MONDAY - July 30, 2007

Wachusett Mountain Region Chili Cook-off

July 28, 2007
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The day started at 7:00am, with the sun out and spirits high. The cooks started rolling in but, along with the cooks the clouds also rolled in. Most of the cooks had their tents all set up when the skies opened up. At this point it didn't look like the rain was ever going to stop. Five red cooks that hadn't yet set up, decided to just go home be cause it was poring like "chili and spices" (cats and dogs).
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Around noontime the chili gods shined on us, the clouds went away, the sun came out and it was now hot and muggy. Just like the Northeast cooks are used to. The cooks that left, lost out on a great time and a crowd of 1,711 people, that came out of what seemed to be nowhere.
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Lee Wood, the chairman for this event was so busy with judges and making sure his chief judge Joe Harvey had everything for the judge room finally got a chance to come out around 1:00pm and asked me where the heck all these people came from and when did it stop raining? Well, Lee being Lee, did a no more rain dance and went back to helping Joe.
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Lee wants to thank the many sponsors that made this event another success this year. Baker, Izusu & Suzuki, Polar Soda, ASAP Drywall Systems Trust, MBF Printing & Forms, and Wachusett Mountain and the Crowley family.
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The BIGGEST thank you goes to Joe Harvey, Chief judge and Sue Aitken Chief scorekeeper, for a flawless job in the judging room. These two people are the main ingredients to having a great chili cook-off!!
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The results are:

Red Chili
1st - Kathy "Kat" Feedman
2nd - Dave Schulman
3rd - Judy Omerza
4th - Jerry Buma
5th - Mike Kropp
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Chili Verde
1st - Scott "Scoot" Navaroli
2nd - Mary Alice Kropp
3rd - Linda Philacrantz
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Salsa
1st - Mario Saccocio
2nd - Mike Kropp
3rd - Wendy Hennessey

Thanks to all the cooks that stayed for what turned out to be a great day.
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~ Kim Wood, the Chairmans better half!

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IDAHO STATE

By Marilee Barrett

Idaho State was held on Saturday July 28, 2007 at the Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg ID. There were cooks from California, Montana, Washington, Colorado, Idaho and Canada. The prize money was donated by Tom Addis Lake City Ford in Coeur D Alene ID.

The Winners were Peoples Choice: 12 contestants

First Place Robert Anderson, a first time cook representing the Coeur D' Alene fire Department Robert was given a plaque and a Commemorative silver coin

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Salsa: 8 contestants

3rd Place, Randy Bilozir, Calgary Canada, $25.00

2nd Place, Dennis Robinson, Caldwell ID $75.00

1st Place, Darol Wetzel, Manhattan MT (Makes Darol a Hat Trick winner) $100.00

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Chili Verde: 7 contestants

3rd Place, Dennis Robinson, Caldwell ID $100.00

2nd Place, Joy Bilozie, Calgary Canada $300.00

1st Place, Irene Menchaca, Arroyo Grande, CA $500.00

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Traditional Red Chili: 12 contestants

3rd Place, Joy Bilozir, Calgary Canada $100.00

2nd Place Cathy Wilkey, Shoreline, WA $300.00

1st Place Doug Wilkey, Shoreline, WA $500.00

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We hope to see more cooks from all over next year as a great time was had by all.

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Studio Diner Cookoff

Saturday in San Diego was the place to be. We had beautiful weather, great music and lots of chili cooks. Jim Phillips put on a tremendous cookoff considering it was his first. There was a free breakfast for all cooks and judges in the morning. The cookoff was started and the food and drink began in the judges area. Wine, Champagne, all sorts of beer, water soda and FOOD. Sandwiches, Ravioli, Chicken, Salad, Fruit, Veggie Tray and it kept on coming. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!!!
We had 8 first time cooks today. Karen Ray thought it would be special to make it memorable for one of them. She donated $100.00 to award to the best 1st time cook. She and Bill did this a long time ago at their cookoff at the Riverside Elks Lodge, and thought it should continue. A great sentiment and one worth a great big THANK YOU!
A big thanks from me to my helpers..Nicole Caimi and Joyce Covington. Also, thanks to all who came out to help judge. We needed your help and it was greatly appreciated. Carol and Dave Hancock also were there and it was great to see them.
OK on to the good stuff:

Best 1st Time Cook:
Bob Sennett Madres Chili
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People's Choice:
Mikel Foster Pelonz Chili
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Booth:
Virgil Whitehead Marine Corp League #1207

Salsa:
3rd Honorable Mention Mike Austin
2nd Honorable Mention Patricia Sanchez
1st Fujiko Poston
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Verde:
3rd Jim P Jordan
2nd Dave Thomas
1st Sachiko Brecke
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Red:
5th Honorable Mention Bill Ray
4th Honorable Mention Red Brecke
3rd Bob Dyer
2nd Jim Jordan**
1st Mike Ford
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** Jim forgot his Salsa, burnt his Verde, but salvaged the day!!! CONGRATS!!!!
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Since we had 20 cooks today, this will be a Regional next year. Thanks to all who helped make this as good a cookoff at it was.

