MONDAY - June 9, 2008

A LARGE BLOG TODAY, I WENT CHILI COOKING

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2008 Wild Willies Regional and Nebraska State

May 31st,2008 Wild Willies Regional

Salsa----

Big Juan Wright , 3d place

Lynn Virant , 2d place

Debbie Contreras , 1st place.

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Chili Verde---

5th place---Larry Bulla

4th place---Steve Tomasek IV.

3d place--- Sheri Gillham

2d place--- Charlene Johnson

1st place--- Marilee Frankenberg

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Red Chili -----

5th place---Stephie Smith

4th place---Tom Gardner

3d place----David Fenner

2d place--- Bonnie Tomasek

1st place--- Pete Skwiers

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June 1st , 2008

Nebraska State Chili Championship

Salsa---------

3d place ---Pete Skwiers

2d place--- Julie Harley

1st place--- Lynn Virant

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Chili Verde----

5th place--- Mark Johnson

4th place---Charlene Johnson

3d place--- Derek Lochner

2d place--- Sheri Gillham

1st place--- Scott Barrett

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Red Chili------

5th place--- Stephie Smith

4th place--- Merle Simpson

3d place--- Jim Weller

2d place--- Bonnie Tomasek

1st place--- Big Juan Wright.

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Simi Valley District

It was a hot day in Simi Valley Sunday but we had 11 chili cooks come out to support this cookoff. It is one of the longest running cookoffs; this year was the 21st Annual!!! I surely hope this doesn't fade away, it really would be a shame. We did have 7 ICS cooks and 4 cooks who did people's choice only.
There was the usual huge crowd of very hungry people tasting everyone's chili. There was a car show and they had lots of family activities. A good day was had by all!
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Here are the results of the Simi Valley Knights of Columbus District Cookoff:

Booth:
Wayne LaFarr
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Showmanship:
Wayne LaFarr
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People's Choice:
3rd Place: Bill Schemm collected 1083 tickets
2nd Place: Tim Kimmack collected 1238 tickets
1st Place: Mitch Woldman collected 1732 tickets!!!
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Red:
5th Place: Wayne LaFarr
4th Place: Debbie Drake
3rd Place: Jim Rasey
2nd Place: Dave Thomas
1st Place: Bryan LaRoche - Paul's son!
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Thanks to all who came out to support this cookoff.
MaryEllen

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Cookoff Results from The Northeast

There were 2 cookoffs this weekend in the hot, humid, sunny Northeast. It seems we were complaining only a month ago about the 45 degree temps at the New England Regional. Storms came through on Friday making way for a bright and sunny Saturday in Hudson New Hampshire for the Bronco Belly Bustin" Chili Fiesta, otherwise known as the New Hampshire State Chili Cookoff. The Alvirne Friends of Music from the Alvirne High School are the hard workers who have put this cookoff on for the last several years. They have games for kids as well as arts and crafts vendors and raffles for some nice gift baskets. It was a hot and steamy day for the cooks, but they came through with great competition chili and some good samples for the crowds that came to judge for themselves. Scott Wilson worked very had with his committee to keep the day trouble free. The best part of the day is the music. These young men and women have won awards around the country year after year for their incredible ability. They entertain all the cooks, spectators and judges all afternoon. Very talented people.

Now for the talented cooks, aka the winners:

People's Choice:

3^rd – Wendy Hennessy, NH

2^nd – Don Ouellette, NH

1^st – Lori Skinner, NH

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Best Booth

3^rd – Chili Warriors – Bruce & Steve Strong

2^nd – Chili Cats – Mike Kropp, NH

1^st – Top Hat Chili – Don Ouellette, NH

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Salsa

Tie for 3^rd

4^th – Don Ouellette, NH

3^rd – Steve Parker

2^nd – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

1^st – Jim Heywood, NY

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Chili Verde

Tie for 4^th not broken

Linda Philcrantz, NH

Mike Kropp, NH

Tie for 2^nd

3^rd – Wendy Hennessy, NH

2^nd – Jim Heywood, NY

1^st – Scott Navaroli, MA

This was Scott's first Hat Trick win. You can imagine how happy he was.

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Red Chili

5^th – Mike Kropp, NH

4^th – Don Ouellette, NH

3^rd – Kathy Freedman, CT

2^nd – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

1^st – Dave Schulman, CT

Congratulations to all the winners.

