WEDNESDAY - August, 8, 2007

BLOGGERS MESSAGE

We are getting towards the end of the Chili Year and Chili Cookoffs NEED CHILI COOKS. So if there is a Chili Contest near you GO AND COOK. Or if you are qualified, Go and Judge.

These are the Contests this coming Weekend:

Deep Creek Chili Splash , McHenry, MD 08/11/07

Rocky Mountain Reg , Winter Park, CO 8/11/07

Western Regional , Del Mar, CA 8/11/07

Colorado State , Winter Park, CO 8/11/07

San Mateo Cnty District , San Mateo, CA 8/12/07

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Mississippi State Championship

GREETINGS FROM MISSISSIPPI, THE MAGNOLIA STATE!
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It's that time of the year when we again invite you to attend our second annual Mississippi State Championship Chili Cookoff. It will be held October 27,2007 here in Richland, Mississippi. Not only do we invite you to compete for the title of Mississippi's best chili cooker and all the rewards that go with the title, we also hope you will come to enjoy the beauty of our state, visit some of the local attractions, but most of all enjoy the friendliness and hospitality of our people. After all, there is a very good reason Mississippi is also called the "hospitality" state.
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The Mississippi State Championship Cookoff sponsored by the Richland Historical Society will allow the winner of the competition to attend the 2008 WCCC. Since the Mississippi cookoff is being held about twenty days after the 2007 national cookoff which was held October 5th, 6th, and 7th, 2007, you will already be eligible for 2008. Now isn't that hospitable of us?
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Once again the cookoff will take place in Eastside Park here in Richland. You will be cooking on grass and under shade trees. We will provide tables and chairs but you will need to bring your covering (in case of rain). A water hose will be provided for clean up.
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For your comfort, may I suggest that you bring clothing suitable for both hot and cold weather. Temperatures here fluctuate from one extreme to the other during this time of the year and you might need both sets of clothing. Today it could be in the 90's but if a cold front comes through from the north, tomorrows highs could be in the 40's or 50's.
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We will have tasting cups and spoons for you to serve samples of your chili
and salsa to the public.
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For those of you who were not here last year and for those of you who were but have forgotten the directions, here they are again (grin): Turn east off Highway 49 onto Harper Street; Wal-Mart will be on your right. Go past Wal-Mart a very short distance to the next driveway to the right and that will be one entrance to the park. If you miss the turn, continue going straight until you come to a four way stop. Turn right and continue a short distance until you cross over a small branch and the next entrance will be to your right.
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I have made arrangements with Super 8 Motel to give all you cookers a discount. Their telephone number is (601) 932- 8883 and their fax number is (601) 914-1732.
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For all you hunters, fishermen and outdoors people, Bass Pro Shop has opened a new store less than five files from here (Christmas is just around the corner). If you aren't interested in shopping, then you might want to drive west to Vicksburg and throw some of your money away in the riverboat casinos. (big grin).
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Hope to see you in October! Linda Goff, Chairman Bob Hall, Chief Judge

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TUESDAY - August 7, 2007

Windy City Regional - by Mike Usiak

The Windy City Regional was held on Sat. Aug 4th under near perfect conditions. That is very unusual this time of year in Chicago. Low clouds and a light breeze kept temps in the low 80's all day which helped bring the festival attendance over the 15,000 level that day. Twenty cooks handed out about 2000 samples of Verde and red chili to an energetic crowd that helped raise over $500 for our local food pantry. The Midwest was well represented by cooks from Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio competing against the local Chicago cooks. But in the end the local cooks prevailed.

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The Food Pantry of St. Teresa of Avila would like to thank Chicago Cutlery and Ray's Chili for providing the prize money for the champions. Each cook also walked away with a new knife courtesy of Chicago Cutlery. Glazed Expressions of Chicago once again provide our unique hand glazed, kiln fired trophies. We were fortunate to have Wes and Ginny Carlson back as our Chief Judge and Scorekeeper this year to help keep things running smoothly from start to finish. As always Nancy Usiak was an enormous help in all areas coordinating the judges, the charity volunteers, and the cooks. That's akin to herding cats for anyone that doesn't know. I hope to see more cooks from across the country come into Chicago next year as we continue to grow this event.

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Salsa

Maureen Barrett - Brookfield IL

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Verde

3rd - Bill Donovan - Cincinnati OH

2nd - Mike Goodman - Waukesha WI

1st - Gloria Stevens - Homer Glen IL

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Red

3rd - Maureen Barrett - Brookfield IL

2nd - Gail Donovan - Cincinnati OH

1st - Tim Flynn - Chicago IL

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Thistledown Regional

The 7th Annual Thistledown Regional chili cook-off is set for Saturday, August 25. 1,700 in prize money will be given out in Salsa, Verde, and Red Chili !!!! The host hotel is the Courtyard by Marriott in Independence, Ohio and it is about 10 minutes from Thistledown racetrack which is in North Randall, Ohio. It is 15 minutes southeast of downtown Cleveland. The general manager Brent Reitz has done a great job with hosting this cook-off the last 6 years, so please come and support this fine cook-off. Brent has a limited number of hotel room's set and he will take care of the Fri. night cost if you also stay sat. The rate is 99.00 plus tax. You must e-mail Brent at Brent.Reitz@thistledown.com to get the free room. You can also call him at 216-662-8600. Bob Hall will be the chief judge again. Cook's party at the hotel and dinner at the winking lizard at 730.I have lot's of miller lite from the Marblehead cook-off that I would like to have some help drinking. If you would like a cook-off flyer send me an e-mail at bigboppers@cros.net and I will send you one back. Thank you and I hope to see you all at the cook-off.

