THURSDAY - May 1, 2008

CALIFORNIA STATE

May 3^rd 2008

"THE GREATEST CALIFORNIA STATE CHILI COOKOFF ON GRASS IN A PARK"

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San Bernardino, CA

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ICS STATE RED CHILI CHAMPIONSHIPS

ICS STATE CHILI VERDE CHAMPIONSHIPS

ICS STATE SALSA CHAMPUIONSHIPS

INLAND EMPIRE MENUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS

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( Setup starts at 7:00 AM).

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Just a reminder, the 35th annual California State Chili Championship and 4th annual Inland Empire Menudo Championship is just around the corner. Sat. May 3rd 2008. We are looking at a larger than ever crowd this year. We will be having more local Chili and Menudo cooks. This has grown to be San Bernardino's largest one day event.

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With the ICS crew that we have, we can do it. Bill and Karen Ray are our Chief Judge and Scorekeeper. Our Chief Wrangler is Mary Ellen Weber and Donnie Gordon will be taking care of all the non-ICS events. Also a big Job, with lots of rookies to deal with.

Steve Porter, Claude Covington and MiMi Voiles will be our Emcees and Dennis Macklin handling the stage managers job..

My sons Tony and Mike will be my right and left hands. Jeff Meads fills in where needed. Great Crew. Linda Porter and Allene Macklin also aide in Scoring where needed. We also have Capt. Jim Maehl and his wife Willma in from Las Vegas helping where needed.

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We are looking forward to a Great Cookoff and as always some Great Winners.

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I do have one request from all you chili cooks planning on attending. Please send and resend your entries through the ICS website again, as it does speed up the morning registration operation. I have had some computer problems and lost all my entries that were sent in, SORRY!.

. Also please take your money to the judging area the morning of the event. This also will speed up getting the booths numbered.

Make checks payable to: The Friends of San Bernardino Parks Inc.

.Thank You All

Mike "Ughlee" Austin

Chairman

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Please thank all of our Sponsors when you see them. ElPato, Wal-Mart, Smart and Final, Juanita's Foods, Budweiser and The PT Cruiser Car Club "The Dirty Dozen" Johnny Five Toes.

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Silver State Regional Chili Championship

in Pahrump Nevada

May 17.

Good news, we have ROOMS available at TWO casinos.

So reserve yours NOW. (If need be, you can cancel later but we hope you don't).

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The Pahrump Nugget Casino has 43 rooms set aside for $79.00 per night.

Call: 1-866-851-6500 and mention "CHILI".

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The Saddle West Casino has 23 rooms available for $59.00 per night.

Call: 1800-433-3987 and mention "CHILI".

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A reminder that we are having a BBQ at the cookoff site, Petrack Park Friday night May 16 for just $5.00 each, from 6.00 to 8.00pm.

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We are waiting to welcome you all to have a good time with us.

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Thanks Norm and Bobbie Gaul

1-775-537-0842

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SWALLOWS INN REGIONAL

HEADS UP CHILI COOKS AND JUDGES

MAY 17^TH IS FAST APPROACHING AND THE CHAIRPERSON HAS INFORMED ME VERY FEW COOKS HAVE SIGNED UP. SHE HAS LIMITED SPACE AND WHEN GONE, WELL IT'S GONE SO I ENCOURAGE YOU TO SIGN UP NOW! CALL CHERYL AT 949-493-3188 OR GO ONLINE ICS WEBSITE.

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REMEMBER $1,000.00 BUCKS FIRST PLACE FOR RED CHILI WINNER AND ADVANCES TO THE WORLD'S (WHEREVER THAT WILL BE)

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JUDGES, NEED TO LET ME KNOW NOW IF YOU ARE GOING TO HELP AS I NEED TO PLACE YOU ON LIST AT EACH GATE OTHERWISE THEY WILL CHARGE YOU AN ADMISSION.

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SEE YOU AT THE SWALLOWS!!!!!

