MONDAY - June 1, 2009

New Jersey State Cookoff Winners

It was one of the top 10 best days as far as the weather went. That was great, because it was one of the best cookoffs New Jersey has seen in a long time. The 20^th Annual New Jersey State Chili Cookoff and Salsa Festival sponsored by Downtown Tom's River was a huge success by anyone's standards. The top prize for ICS Red Chili of $5000 brought out a larger number of cooks this year. We also had quite a few new cooks enter, and from the way they were talking after the cookoff, we will probably see most of them again. The Downtown Tom's River group as well as Allen Consulting did a great job promoting the cookoff as evidenced by the throngs of spectators tasting all the chilis and salsa. Over 3000 chili kits were sold, and it was estimated that at least twice as many more visited the many vendors that lined not only Washington Street (the main drag), but several of the side streets too. Steve and I had the pleasure of having Dave and Cindy Lorenz help us out in the judging and scorekeeping area as well as Jo and Nick, who have become regulars at the cookoffs. With 2 tables for salsa and red, things couldn't have gone smoother because of their help.

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The only sad note to the day was that we could not attend the funeral of our dear friend and fellow chili cook, Dick "Doc" Dowling of Doctor's Choice Chili. We know he would have not wanted us to skip the cookoff and we know he was with us in spirit. He and his companion, Yvonne, were regular competitors at NJ State. Dick will forever be in our hearts.

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The very happy winners of the cookoff:

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Best Booth

The Pop Hots

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People's Choice Red Chili:

WRAT the Rat Rocks

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People's Choice Salsa:

The Firm 4

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Salsa: 29 entries

5^th – Rich LaFrance, MA

4^th – Rick Sievering, MD

3^rd – Christian Parker, VA

2^nd – Bruce Harms, NY (losing a tie for 1^st)

1^st – Carrie Lentz-Parker, VA

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Chili Verde: 19 entries

5^th – Jeff Cousminer, NJ

4^th – Guy Reinbold, MD

3^rd – Kurt Leitner, NJ

2^nd – Jim Parker, VA

1^st – Tom Yanisko, NJ

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Tom has been competing in NJ since the first cookoff there 20 years ago. He has also been a great help behind the scenes too. He obviously made a fantastic bowl of Verde, because he got a whopping 33 points.

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Red Chili: 48 entries

5^th- Mike Kropp, NH

4^th – Eric Eckley, MD

3^rd – Rhone Carr, NJ

2^nd – Carrie Lentz-Parker, VA

1^st – Jonathan Everin, NY

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Congratulations to all the winners. See you all next year!

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HUNTINGTON BEACH ELKS REGIONAL

May 31, 2009

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Well, the day started out gray, dreary and misty and stayed that way (except for the misty) most of the day. Just as everyone was starting to pack up the sun decided to grace us with its presence, it was a welcome sight. Norm and I hadn't seen it since we got to California. (I know it's the usual thing this time of year and I don't miss it) We had a lot of people come out to help Don Hammes, Jim Beaty and Maud Swick came all the way from Bakersfield to judge, Dennis and Allene Macklin, Mike Hulka, Sandy Hunt and Mike's friend Kenneth, the Steinbergs and more that I can't remember, but they all know that Don and I appreciate them coming out to help and want to thank them. Ron Courreges did an excellent job of Chairing this cookoff, and his helpers, especially my helper George was always Johnny on the spot when we needed anything. Hope to see you all next year.

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A special Thank You to my very capable assistant Mary Ellen Weber.
She is always there to help anyone in anyway and it is very much appreciated. THANK YOU Mary Ellen.

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I also want to thank Karen Angotti and Sandy Hunt for the beautiful birthday cake and gifts. It was a very big surprise and I was not expecting it. It was really a very well kept secret, since we stayed with Mike and Sandy.

