Saturday, May 17, 2008

SATURDAY - May 17, 2008

ACREAGE MUSIC AND CHILI FEST – DISTRICT COOKOFF

Cutting to the chase: South Florida has a great new ICS cookoff!

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The first annual Acreage Music and Chili Fest took place on April 26, 2008 in Loxahatchee FL (just west of West Palm Beach), at the beautiful Acreage Community Park. Robert Trepp and his team did such an outstanding job that, had I not known otherwise, I would have never recognized that it was a "first time cookoff".

The cookoff's organization and logistics were superb, the entrainment terrific, the location ideal. To round things out, even the weather cooperated with a gorgeous South Florida day.

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However, by what is perhaps the best measure, the cookoff was a major success; every participant made a point of saying what a great time they'd had…and that they were already looking forward to next year's event. This same sentiment was echoed by every person in the (quite large) crowd with whom I had contact.

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Now to the results:

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Non ICS (and critical for the crowd's ability to sample chili)

Restaurant Division (as judged by the judges)

3rd Place Gun Club Café – Mike, Mark and Becky

2nd Place Kocomos Island Grill – Don Pascalli

1st Place Sneaky Pete's – Don Pascalli

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People's Choice Open (as voted by crowd ballots)

3rd Place Steve LeBlanc

2nd Place Indian Trails

1st Place Thomas Dragner

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ICS

Best Booth

1st Place Chris Everhardt – Colorado Cowboy Chili

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Showmanship

1st Place Chris Everhardt – Colorado Cowboy Chili

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Salsa (9 cooks)

3rd Place Sue Ann Zornes

2nd Place Don Stewe

1st Place Doug Roy - will represent Acreage Music and Chili at the WCCC

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Chili Verde (8 cooks)

3rd Place Don Stewe

2nd Place Mike Grimes

1st Place Doug Roy - will represent Acreage Music and Chili at the WCCC

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Traditional Red (12 cooks)

3rd Place Priscilla D'Agostino

2nd Place Don Stewe

1st Place Ken Burke – qualifies for the WCCC Semi-Finals

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Doug Roy completed his "Hat Trick" by winning Salsa and Verde; congratulations Doug! Don Stewe had two seconds and a third; great job Don, you're obviously "in there" and it is only a matter of time.

Once again, congratulations to all the winners and a special "attaboy" to Robert and his team for putting on such an outstanding event. I fully expect that next year the cookoff will cross the "Regional" threshold, giving us another "South Florida direct qualifier" for 2110.

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Sergei Kowalchik

Chief Judge

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Tampa Chili Fest Regional

May 17, 2008

Salsa - 17 entries

3rd - Randy Gilchrist

2nd - Ron Dahlgren

1st - Joel Gilchrist

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Red - 21 entries

3rd - Sue Sprouse

2nd - Ken Burke

1st - Ron Dahlgren

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Thursday, May 15, 2008

THURSDAY - May 15, 2008

*** ALERT *** ICS SPECIAL MESSAGE
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The ICS website is back and running except for the Discussion Forum. The virus has been cleared.
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Carol Hancock
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Wednesday, May 14, 2008

WEDNESDAY - May 14, 2008

ICS SPECIAL MESSAGE

Please note that when trying to access the ICS website it may say "Under Construction". The site was attacked with a virus and needs to be cleaned up so that it will not infect your computers when you log on. Please be patient as we're trying to get it back up as soon as we can. Once up, we may find some things that might not work correctly but we'll slowly work to get things right.

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If you have logged into the ICS Web Site within the PAST WEEK and your computer froze up PLEASE run your anti-virus program to be sure you were not infected.

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Vickie

International Chili Society

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Computer Problems

Sorry but my Computer is acting up. It will be down a week or so.

If necessary, you can E-Mail my business computer: ccovington@mercuryinsurance.com

or my Cell phone is 909-3224510==home is 951-6746508

Claude Covington

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Swallows Inn Regional

April 17, 2008

ATTENTION CHILI VERDE COOKS!!!!

WE NEED AT LEAST TWO MORE VERDI COOKS TO QUALIFY AS A SANCTIONED FOR VERDI. SOOOOOO PLEASE SIGN UP NOW!!!!!