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STEVE WRIGHT

760-533-1464

chilisteve@msn.com

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Breaking Salsa Ties

by Paul Whitney

A note to Cookoff Chairpeople and Chief Judges: Even if your cookoff does not recognize 2nd place in Salsa or Chili Verde with an award, please go ahead and break the ties anyway. A possible trip to the WCCC could lie in the balance and if your first place cannot go for whatever reason, if you do not have a clear cut second place, you will not be represented.

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Ontario Provincial

Apologies for the short notice. I was actually on the fence between
cookoff/no cookoff. Well, I still want to give my chili friends a chance to
cook at the World's, so...
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The Ontario Provincial is on May 24. It'll be a quiet cookoff, in a
warehouse. There will be tables and chairs for you. Prizes will be
determined by the number of cooks.
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I will host a party for the cooks at my house on the Friday night.
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E-mail me ASAP: chilidog@windsor.igs.net
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I will be away from May 13-19, so if there aren't enough cooks registered
by May 12, there won't be a cookoff.
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Richard Chauvin
519-250-2441
800-387-2659
519-250-2492 Fax

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TUESDAY - April 29, 2008

BUCKEYE REGIONAL & OHIO STATE

What a Great weekend for the International Chili Society. This past weekend there were 10 ICS sanctioned chili cookoffs throughout the nation. Those include 4 Districts, 5 Regionals and 1 State cookoff. Several hundred cooks and several thousands of people attended all of these ICS sanctioned cookoffs. Now, this is what I call getting the message out!

Congratulations to all the Chairpersons that organized these events and raised funds for their particular charities.

We all need to be involved in getting the word out about the International Chili Society and chili cookoffs. I happened to be a part of the Buckeye Reg. 4/26 and the Ohio State 4/27 held at downtown Port Clinton, OH. on historic Madison St.

These cookoffs in Port Clinton are chaired by 13 year Cookoff Chairman Ken Kostal. For those that have attended present and past you all know what a Great job Ken and Diane Kostal do for all the cooks and the charities.

We would be remise, if we did not pay some tribute to some of those that do an awful lot to make all this a success. First let's start with Kim Bartish (Manager) of the Holiday Inn Express and her staff that takes care of all the cooks and judges. Kim lets us have rooms for the weekend for $59 instead of the regular $109 rate. Plus we have the banquet room all set up for the Sat. night cooks party. Thanks Kim.

Also thanks to Nagoya Japanese Steakhouse and Sushi Bar for all their efforts for our Friday night dinner and party.

Thank you to Bob Black and all his work to make sure everything does work.

And special "Thank You" to Stephanie Lowe and Cheryl Wieber of the Salvation Army Board of Directors for all their endless and enduring efforts.

There are many others that also volunteer and "Thank You" to all of you that, we and you, know who they are.

The Salvation Army was the charity of choice for the well over $1,000 raised from the chili cookoffs. Also was a side donation, raffle, gift baskets, etc., to help raise funds for the Bill "Gumby" Donavan relief fund. Ken is happy to report that he and Diane will be sending over $700 to Bill and Gail as a result of the cookoffs. We all missed Bill and Gail and are heart and thoughts go out to them.

After the Sat. afternoon cookoff we all go back to the Holiday Express for a free buffet dinner and drinks hosted and prepared by Ken and Diane and their "Big Bopper's" Restaurant.

And, what a dinner......Lobster bisque, Fresh Yellow Lake Perch, BBQ Chicken sandwiches, Sausage and Meatball Pasta, veggie trays, mini Chicken Cordon Blue bites, along with several deserts as wells as a chocolate fountain to dip your fresh strawberries. With, adult beverages to wash all this down.....WHEW!

The hospitality of all this is of one of the best in the nation. These are just a few of the things that Ken and Diane do to make all the cooks and judges welcome.

Before the cookoff Sunday morning, we all took part in a small self prayer for Bill and Gail Donovan along with those of us that have friends or family that are in need of prayer. We wish them all well!

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OK....OK.....OK.......The cookoffs

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Buckeye Regional

4/26/08

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SALSA 11 contestants (14 judges)

3rd = Sherrie Sutton 8 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

2nd = Richard Chauvin 19 pts (Windsor, ONT. Canada)

1st = Butch Sutton 23 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

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VERDE 16 contestants (17 judges)

3rd = Sherrie Sutton 11 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

2nd = Julie Netser 12 pts (Seymour, IN.)