Ken Kostal

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WESTERN REGIONAL COOKOFF-

Saturday August 11-Del Mar Race Track---Claude Covington

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I am writing this Tuesday evening and as I am sure its too late for the mail.

Here are instructions on how to gain access to this weekends cookoff if you haven't already responded.

You may enter to set up between 6:30 am & 10:30 am.

Directions: Exit I-5 at Via de La Valle and go west. Take first left on Jimmy Durante Blvd. Go 1/2 mile and enter main parking lot. Proceed to parking area at the west end of the grandstand.

Enter through the west entrance (employ gate, turn left through the tunnel. We will be located in the middle of the infield. Find me and I will give you a parking pass which you can place on your dash or w/shield.

Hope to see you Saturday at the races!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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============================

If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@aol.com

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Tell your other Chilihead Friends about the BLOG and how it works.

SUNDAY - Ausust 5, 2007

23^rd Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff by Audrey Falkowski

The day was bright, warm, not as humid as last week, and full of fun. Bruce Cloutier and the Winchendon Kiwanis did another great job on the 23^rd Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff. Though not as crowded as in the past, the spectators still loved tasting the many chili's and enjoyed the great band playing all day. There were lots of games for the kids, as well as a Shoot and Holler, using shots of lemonade. Even though Bruce had knee surgery on Thursday, he could still be seen limping around the area, lending a hand wherever he could. The cookoff gives the cooks great gifts, and the People's Choice prize is always a beautiful piece of furniture from a local business. This year the prize was a beautiful dining room table, with 2 18" leaves. Many thanks to Bruce, Jessica and Jim, all from the Kiwanis, who worked tirelessly to make sure all the cooks and spectators had a wonderful time.

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People's Choice and winner of the beautiful table:

Lee Wood, MA (Thanks goodness he had a truck to take it home)

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Salsa

3^rd – Lee Wood, MA

2^nd – Joe Harvey, MA (lost the tiebreaker)

1^st – Steve Parker, MA This is Steve's first win!!!

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Chili Verde

5^th – Mario Saccoccio, CT

4^th – Lee Wood, MA

3^rd - Rich Omerza, PA

2^nd – Judy Omerza, PA

1^st – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

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Red Chili

3-way tie for 4^th

6^th – Fred Hodgman, MA

5^th – Scott Navaroli, MA

4^th – Dave Schulman, CT

2 way tie for 2^nd

3^rd – Gerry Buma, MA

2^nd – Rich Omerza, PA

1^st – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

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This was Mary Alice's first Red win and now she completes her Hat Trick!

Congratulations to all the winners!!!!

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Colleen Wallace - by Sue Schools

Chili Queen: Colleen Wallace of Dallas, TX lost her many year battle with cancer last week. Colleen started with CASI in the 1960's and then competed in every
ICS event held in Texas until her health failed her, and she was an
ambassador of good will, traveling far and wide to promote chili. I
remember Colleen arriving in Scottsdale, Arizona to represent the State of
Texas at the ICS World Championship. Colleen had turned in her chili in
Terlingua and drove straight to Scottsdale with her leg in a cast. A woman
of great heart and spirit and everyone applauded her 1995 CASI Terlingua
Championship. We were lucky to have known her ...
Sue Schools - Sugar Shack Chili.

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Top of West Virginia Chili Cookoff

Don't miss out on the newest Chili Cookoff at the Top of West Virginia. Make plans to cook on Saturday, August 25 at the Mountaineer Race Track and Gaming Resort in Chester, West Virginia. This year it's a District Cookoff but sure to be a regional next year. The Top of West Virginia Chili Challenge will be awarding $2500 in cash to the winners in Red, Verde and Salsa and of course the Verde and Salsa winners will be going to the World Championships. The Red winner will take home $1000. The cookoff will be held indoors in the resorts event arena and cooks will be provided an eight-foot table to cook on during the competition. Cooks can easily stay at the resort, with special rates for participating cooks.

For more information call 800-80-40-HOT.

There will be a cook's welcome party on Friday night and the cookoff is set for Saturday. The proceeds of the event will go to various local charities. See you at the Top of West Virginia Chili Cookoff, Saturday, August 25, don't miss out.

Joe Stevens

Director, Communications & Development

The Media Center

Phone: 304.720.5466

Cell: 304.382.1133

Email: jstevens@themediacenter222.com

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============================

If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@aol.com

============================

Tell your other Chilihead Friends about the BLOG and how it works.