CALL CHERYL AT 949-493-3188

THANKS

STEVE

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TUESDAY - May 13, 2008

FROM ICS Headquarters
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Monday, May 12, 2008

MONDAY - May12, 2008

CALIFORNIA STATE

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Maria Austin was very much a part of the 35th Annual California State Championship Chili Cookoff, although she went to be with Jesus on April 22nd, 100 days after she suffered a massive heart attack. She was laid to rest surrounded by family, extended family and friends on Wednesday, April 30th. At the cookoff on Saturday she was honored with a lovely photograph, a beautiful wreath, and the presence of even more family, extended family and friends. Many of the chili cooks honored her by displaying pictures of Mike and Maria and by acknowledging their "Lee" names, given to them by Maria during her cooking years when her booth theme was "Fam-Lee Affair Chili". If you didn't know before, you know now why Mike Austin is best know as "Ugh-Lee". Maria apparently hooked up in heaven with Jeep and Andy; among the three of them they made sure that the weather was perfect for this event!
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And what an event it was! Bill and I arrived at 6:45 to officiate as Chief Judge and Chief Scorekeeper, and the cooks, car show participants, vendors, and even some spectators, anxious to get down to the serious business of tasting the various delectables so they could vote for their favorites, were already swarming in to the Perris Hill Park. There is sooooo much going on at this cookoff. It seems to grow in all directions every year. One of the more popular featured events is the Inland Empire Menudo Championship. This was the 4th Annual, and the best yet. There are two stages. The back stage, emceed by Claude Covington, features gunfighters, local bands and drill teams, car show awards and a band. The front stage, monitored by Steve Porter, features, between the Cooks Meetings, Miss Chili Pepper, Mr. Hot Sauce, Shoot 'n' Holler and Chili Eating Contests, the entertainment of Y-Karaoke. Yvonne brings some exceptional and fun local talent to the stage during the day, and the competitors are rewarded for their efforts with trophies and Wal-Mart gift certificates.
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Special kudos go to Donnie Gordon for her dedication to this cookoff. Donnie comes from Las Vegas every year to give her expertise to all of the non-sanctioned competitions. This is probably the most difficult job in the whole event. She is dealing with non-ICS competitors, many of whom have never experienced a cooking competition. With the exception of the Open Salsa Contest, all of these competitions are judged by the public, who turn in their ballots to vote for their favorites. She collects entry forms and entry fees, numbers booths for the various contests, makes sure that they are following the rules set up for their particular event, collects all of the ballots several times a day, tallies the results of the voting and gives these results to the ICS Chief Scorekeeper for inclusion in the awards ceremony. She gets too little recognition for her efforts, but she continues to come pack every year. Thanks, Donnie, for California State and for all of the rest of the cookoffs to which you contribute your time during the year.
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The judging area is always very well supplied by Mike Austin, and this year was no exception. Everything we needed to conduct the judging and scorekeeping was at our fingertips when we arrived. The judges were also treated to a special lunch in the judging area. One of Mike's "Poker Buddies" also has a Mexican restaurant. He and his assistant prepared and served a choice of carnitas, carne asada or chicken tacos with beans and rice, complemented by tomatillo salsa, red salsa, guacamole and various appropriate condiments. It was delicious!
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Perris Hill Park is a beautiful venue for this cookoff. Large old trees shade most of the area, including the judging area, which is set apart from the rest of the cookoff. The Friends of San Bernardino Parks are the moving force behind the event. The City of San Bernardino also participates in various ways. Major sponsors are Walker foods (El Pato products), Wal-Mart, Budweiser and Smart & Final. Juanita's Foods sponsors the menudo championship. These sponsorships are greatly appreciated, as a total of $4,500.00 in prize money is paid to the various winners.
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After a long, but rewarding day, the winners were announced. And they were:
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Open Salsa, non-ICS members (15 contestants):
3rd, Stingers Bar and Night Club
2nd, Amie Westrom-American Legion Post #777
1st, Charlie Villalpando
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ICS Sanctioned Salsa (14 contestants):
3rd, Red Brecke
2nd, Sachiko (husband-beater) Brecke
1st, Susie Baumberger
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Restaurant and Open Chili Competition (12 contestants):
3rd, Amador Chavez
2nd, Kathleen Filkins-American Legion Post #777
1st, Mike Trueba, Jesse's Green Team
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ICS People's Choice Chili (all Traditional Red and Chili Verde cooks):
3rd, Russell Barnes, Sancho Blanco Chili
2nd. Chris Black, American Legion Post #777
1st, Jesse Trueba, Jesse's Green Team
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4th Annual Inland Empire Menudo Contest (12 contestants):
3rd, Margaret Cervantez, a first-time competitor
2nd, Ray Calderon, who has placed every year
1st, Abel Silva, who has won the contest three years in a row
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ICS Chili Verde (13 contestants):
3rd, Ron Burt
2nd, Patricia Sanchez
1st, Eric Stewart, the son of Mike & Kathy Stewart, for the second year in a row
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ICS Traditional Red Chili (31 contestants):
4th, Charlie Blosfield
3rd, Eric Stewart
2nd, Howard Choate
1st, Paul Whitney received the flag presented by retiring Champion Nancy Swenberger
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You might note that Arizona cooks have done very well in this cookoff lately. Recent California State Champions include not only Paul and Nancy, but also Dick Swenberger. Congratulations to all of the winners, and thanks to all of the judges and scorekeepers and everyone who helped bring this biiiiig event to completion.
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Bill and Karen Ray

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Back 2 Back Northern Arizona Chili Cookoffs

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June 14th and 15th , 2008

Come spend a weekend in the Cool Pines of Northern Arizona and Cook Chili at TWO ICS World Qualifying Chili Contests.