1st = Lauren Ray 15 pts (Livonia, MI.)

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RED CHILI 26 contestants (23 judges)

5th = Jean Simmons 5 pts (Florissant, MO.)

4th = Jim Weller 6 pts (Rockton, IL)

3rd = Lauren Ray 6 pts (Livonia, MI.)...won tie break

2nd = Jill Simmons 7 pts (Memphis, TN.)

1st = Bob Kyle 8 pts (Dearborn, MI.)

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OHIO STATE

4/27/08

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SALSA 12 contestants (9 judges)

3rd = Heidi Hoover 7 pts (Columbus, OH.)

2nd = Kimberly Mallory 11 pts (Kitts Hill, OH.)

1st = Scott Barrett 12 pts. (Willow Springs, IL.)

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VERDE 16 contestants (18 judges)

3rd = Julie Netser 13 pts (Seymour, IN)

2nd = Tom Hoover 15 pts (Columbus, OH.)

1st = Larry Lentz 19 pts (Nicholisville, KY.)

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RED CHILI 27 contestants (24 judges)

5th = Sherrie Sutton 6 pts (Indianapolis, IN.)

4th = Jerry Simmons 6 pts (Florissant, MO.)

3rd = Jean Simmons 6 pts (Florissant, MO.) (after breaking 3 way tie)

2nd = Lauren Ray 9 pts (Livonia, MI.)

1st = Terry Van Lehn 11 pts (Charleston, WV.)

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Terry, who has been absent from ICS chili for a short while and is back at it again and apparently never missing a beat as she storms out to take the win!

Lauren had a very good weekend, While she has qualified previously in Red Chili, this is her first qualification is Verde.

Sutton's and Simmons' seemed to be everywhere. They were in the hunt all weekend

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And, Bob Kyle's win makes his "Hat Trick" as well his wife Gail who has also completed her "Hat Trick."

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Larry Lentz's win in Verde makes him his "Hat Trick" as well as his wife Diane who has completed her "Hat Trick. That now make two couples in the WCCC for 2008, who have completed Their "Hat Trick".

Larry donated his $200 winnings from his Verde win to the Bill "Gumby" Donovan find.

Thanks Larry.

Congratulations to all the contestants, They are all WINNERS !!

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Conejo Valley Days Regional:

People's Choice:
3rd: Kyle Wilkins
2nd: Doug Roberts
1st: Kenny and Michelle
All were local cooks.
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Top Local Cook:
3rd: Curt Somers
2nd: Robert Truelsesn
1st: Jennifer Burtzloff She made it to the final table!!
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Booth:
3rd: Wayne LaFarr
2nd: Jason Desmond
1st: George Mayo Just applied today!!
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Showmanship:
3rd: Jason Desmond
2nd: Kenny & Michelle
3rd: George Mayo
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Salsa:
3rd: Jim Rasey
2nd: Eileen Beaty
1st: George Mayo A great day for him!!
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Verde:
3rd: Michelle Baumberger
2nd: Jim Beaty
1st: Jan Brown
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Red:
5th: Nibs Waters
4th: Ken Brown
3rd: Dave Thomas
2nd: Bill Ray
1st: Paul LaRoche
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Thanks to all who came out to cook and judge.The trophies and plaques are unique to this cookoff and are always beautiful.
Hope to see you all out here next year!!
submitted by Mary Ellen

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Alberta Regional and Canadian Championships

We will be hosting the Alberta Regional and the Canadian Championships on May 24 and 25 at the Crossroads Market in Calgary. We have been working hard to secure sponsors as we are doing this cookoff much earlier this year and can guarantee at this point the following prize money for each day:
Red - 1st $200, 2nd $100 3rd $50, Verde 1st $100, 2nd $50 3rd $35 - Salsa - entry fees will be returned via prize money
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We have already heard from some top cooks that are planning to attend but would be happy to see more of our chili friends attend. Joy had a recent hospital stay after an emergency Neurology appointment and there is a probable diagnosis of ALS - Lou Gherig's disease. The ALS Alberta Society will be our major charity for the event with monies raised going to research of this terrible disease. We will be selling tasting cups to assist in the fund raising.
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The schedule will be: set up - 7:00 am, cooks meeting 8:00 am, light your verde fire - 9:00 am and turn in at noon, light your red fire at 10:00 and turn in at 1:00 pm. Salsa turn in will be at 11:00 am.
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We are still working on getting rates for some local motels and if you contact us we can recommend ones that are close.