And now for Sunday:

The sun and the heat followed us about 30 miles south to the town of Lawrence Massachusetts. The cookoff site was in the center square of what used to be 4 mills along the Merrimack River. Those old buildings (smokestacks and all) have been renovated and house all sorts of businesses from realtors to Doctors offices to restaurants. This was the first cookoff in Lawrence and judging from the number of people who came out to support the town, it may not be the last. The day even cooled just a bit for us, as there was a bit of a breeze and it made cooking in a parking lot bearable. The Lawrence District Cookoff was off to a good start. They had several bands and some very eager judges. Dennis Michaud and the Rotary did a great job keeping things going.

There was a separate People's Choice award celebration those who work servicing the community; the Heroes of Lawrence. They included Fire, EMS, Nursing Homes, Rehab Hospitals, and Teachers.

The People's Choice Hero Award:

3^rd – Northeast Rehab Hospital

2^nd – Special Ed Teachers

1^st – Reading Fire Department

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ICS People's Choice:

2^nd – Mill City Chili Peppas, (Matt Brien),MA

1^st – Durty Kurty Chili (Kurt Leitner) NJ

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Salsa:

5^th – Bruce Strong, NH

4^th – Don Ouellette, NH

3^rd – Dave Schulman, CT

2^nd – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

1^st – Mike Freedman, CT

This was Mike's first Hat Trick win also. To say he was happy is an understatement.

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Chili Verde

5^th – Mike Kropp, NH

4^th – Jim Heywood, NY

3^rd – Lance Fuher

2^nd – Jack Cowell, CT

1^st – Matt Brien, MA

This was Matt's first cookoff. The judges loved it and he was ecstatic.

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Red Chili

5^th – Don Ouellette, NH

4^th – Jim Lehan, MA

3^rd – Mike Kropp, NH

2nd – Kathy Freedman, CT

1^st – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

Mary Alice is thrilled to get a chance to compete in the Last Chance. Last year her husband Mike did and ended up on stage in 4^th place in the World. Not a bad spot to be in.

It was a long, hot weekend, but we had some VERY happy cooks going home.

Next cookoff is New York State at its new location in Poughkeepsie. Just check the ICS website.

Audrey Falkowski

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Clarksville Mo Regional

June 7th ,2008 was a great day for Raintree Arts Council and Clarksville Mo. Regional Chili Cook-off . The weather was just right for Chilli and COLD Beverages. Thanks to the 30 red Chili cooks, 11 Verde Cooks, 10 Salsa( when I thought I had only 5) and 10 Anything Goes for making our Event a HUGE SUCCESS. The attendance was great even with the treat of rain, wind, heat and the River. What else?

The winner list is::::::::'

ICS RED CHILI

1st place Cathy Schmedeke(winning a tie Breaker)

Clinton Il.

2nd place Jim Weller(so close, but Cathy is Going to WORLD

Rockton, Il.

3rd place Len Berke (Vietnam Vets Team)

St. Peters, Mo

4th place Larry Eastep(3 time winner at Clarksville)

Springfield, Il

5th place Jean Simmons(wife of Jerry Simmons 2time World Verde winner)

Florrisant, MO (and reason we have the Clarksville Regional)

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ICS Verde

1st place Georgia Weller( former World Red Champion )

Rockton, Il

2nd place Tom Calvert(by 1 point, right)

Taylorville, Il

3rd place Mark Hurt(Couldn't say enough nice things about the fisherman's cottage)

Tolono, Il

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Salsa

1st Place Larry Wright( The Wright Stuff Chili)

St. Charles, Mo

2nd Place Larry Eastep

Springfield, Mo

3rd Place Chris Toney

St. Louis, Mo

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Anything Goes Contest

lst place Larry Wright(Boy he feels good winning TWO event)

2nd Place Thomas Blattner (Applied for ICS membership)

3ds place George Rives (Mary he got you this time)

It was a fantastic day and WE(Bill and Linda) want to thank everyone who helped with the Judging

Adam Glosier a new head judge, has judged many of our events and has already volunteered for next year,

Margie Greenwell , Scorekeepper and Helen Mirick(sister to me) and right hand woman to get the palette cleansers and the tables ready for judging. Two people who you rarely see but are the heart of having a successful event. Also Bill Blakey(husband) who fences us in and makes sure the grounds are perfect.

City of Clarksville for helping with the trash and mowing

The sponsors, of which we could not put this event together without their support(money)

If you bought a T-shirt you would see all the names that made it possible.