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SATURDAY - 6/14/2008

25th annual ROUTE 66 Regional in Flagstaff Arizona. Cookoff is being held at Thorpe Park.

This years Chili & Salsa Contests feature added prize monies and special goody bags for the 25th anniversary festivities.

Contact Paul Whitney, Chairperson, at 928-526-4314 or email at Golfnchili@aol.com for complete information.

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A short 90 mile drive to Payson after the Route 66 contest will have you ready for the Sunday contests.

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SUNDAY – 6/15/2008

37th annual ARIZONA STATE in Payson Arizona. Cookoff is being held in the parking lot of the Mazatzal Casino.

The Chili & Salsa have Great Prize Monies,

$1,000.00 - 1st place ICS Red,

$500.00 - 1st place Chili Verde,

$250.00 - 1st place Salsa.

Contact Linda Mathiesen, Chairperson, 928-474-6044 or email lmathiesen@777play.com for complete information.

Or

Dick Swenberger, Chief Judge 480-650-3921 or GWTWChili@aol.com

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For Motel, Entry Fees and Cookoff Times – Contact each Chairperson.

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Sunday, May 11, 2008

SUNDAY - May 11, 2008

Back 2 Back Northern Arizona Chili Cookoffs

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June 14th and 15th , 2008

Come spend a weekend in the Cool Pines of Northern Arizona and Cook Chili at TWO ICS World Qualifying Chili Contests.

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SATURDAY - 6/14/2008

25th annual ROUTE 66 Regional in Flagstaff Arizona. Cookoff is being held at Thorpe Park.

This years Chili & Salsa Contests feature added prize monies and special goody bags for the 25th anniversary festivities.

Contact Paul Whitney, Chairperson, at 928-526-4314 or email at Golfnchili@aol.com for complete information.

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A short 90 mile drive to Payson after the Route 66 contest will have you ready for the Sunday contests.

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SUNDAY – 6/15/2008

37th annual ARIZONA STATE in Payson Arizona. Cookoff is being held in the parking lot of the Mazatzal Casino.

The Chili & Salsa have Great Prize Monies,

$1,000.00 - 1st place ICS Red,

$500.00 - 1st place Chili Verde,

$250.00 - 1st place Salsa.

Contact Linda Mathiesen, Chairperson, 928-474-6044 or email lmathiesen@777play.com for complete information.

Or

Dick Swenberger, Chief Judge 480-650-3921 or GWTWChili@aol.com

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For Motel, Entry Fees and Cookoff Times – Contact each Chairperson.

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Willma Maehl -- Update

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After 10 hours of surgery on May 7 Willma came through it as well as could be expected. On Friday he became nauseated and began running a fever. Her doctor feared that she may be leaking fluid in the area where she had the surgery. This meant he has to go back in and repair the problem. But when I arrived to the hospital Saturday morning the first thing she said to me is I feel hundred percent better. The nurses were preparing her for surgery when the doctor arrived to find that she was feeling much better her temperature was normal her blood pressure was almost normal, so he decided to wait a few more hours to observe her. Friday evening he said he will postpone it for today. He indicated we will take it one day at a time. She was allowed finally to have some solid food and be able to elevate her head a little.

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Thank you all for keeping good thoughts for her so she can get back out on the chili trail and whip some butts.

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I will keep you all posted,.

If you would like to send a get well card you can send it to

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920 LOOKING GLASS LANE

LAS VEGAS NV. 89110

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She is in Valley Hospital on Shadow Lane in Las Vegas.

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Thanks, Capt. Jim

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Bill "Gumby" Donovan Update

Hello Fellow Chilihead Friends,

It has been five months now and it is hard to remember what our lives were like before cancer entered into it. Holidays came and went and now the seasons are marking the time. Bill is in the third phase of four outpatient chemo treatments. The intense chemo is taking a cumulative effect on his body so this last treatment is kicking his butt... He will get another bone marrow biopsy in a couple of weeks to see if we can go on to the fourth out patient chemo treatment which we are hoping will put him into remission by early August.

Our daily trips to the hospital always include a conversation about how much we miss competing in the ICS. The past several years we have seen more of our chili cookoff friends than our immediate families! We are praying that our lives can once again revolve around our "chili cookoff calendar" instead of our "chemo calendar".We miss all of our chili friends and thank you so much for your love and support and especially your prayers.

Gail & Bill "Gumby" Donovan

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