back, is gone -- the victim of his chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

His friends won a trophy at the Pig Jig and dedicated it to him. They put new tires on the trailer of his cooker and painted it.

About three dozen teams will compete in the cookoff. It will be held at the fairgrounds in Gray. There is no admission charge.

The event is being held by the Jones Area Council of Relief. It is community-wide emergency assistance program that provides a ministry, counseling, food, clothing and financial aid in the community.

For more information, call 986-0936.