Thanks again

Linda Blakey, chilihead

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COOK'S CORNER-MAY 7^TH

Results: by Bobbie Gaul

Cook's Corner was once again a success this year. I can't say enough about how Cook's Corner treats the cooks and judges. It is a neat spot for a cookoff, and I am sure we will be back next year. The cooks started arriving early in order to get a good spot. The weather was perfect for a Chili Cookoff, not too hot or too (chili). We had cooks from near and far. They came from Northern California, Colorado, and Arizona to support Don Hammes. And it was much appreciated. I also want to thank all the Judges who came out to help including Doc and Wilma Cottingham, whom I had not seen in some time, and Ellen Dyer, Karen Angotti and Darlene Taylor for help in the scorekeeping department. (Ellen took over when Karen had to leave.)

And the winners are:

SALSA: 10 Contestants

3^rd Pl Red Brecke

2^nd Pl Irene Menchaca

1st Pl Sachiko Brecke – This gives Sachiko her hat trick.

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CHILI VERDE: 11 Contestants

3^rd Pl Allene Macklin

2^nd Pl Dick Swenberger

1^st Pl Patricia Sanchez

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RED CHILI: 22 Contestants

There was a three way tie for 5^th place (which was not broken), between

Howard Choate, Bill Ray and Ken Brown

4^th Pl Kathy Plager

3^rd Pl Charlie Blosfield

2^nd Pl Mike Ford

1^st Pl Mike Hulka

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WESTMINSTER ELKS REGIONAL

May 8^th – Results by Bobbie Gaul:

Once again the Elks welcomed us to their lodge. There was a great breakfast served by the Elks (with a few problems) but for those who got their food it was good. Most of the cooks who were at Cook's Corner were also at this one.

Charlie and Barbara Ward were down for a special function and decided to cook while they were here. It is always nice to see Charlie and Barbara. We had cooks from Northern CA, Colorado, Arizona and Idaho. The prize money for this cookoff is donated by Nibs Waters. The beautiful framed certificates were made by Chris Nicoll. The results are as follows:

SALSA – 10 Contestants

3^rd Pl. Howard Choate & Mike Brisbine were tied for this spot.

2^nd Pl. Kathy Plager

1^st Pl. Mark Hammes

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CHILI VERDE – 7 Contestants

3^rd Pl. Charlie Ward

2^nd Pl. Jim Beaty

1^st Pl. Rick Decker from Northern CA

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RED CHILI – 20 Contestants

5^th Pl. Ken Brown

4^th Pl. Mike Brisbine

3^rd Pl. Karl Smith

2^nd Pl. Bob Plager

1^st Pl. Ken King

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TEHACHAPI DISTRICT CHILI COOK-OFF - JUNE 14, 2008

In Historic Downtown Tehachapi, 35 min, east of Bakersfield, Ca.

Chairperson Michelle Vance has been working extremely hard to pull this large event together.

Food booths, children' s area, including a Ferris wheel, petting zoo, car show, gunfighters, BBQ and 80 craft vendors in park area.

Downtown has many shops, including a great restaurant for breakfast!

She has also pulled together townspeople to set up booths and make people's choice chili for the public, leaving the ICS cooks to

concentrate only on making their winning chili. Sorry, but this year there will be no Verde or Salsa competition.

Michelle has 7 new cooks competing, plus the ICS cooks she is close to making this a Regional for next year!

We are in need of a few more cooks and all of the judges that can make it.

Please be aware that some times Tehachapi can be breezy, but the temperature should be a comfortable 80 degrees.

Cooking time is from 11:00 to 2:00

Jim Beaty- chief judge

Mary Ellen Webber - scorekeeper

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Wendy & Dick Steinert

"Please keep Dick Steinert in your thoughts as he deals with the loss of his wife, Wendy. Funeral arrangements are pending. If you wish to send a sympathy card, his address is 3221 Forsyth Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407."

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WILLMA MAEHL

TO ALL MY CHILI FRIENDS

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE CARDS AND E-MAILS. THEY REALLY MADE A DIFFERENCE . I AM HOME NOW AND DRIVING JIM CRAZY HIS USUAL TRIP U P NORTH HAS BEEN CANCELLED. WILL BE IN LOCAL WATERS SO HE WILL BE HOME MORE OFTEN. I CAN GET AROUND BY MYSELF BUT HAVENT DRIVEN THE CAR YET

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL ON THE CHILI TRAIL SOON

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LOVE WILLMA

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