If you have any questions or wish to register please email us at: bzchili@hotmail.com

Hope to see as many of you as possible to make this a great cookoff.
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Joy and Randy Bilozir

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Smokin' in the Valley Chili Cookoff

May 17

Chili cooks and fans head to Canaan Valley Resort!

Davis, WV (May 2008) – There's going to be plenty of heat when chili cookoff contestants fire up their stoves for the third annual Smokin' in the Valley extreme chili cookoff at Canaan Valley Resort on Saturday, May 17. With categories for red chili, green chili and salsa, there'll be plenty of tasting as well!

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Nemat Odeh, Executive Chef for Canaan Valley Resort, is challenging chili and salsa chefs to sign up and show off. "If you think your chili or salsa are winners, bring your pots, your secret ingredients and your showmanship to Canaan Valley Resort," he said. "We're an International Chili Society-sanctioned District-level event so that means our Red Chili winner qualifies for the Last Chance Cookoff at the World's Championship Chili Cookoff in October and the winners of the Green Chili and Salsa competitions qualify for the "World" Championships in their respective categories."

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Chili cooks aren't they only ones who will have fun at the resort that weekend. Odeh said family, friends and guests can take part in chili sampling, arts and crafts demonstrations and plenty of other activities throughout the weekend.

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Cookoff prizes will be awarded in three categories: Red Chili, Green Chili and Salsa. Prizes for Red Chili will be offered for first place ($500), second place ($300) and third place ($150). First place finishers in Green Chili and Salsa will receive $100. The winner of the People's Choice Chili will receive $100.

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The event will begin with a camaraderie-generating Friday evening cook's party. Saturday activities will take place in the covered outdoor pavilion at Canaan Valley Resort's lodge. The cookoff will begin at 10:15 a.m., following a 9:30 a.m. cook's meeting. The awards ceremony will take place around 4:15 p.m.

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Registration for the Red Chili competition is $35 for International Chili Society (ICS) members and $77 for non-ICS members. The registration fee for Green Chili, Salsa and People's Choice is $20 per category. Pre-registration is preferred, and can be done by calling Canaan Valley Resort at (304) 866-4121, extension 2677. Cooks may also register from 7:30a.m. – 9:00 a.m. on the day of the event. Cookoff rules and information can be found at the "Events" link on Canaan Valley Resort's Web site at www.canaanresort.com.

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Crafters can display their work on May 17 for a fee of $25, and tables will be provided.

Canaan Valley Resort is offering a $59 room rate for all competitors and craft vendors during the weekend. All other guests are encouraged to contact the reservation agents at the resort to discuss customizing their mountain getaway weekend.

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For additional information or reservations, contact Canaan Valley Resort at 1-800-622-4121, or visit the website at www.CanaanResort.com.

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Canaan Valley Resort State Park, by Guest Services, Inc. is a 250-room lodge that is a Mobil Three Star Rated property. In addition to the lodge rooms, the resort boasts 23 cabins and cottages and 17,500 square feet of conference space comprised of 12 meeting rooms. You can access the Resort's web site at www.canaanresort.com.

For reservations, please call 800-622-4121.

