MONDAY - October 30, 2006

Beatty District October 28, 2006 - Bobby Gaul

Well, fellow Chiliheads we now have a Regional in the small town of Beatty, Nevada. 25 Chiliheads showed up this past weekend to cook chili in the desert. This is the cookoff that only 3 years ago had 9 cooks. Norm and I and the Summer’s appreciate everyone coming out to support the cookoff.

Ann Marchand (Chairperson of the event) does an excellent job of putting together what is called Beatty Days. The festivities start on Friday and continue throughout the weekend with bed races, burrow flapjack races (don’t know) a bike show and car show and a whole bunch of other neat stuff.

Saturday morning started out cold, (about 46 degrees) but as the sun came up the day got progressively warmer, until we started shedding jackets and sweat shirts. I believe it ended up being in the high 70’s to low 80’s. The day ended with a potluck at Fred & Patti’s 100 year old brothel which they are refurbishing (but not as a brothel.) If you ever go through Beatty be sure to stop in to see Fred and Patti, they would love to see you. Of course the food was excellent as it always is when Chiliheads get together. Fred and Patti had a full house, all their bedrooms (of which there are many) were filled with chili cooks and judges.

The evening ended for some of us with 2 Texas Holdem tournaments, which was won by yours truly, Bobbie. First time I have played live. Well enough of the chit chat, now on to the winners.

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SALSA (10 contestants)

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3^rd Pl. Bob Wiseman

2^nd Pl. Mark Haught

1^st Pl. AnnMarie Jones

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RED CHILI (25 contestants)

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4^th Pl. Bill Ray

3^rd Pl. Bill Woodring

2^nd Pl. Don Hammes (here you go again Don)

1^st Pl. Gene Beller

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Local PC was won by Kathy Swan, and the ICS PC was won by Joseph Hendricks (a first time cook).

The weekend was capped off by an Open Dutch Oven Cookoff on Sunday, where the day started out at 36 degrees. This is not a sanctioned Dutch Oven Cookoff, but the cooking was done the way they do it all over the US. We had 9 contestants and a variety of food from beef Stew to pineapple upside down cake. The winners of this event were:

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3^rd Pl. Mark Haught (beef Stew)

2^nd Pl. Fred Summers ( pineapple upside down cake) (Norm's favorite dessert)

1^st Pl. Patti Summers (chicken and dumplings) which I can say from eating it was the best I have ever had.

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Harvest Fair Regional Cookoff 11/5/2006 - Karen Ray

The Harvest Fair in San Bernardino, CA has been named "One of the Best Cowboy Gatherings in America" by American Cowboy Magazine. On November 5th the approximately 15th or so Annual Chili Cookoff (nobody counted) will take place in conjunction with the first weekend of the Harvest Fair 2006, which is the 26th Annual. This will be the third year of the cookoff's Regional status, and it is well deserved.

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As a Sunday cookoff, this event is probably of most interest to Southern California chili cooks. However, if you are feeling adventuresome (and especially if the lore and drama of the Old West appeal to you) we are only about 20 minutes from Ontario International Airport! Participants in the Harvest Fair are in Old West costumes; exhibits and vendors feature Old West techniques, crafts and amenities. You will enter an Old West encampment and think you have been transplanted to an earlier era.

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The chili contests are less original, featuring Chili Verde, Salsa and Traditional Red Chili. People's Choice chili is part of the entry fee for ICS contestants, and there is a prize of $100.00 for the crowd favorite. Non-ICS members may enter the People's Choice contest for a reasonable fee. Original handmade plaques are offered in all of the contests, along with money prizes.

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Proceeds from this contest benefit the C.I.D., the Center for Individual Development, a Regional Recreation Center fo people with disabilities from 6 months of age to ?? years. The Harvest Fair is their major annual fundraiser. Come on out and support this event by cooking, judging, or just enjoying. You'll be rewarded by knowing that you have contributed your time to a very worthwhile cause.

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