SATURDAY - January 19, 2008

Chilly Willie Chili Challenge Reg.

Orland Park, IL

Called in by Jim Stoddard

SALSA 11 entries

3^rd Ed Durfler

2^nd Paul Isham

1^st Tim Flynn

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CHILI VERDE 14 entries

3^rd Ghon Eckley

2^nd Jim Stoddard

1^st Mike Stevens

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ICS RED 24 entries

3^rd Kim Eckley

2^nd Gloria Stevens

1^st Maureen Barrett

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Sunshine Regional

By Marilyn Frederick

It was a foggy morning in Kissimmee, Florida today but about 1 P.M. the sun came out and the fog lifted so we could see the beautiful lake by the cookoff site. Thank you to all the great sponsors and Parks and Rec staff who worked so hard to make this cookoff a success!

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Red: 37 cooks

1 - Douglas Essing

2 - Ray Frederick (tied for first)

3 - Doug Roy (only one point separated the top three spots)

4 - Ron Dalhgren

5 - Linda Evanson

6 - Don Sprouce

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Verde: 20 cooks

1 - Dave Sinclair

2 - Fire in the Bowl (sorry, I didn't get your name)

3 - Ron Dalhgren

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Salsa: 20 cooks

1 - Linda Evanson

2 - Pam Nelson

3 - Tim McAfee

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Best Booth - Pirates Cove

People's Choice - Fire in the Bowl

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Update on Bill "Gumby" Donovan

With Bill's "Gumby's" blood counts going in the right direction we were released from the hospital on Monday Jan.14th. "Thirty days in the hole", as Bill "Gumby" puts it! It really feels good for the both of us to get some sleep at home.We were back at the hospital for yet another of many more bone marrow biopsies on Wednesday January 16th and are now anxiously awaiting for yet another all "clean" result on his marrow and chromosomes so that we can start the next phase of his cancer treatments.He will have surgery next week to put in a more permanent access to administer the out patient chemo, blood transfusions and platelets. By the way thank you to all who have donated blood and platelets in his name.

Acute Myelogenous Leukemia is a tough cancer to beat and keep under control so Bill "Gumby"will be getting four more cycles of intense chemo at Jewish Kenwood Hospital and at home over the next 5-6 months.Chemo will be given three days a week at the out patient part of the Jewish Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and three days a week at night a nurse will come to our home to hook him up to three more hours of chemo and we will have to learn how to do the rest for the home treatment. Needless to say we are very nervous especially about the night chemo treatments at home. Even with several different types of anti nausea meds on board, Bill's "Gumby's" nausea has been off the charts. His back surgery creates a separate set of issues which include making his back go into spasms when he gets nauseous. Most of the time he just cries out to Jesus. It is horrible to watch helplessly so please, please continue your prayers for us.If everything is "clean" they will start the first cycle of chemo on January 28th.

Now is the time to call or stop by if you are not sick. After 10:00 am and before 7:00 pm might be best... but who knows....We take it hour by hour....Please call first,513-941-9711.

Thanks for helping to keep his spirits up. We don't know what we would do without you!

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With sincere thanks and love,

Bill "Gumby's" wife, Gail

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FRIDAY - January 18, 2008

BILL DONOVAN

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Maria Austin Update

Prayers work! Thank you for all of your prayers and concern for Maria. I talked to Mike this afternoon. He was at Maria's bedside, where he has spent almost all of his time since she was stricken. He did manage to get about four hours sleep last night. At the time I spoke with him, he was watching Maria slowly come out of her induced coma. He said that about an hour before she had opened her eyes and recognized him and some of her children who were also at her bedside. Although she still has a long way to go, her color is better, and doctors are hopeful that she will make a full recovery in due time.

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Mike and the family want you to know how very much they appreciate all of your phone calls and emails over the last couple of days. Please keep up the prayers---Maria is not out of the woods yet!

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WEDNESDAY - January 16, 2008

Maria Austin

Mike Austin's beloved wife, Maria, has suffered a massive heart attack. She had to be revived twice. On examination they found two blockages; one was from plaque buildup, the other a blood clot. Emergency angioplasty was performed to improve the condition. She is at St. Bernardine's Hospital in San Bernardino. She is in an induced coma and is expected to remain in a coma for two days.

Maria needs your prayers for her recovery.

Cards can be sent to their home at:

Maria & Mike Austin

2756 Louise Street,

San Bernardino CA 92405.

Mike's email address is ughlee@verizon.net.

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Jim Miller

I just got off the phone with Jim Millers mom in Lake Ariel,Pa. and things aren't going well for Jim health wise.

Jim is a chili cook/organizer/firefighter with the biggest heart. He currently has a very bad infection in his foot. That prognosis isn't very good. He absolutely must clear this up very soon as he is scheduled for surgery to repair his heart. That all has to be done before he can have a kidney transplant. This cook has an awfully long road ahead of him and his mom asked if everyone could keep him in their prayers.

Jim's wife,Sandy's email is spookwriter2@aol.com if you'd like to write and offer support.

Mad Mike

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TUESDAY - January15, 2008

Sunshine Regionall - Kissimmee

The deadline for entering the Sunshine Regional in Kissimmee is January 16th. You can enter online at http://www.chilicookoff.com/Event/Event_Contestant.asp?EventID=2167 or get the application at http://www.kissimmee.org/uploadedFiles/Work/Departments_and_Services/Parks_and_Recreation/Chili_app08.pdf . You might want to call them and let them know you are coming. If anyone coming in from out of town needs a canopy, please email me at floridachili@floridachili.com I have a couple of extra canopies that I can throw in the truck and bring with me.

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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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