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MONDAY - April 28, 2008

MINDEN REGIONALS

The weather was beautiful... and with a slight steady breeze! There was snow on the mountains and the view was awesome! Fritz Rubins was Chairman and David & Kathy Hipskind Chief Judge & Scorekeeper both days. Carson Valley Sertoma was the host and charity... and they are one hard working service club. So I simply relaxed and enjoyed the drive up. I get to the cookoff on Saturday morn and there are Claudine, Char & Suzanne from Sertoma who are some of the most efficient Wranglers you will ever meet. They have been there every year since I began working (instead of cooking) this cookoff and anticipate every need. Sigh of relief! Then Fritz tells me his scorekeepers are Kathy H (see Dave, it works both ways), Donnie & Terry Deal. How can there be stress with a crew like that. Fritz, congratulations together a great team for both days! The cookoff was moved to the side of the casino this year, just off the street. Great move and great weather... Sertoma sold out of food on day one and I didn't hear a report on day 2, but I'm guessing a public of 2500-3000 on day one. Day 2 they showed a little later, but it was crowded too. The cooks did well, the vendors did well, I'm guessing the casino did well and I know Sertoma did too! Now for the winners:

Carson Valley Inn #1 – Saturday

Salsa (15 Entries)

2nd Place (Unbroken Tie) - Barbara Herrin & John Jepson

1st Place - John Ammerman-NV

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Chili Verde (19 Entries)

5th Place (3rd in Points as 3-Way tie for 2nd) - Laurie Boisseranc

4th Place - Glennise Tyree

3rd Place - John Jepson

2nd Place - Barbara Herrin-TX

1st Place - Voni Medcraft-NV

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Red Chili (31 Entries)

4th Place - John Jepson (lost the tie for 3rd)

3rd Place - Kevin Foley

2nd Place - Adrian Fuhrman-CA

1st Place - Geneva Holman-NV

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Carson Valley Inn #1 - Sunday

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Salsa (11 Entries)

3rd Place - Joseph Hendrick

2nd Place - Lynn Pruett-CO

1st Place - Ray Bogart-NV

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Chili Verde (17 Entries)

3rd Place - John Medcraft

2nd Place - Barbara Herrin-TX

1st Place - Barbara Beaver- CA

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Red Chili (30 Entries)

4th Place - Skip Cooley (Lost 3-way tie for 2nd)

3rd Place - Herb Holman (who lost a bet & had to cook after Geneva won on Saturday)

2nd Place - John Jepson-CA

1st Place - Kevin Foley - TX

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It was a weekend for ties! I think there were four teams (2 or more cooks each) from Texas. The scorekeepers all now know how to spell Medcraft, Herrin & Jepson. Congratulations to all the winners and to Carson Valley Sertoma and a hearty Thank You to all the volunteers who not only worked hard, but did a great job.

Submitted by Donnie G.

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DELAWARE VALLEY REGIONAL

The drive to the southern part of NJ on Friday was not only typical NJ Friday traffic, but the day was in the low 80's and sunny. Then comes Saturday, the day of the Delaware Valley Regional Chili Cookoff, and the rain over night had cooled things off so much we were all scrambling for extra layers of clothes. Then the wind picked up and pretty much stayed around. We couldn't even look to the sun for warmth, because that was totally elusive all day. The best part was, the cooks came, all 83 of them, then the vendors came and then the spectators came and came and came. And they stayed, because there was some great talent on the main stage of the Gloucester Community College, the headliner being Sara Evans. The judges were many and professionally coached by Dave Lorenz. Steve Falkowski and Wes Carlson really took the setting up of the tables in hand with the help of several volunteers from the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce. The scorekeeping was done by Audrey Falkowski with the help of several local volunteers as well as Dottie Lorenz and our own Vickie, all the way up from Florida. With 2 tables for Salsa and Verde and 3 tables for Red, everyone in the judging tent worked very hard to get through the day successfully.

The winners were:

Salsa

3rd – Rick Sievering

2^nd – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

1^st – Rich Omerza, PA

Verde

3^rd - Christine Johnson, PA

2^nd – Jim Heywood, NY

1^st – Christian Parker

Red

5^th – Lew Wheeling, PA

4^th – Chip Welch, PA

3^rd – Christian Parker

2^nd – Rich Omerza, PA

1^st – Mike Usiak, IL Mike was last year's winner also.

Congratulations to all the winners!!

Submitted by Audrey F.

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