Thanks, MaryEllen

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Oregon State

The new venue for the Oregon State Chili Cook-Off was a huge success. It was hot...and not just the chili. Mid to Upper 80s made for a scorcher but still had a great turn out and plenty of chili.
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ICS Salsa
2nd- Karen Petersen, Bonanza, OR
1st- Susie Decker, Pleasonton, CA
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Chile Verde
3rd- George Dye, Corvallis, OR
2nd- Harry Robinson, Lincoln, CA
1st- Ron Judson, Red Bluff, CA
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ICS Chili
3 way tie for 3rd
5th- Ron Boisseranc, San Jose, CA
4th- Lisa Beaver, West Richland, WA
3rd- Joseph Hendrick, Gabbs, NV
2nd- Stephen Beaver, West Richland, WA
1st- Shawn Huffman, Taylorsville, UT
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Thank you to all the cooks that help make this a success. A special Thank you to Fritz Rubins for being our Head Judge and Suzy Finnigan and Dione Cooley for helping out with the score keeping..

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CYPRESS CHILI COOKOFF

JULY 28, 2007 By Bobbie Gaul

Well, everyone came to the Cypress Chili Cookoff prepared for 104 degree temperature like it was last year. But, it didn't happen this time, I thought it was going to be hot again but it evened out and was a pleasant day. There were 13 cooks again this year, which is normal for this cookoff, and everyone had a good time. It was great to see Stinky Gaskill cooking again, and also Dave Lukasiak who hasn't been seen for a long time. This cookoff gets several thousand spectators every year and all of them looking for some chili to eat. The whole community comes out along with surrounding communities to enjoy the weekend shopping at the many vendor booths and checking out the many business's that set up booths and give away things to the public. Chris Sherrin (Chairperson) and his helpers always see that we have everything we need in the judging area, and if we don't have it they round it up pretty quick. Don Hammes came out to help judge the vent, and of course we are grateful to Dennis and Allene Macklin for all their help. I especially want to thank Allene for help with the scorekeeping.

Barbara and Charlie Ward was also there to cook and it was nice to see them again.

Now for the winners:

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SALSA: 8 Contestants

3rd Pl. Don Hammes (no he did not judge salsa) LOL

2nd Pl. Nibs Waters

1st Pl. Patty Rogers ( a local)

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CHILI VERDE: 7 Contestants

3rd Pl. Chris Nicoll

2nd Pl. Mary Nicoll

1st Pl. Maud Swick

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RED CHILI: 13 Contestants

3rd Pl. George "Stinky" Gaskill

2nd Pl. Charlie Ward

1st Pl. Charlie Blosfield

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WESTMINSTER ELKS REGIONAL

JULY 29th, 2007 By: Bobbie Gaul

We should all thank Nibs Waters for putting up the money so this cookoff would not disappear, and the Westminster Elks for agreeing to let Don Hammes hold it there. The Westminster Elks is old territory for a whole bunch of us Chiliheads, since many years ago they had a Cookoff every year and we were all there. Their hospitality has not changed over the years as they welcomed us back this year. The breakfast they cooked was super delicious and was only $4.00. We were concerned that we would not get 20 cooks, but we did and it will remain a regional, although Don is not sure if it will be held in the same spot next year, but we are hoping. It was good to have Dick and Nancy Swenberger there once again to help. Thanks Nancy for helping with the scorekeeping and also Edi Gumfudgin. Of course Edi brought Ormly with her. Also the Beaty's for coming from Bakersfield to judge, and Claude & Joyce Covington, and the Brown's and all the other Chiliheads that were there, we thank you very much. This was probably the one of the nicest judging areas we have had, it was in their air conditioned meeting & Bingo room. No wind to fight, and no sun. And the winners were:

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SALSA: 7 Contestants

3rd Pl. Patricia Sanchez

2nd Pl. Nibs Waters

1st Pl. Chris Nicoll

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CHILI VERDE: 7 Contestants

3rd Pl. Russell Barnes

2nd Pl. Karen Angotti

1st Pl. Charlie Ward

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RED CHILI: 20 Contestants

5th Pl. Ken King

4th Pl. Barry Steinberg

3rd Pl. Charlie Blosfield

2nd Pl. Red Brecke

1st Pl. Bill Ray

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DIANE LENTZ

Hello Fellow Chili Heads,

Our dear friend and every chili heads favorite chili gal Diane Lentz is having major surgery on Friday August 3rd. We are asking that you please keep Diane, Larry and the entire Lentz family in your thoughts and prayers.

Please send your cards of support to 315 Tashamigo Drive, Nicholasville, Kentucky 40356.

Take Care

The Donovans

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Heartland Regional

It's still not too late to sign up for the Chilli Man Chilli Heartland Regional Cookoff to be held August 4. This contest will feature Red, Verde, and Salsa contests with a prize pool of over $1,700. This cookoff is held in conjunction with the 22^nd annual Decatur Celebration – Illinois largest street fair. There will be a band performing during the cookoff, and other entertainment throughout the Celebration (including Sheena Easton, War, and the music of Stix). As usual, we expect large crowds during the cookoff, and this year the weather looks like a typical sunny, warm August day. All winners qualify for the ICS World Championship this October.

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Please plan on joining us. Call or e-mail for details. Don't be shut out – sign up soon.

Larry Eastep

3920 Surry Place

Springfield, IL 62711

217 622-3805

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Chilliexperience@insightbb.com

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