MONDAY - September 11, 2006

Down East Regional and Maine State cookoffs - Audrey Falkowski

As they say in New England, if you don’t like the weather, wait 5 minutes. Saturday in was warm and sunny, although a bit breezy in the afternoon. A perfect day for the Down East Regional chili cookoff at Wells Harbor Community Park in southern Maine. This was the 8^th annual “Chilifest” and the crowds came out for some good chili. The expected storms held off until we were back in our hotel rooms enjoying some drinks and swapping stories. The rain was due to a cold front that came in and most cooks were wearing sweatshirts on Sunday morning. The temperature in the 60’s didn’t keep the crowds away and the Maine State cookoff on Sunday was just as successful as ever. Cooks came from all over the country to try to win a spot in Omaha. Chief Judge Joe Harvey did a great job in the judging tent.

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Down East Regional results:

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Salsa

3^rd place – Linda Philcrantz NH

2^nd place – Rich Omerza PA

1^st place – Don Oullette NH

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Chili Verde

3^rd place – Dick Dowling CT

2^nd place – Ron Dahlgren FL

1^st place – Kim Eckley MD

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Red Chili

3^rd place – Ron Dahlgren FL

2^nd place – Mike Freedman CT

1^st place – Wes Carlson IL

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Kim and Wes both make their hat tricks!

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Maine State results:

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Salsa

3^rd place – Chuck Hoff OH

2^nd place – Rich Omerza PA

1^st place – Ronda Monroe ME

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Chili Verde

3^rd place – Dick Dowling CT

2^nd place – Jenny Windsor MD

1^st place – Ron Dahlgren FL

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Red Chili

3^rd place – Jenny Windsor MD

2^nd place - Ron Dahlgren FL

1^st place – Mike Freedman CT

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After being a “bridesmaid” for so long, Mike finally made it to the Worlds.

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Once again the chili world has lost a great cook. On Monday, September 4, Jim McDermott passed away in Florida. Jim was fun loving, warm and one of the nicest people on the chili circuit. His great friend, Ron Dahlgren and his stepson Rich Omerza were at the cookoffs this weekend and we dedicated these cookoffs to Jim. Our condolences go out to all of Jim’s family. He will be greatly missed.

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Doug Makin Memorial Canadian Championship - Joy Bilozir

It was a lovely day in Calgary for a chili cookoff. The First Annual Doug Makin Memorial Canadian Championship Cookoff was held at Harvest Hills Boston Pizza and was very well organized. We had 7 cooks for red only. Sherrill Makin and her sister Pat had a lovely breakfast for all the participants. They had also organized a raffle with some really great prizes.
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3rd Place Joy Bilozir 11 points
2nd Place Ralph Wilkinson 12 points
1st Place Randy Bilozir 13 points (this completes Randy's hat trick)
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Thanks - Joy

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TOWN OF SUPERIOR/COLORADO DISTRICT 09/09/06 - Kathy Plager

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SALSA

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3RD PLACE STEPHEN TOMASEK IV

2ND PLACE LISA SCOTT (LOST TIE BREAKER)

1ST PLACE DOLAN LOKEY

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CHILI VERDE

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HM GEORGE LOTT

3RD PLACE CHUCK BURDICK

2ND PLACE HANK WEDEMEYER (LOST TIE BREAKER)

1ST PLACE NOLAN CORDOVA

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RED CHILI

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3RD PLACE STEPHEN TOMASEK IV

2ND PLACE LETA BOND

1ST PLACE CHUCK BURDICK

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WCCC Golf Tournament - Paul Whitney

We have twelve folks signed up for the tournament so far. Still have not heard from regulars like Sonny Allen, Ron Michel and Gerry Lind. Please let me know soon if you you are planning on participating this year. It's a great course and a lot of fun. Email me at GolfNChili@aol.com or call 928-526-4314. Look forward to seeing you out there!

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“BAJA REGIONAL” COOKOFF ON SEPTEMBER 16

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Head south of the border for Mexican Independence Day and J.D. Hussong’s 30th Annual Baja Regional Chili Cookoff on Saturday, September 16, 2006 at Quintas Papagayo Resort in Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico (70 miles south of San Diego, CA). There are some great cash prizes for ICS Red Chili: $700 dlls. for First Place; $200 for Second; $100 for Third. The winner advances to the 2006 ICS World Championship.

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Red Chili Entry Fee for ICS members is $30 plus minimum one gallon of People's Choice handout chili containing beans or pasta. We provide canopy, table and chair; you provide cooking stove (no electricity available), utensils, small sampling cups for People's Choice, and any signs or decorations for your cooking area.

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Once again we will be holding our Salsa Contest. If we have the requisite 7 ICS members competing, it will be an "Official ICS Salsa Contest." ICS members who are cooking chili may compete for FREE in the Salsa Contest (one free entry per team that competes in chili). Since most cooks do not pre-register, we will not be able to inform you whether the Salsa Contest is "ICS Official" or not until registration is completed prior to judging. But whether or not it is "ICS official," there will be trophies. One cup of vegetable/traditional salsa and one cup of fruit salsa is required for the Salsa Contest.

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There will also be “Open” Red Chili and Salsa Contests for non-ICS members. Entry fees are the same as for ICS members. Cash prizes for “Open” Red Chili are: $250 dlls. for First Place; $100 for Second; $50 for Third. In case you have friends who are not ICS members but want an opportunity to compete for cash prizes, this is their chance!

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Since Pancho McNiff has a previous commitment, Ken Merritt will be our ICS Coordinator this year. His U.S. tel. is (949) 857-4248. For ICS, Open or Salsa Contest registration forms by email, contact Quintas Papagayo at papagayo@prodigy.net.mx If you would like to judge chili, please advise Ken by phone and/or Connie Ellig by e-mail: connie@ensenadagazette.com

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For room reservations, contact Quintas Papagayo at (011-52-646) 174-4575 or (011-52-646) 174-4980; e-mail: papagayo@prodigy.net.mx

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For cook's schedule or more information, visit the J.D. Hussong Baja International Chili Cookoff web site www.hussongs.com/chilicookoff.html To read the press release, visit http://www.ensenadagazette.com/hussongchili06.html

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We look forward to seeing you in Ensenada. It will be a great Cookoff and a memorable fiesta! Viva México!

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Connie Ellig

Public Relations Director

J.D. Hussong Baja International Chili Cookoff on Sept. 16, 2006

E-mail: connie@ensenadagazette.com

Ensenada tel/fax (011-52-646) 176-4159

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