TUESDAY - January 8, 2008

Laughlin Regional Chili Cookoff

Rain was predicted, and the prediction came true, though not to the extent that had been anticipated. Actually, after last year's extreme winds, the mantra of the day was "Boy, we'd rather have this weather than the wind!"

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As usual, on Friday we set up our tables in the hotel lobby to sign up the cooks in advance. We were very pleased to see many of the usual folks, and some new participants, rolling in from California, Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Michigan, Illinois, Colorado, Texas, Utah and Connecticut. Most impressive was the contingent from Alaska, a family of four, competing in their third chili cookoff!

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Judges, too, came from afar to contribute to the success of the day. Special thanks to all who helped. Each of you makes a special and unique contribution to the success of every chili cookoff that you attend.

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Raffles were held all day on behalf of "Relay for Life". An excellent DJ played varied music to suit all tastes. Claude Covington as emcee conducted the drawings and announcements. Special thanks go to Sonny Allen and Nita Montgomery for providing some separate special raffle prizes for the Scorekeepers and other supporters in the judging area. The recognition was very much appreciated by all.

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Just about turn-in time for the red chili, the skies opened up. The rain that had been threatening all day came on in earnest! During the red chili judging we listened to it on the roof of the judging tent. Cooks picked up and cleaned up and lowered their canopies, as most were planning to compete again on Sunday. Still the comments from the cooks were positive---"Much better than wind!" Because of the rain, the announcements were held in the judging tent, and the winners were:

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Salsa (15 entries):

4th, Dave Schulman (CT) tied with Paul Whitney (AZ)

3rd, Russell Barnes (CA)

2nd, Steven Pike (CA)

1st, Bob Poston (CA)

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Chili Verde (26 entries):

5th, Dennis Robinson (ID)

4th, Sonny Allen (NV-Northern)

3rd, Ray Bogart (NV-Southern)

2nd, Jim Beaty (CA)

1st, Bob Hall, (IL) This is Bob's fifth time in a row to win Chili Verde on this weekend!!!!!!!

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Traditional Red Chili (63 entries):

5th, Ron Judson (CA)

4th, Larry Fishel (CA)

3rd, Mike Ford (CA)

2nd, Donna Foley (TX)

1st, Nancy Swenberger (AZ) A Very Happy Lady - Way to go Nancy!

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I would like to thank those who helped with Scorekeeping:

Sharon Ayers, Nicole Caimi, Marilou Corrao, Val Gereghty, Donnie Gordon, Edi Gumfudgin, Allene Macklin and Leah Wieland.

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Message from Desert Dawn

Hey Chiliheads
Thank you so much for braving the weather report & showing up at Laughlin Reg. & Nevada State.
I't always so very hard on our heart when we lose a Good friend & Chilihead. We all will miss you Barbara & George. Heaven sent the tears down on us Sat. & opened up the skies on Sunday.
Again THANK YOU all for supporting the Laughlin cook off. See you next year.
Much Love
Dawn
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P S
Ormley !!!!! NEXT YEAR IT'S MY TURN TO WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Nevada State

Sunday Jan 6 - Laughlin NV

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After last year's wind and this year's weather report, we were expecting a small crowd and were pleasantly surprised! The Golden Nugget has new owners/management, but Patty O managed another great cookoff on their behalf. Sonny Allen Chair's and Chief Judges beautifully assisted by Nita Montgomery... Dawn & Gary Nehf relieve some of the pressure as they Chair and Chief the day before and are there to coordinate with Patty and the rest of the Nugget staff.

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We have required Andy, Jeep & Dad (Harry M Robinson) to be in charge of the weather as they were all part of the original cookoff and are in a position to do something about it. When it started spitting rain on Saturday, we figured George had arrived and was peeved that he couldn't cook, so it would take them a little while to calm him down. They must have succeeded as the weather held for us on Sunday and the folks who left generally had obligations to meet elsewhere. In addition to our "Weather Committee" for Scorekeepers we had Donnie Gordon - Chief, assisted by Leah Wieland, Karen Ray, Sharon Ayers, Nicole Caimi, Marilou Corrao, Val Gereghty, Edi Gumfudgin, and Nita Montgomery. Sonny promoted Fred Wieland to Official Chief Wrangler of Nevada State, which is good as I threatened to come get them if they ever got snowed in again. I forgot to get a list of wranglers from Fred, but I remember seeing Bill Corrao and Willma Maehl working very hard and my apologies to everyone else Fred abused, no guarantee, but I'll try not to do that again. Claude Covington, MC and Jim Maehl, Photography did their usual excellent jobs. Before I get to the awards I want to say how wonderful it was to see Tony & Lois Dalbis and Doc & Willma Cottingham (they say they will back more often). OK! now the important stuff... the winners.

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The Stainless Steel Chili Pot (donated by Sonny & Nita) went to Kevin Foley

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The Scooter Races went to Ormley Gumfudgin (again & he's already in training for next year)

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Salsa (11 Entries)

3rd Place - Dave Schulman

2nd Place - Karen Angotti

1st Place - Steve Pike

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Chili Verde (21 Entries)

3rd Place - Dennis Robinson

2nd Place - Dick Swenberger

1st Place - Lynn Robinson

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ICS Chili (56 Entries)

5th Place - John Medcraft (Defending Champion)

4th Place - Kevin Foley

3rd Place - Tony Inglese

2nd Place - Harry C Robinson (Lost the Tie)

1st Place - Eileen Beaty

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Congratulations to all the winners. Thanks to all the volunteers and cooks. Great weekend had by all.

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