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Now on to the important stuff, the winners:

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SALSA:

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3^rd Pl. Steve Crawford

2^nd Pl. Judy Barnes

1^st Pl. Irene Menchaca (she now has her hat trick)

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CHILI VERDE: Point spread for this was 32, 18, 15

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3^rd Pl. Karen Angotti

2^nd Pl. Sachiko Brecke

1^st Pl. Russell Barnes

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RED CHILI: Point spread for this was 36, 22, 15, 11

Tied for 4^th: Bill Ray and Dave Thomas

3^rd Pl. Karl Smith

2^nd Pl. Russell Barnes, (the Barnes had a very good day)

1^st Pl. Charlie Ward (who, I would like to say came all the way from Idaho, but they will soon be Californians again.)

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HOPE TO SEE EVERYONE AT COOK'S CORNERS ON JUNE 27^TH.

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HI STATE CCO VIDEOS

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Greetings from the Alien! Here are some videos of the HI State CCO cooks party,

and the cookoff. It will give you an idea of the magnitude of this spectacular cookoff.

I put this cookoff at the top of ALL cookoffs. There are only four left, and then there

will be no more at the Scaff residence. View and enjoy.

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HI State CCO Cooks Party;

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http://www.motionbox.com/folders/60500057?affiliate_name=motionbox&guest_pass=9090dfb81002fbc13fec9cf7a1324c9dd24b84b2d14d&iid=share&sharer_uid=4e95dbbb1417e2c3&sharing_uid=309cdab51112e3be&sid=mbox_shareemail

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HI State Chili cookoff;

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http://www.motionbox.com/folders/60868227?affiliate_name=motionbox&guest_pass=9090dfb81002fbc13fec9cf7a1324c9dd24b84b2d14d&iid=share&sharer_uid=4e95dbbb1417e2c3&sharing_uid=309cddb01c1ae4be&sid=mbox_shareemail

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Jim Stoddard

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NORTHEAST Back 2 Backs

Chili Friends,

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We are less than a week from the ONLY Back to Back chili cookoff's in New England. That means you'll have 5 chances to qualify for the WCCC!

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Day one: June 6,2009 NH State/Bronco Belly Bustin Chili Fiesta Alvirne High School 211 Derry Road Hudson, New Hampshire. A great ICS State CCO in a New England country setting.You can sign up here: http://www.chilicookoff.com/event/Event_Contestant.asp?EventID=2476 For more info,please go to the ICS site or http://www.chilifiesta.org/

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Day two: June 7,2009 Lawrence (MA) District Chili Cookoff Pemberton Park Lawrence, Massachusetts. A great 2nd year ICS CCO in the center of a very welcoming city. You can sign up here: http://www.chilicookoff.com/event/Event_Contestant.asp?EventID=2432 For more info,please go to the ICS site or http://www.lawrencechilicookoff.org%20/

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We really hope to see you either one or both days!

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Kat and Michael Freedman

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25th Annual Massachusetts State Championship Chili Cookoff 2009

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Chili Cookoff Chairperson

Bruce Cloutier

35 Goodrich Street

Winchendon, MA 01475

978-297-1815

email: bruceburner@verizon.net

Hello Great Chili Cooks!!!

You guessed it! Ifs time to prepare for the 25th Annual Massachusetts State Chili Cookoff in Winchendon, MA. Saturday, August 1st from 11 am to 6 pm (cooks may set up from 8 am on..,) Hats off and a big "THANK YOU" to last year's contestants who "spiced up" the day with creative displays and awesome samplings of chili!!!

As members of the Kiwanis Club of Winchendon and Artisan Lodge of Masons, we will again work our hardest to have an enjoyable day for the cooks and crowd as well as exceed our fundraising goals to support programs for children and youth of Winchendon. We have hired the well renowned Help Wanted Band. We will also have a DJ/Announcer to oversee the contests and keep the day moving along with a clown, petting zoo and of course the "almost famous" Kiwanis concession stand. Thank you in advance for taking part in this fun-filled family event.

This year's prizes will include:

Red Chili - $500 for 1" place, $200 for 2^nd place, $100 for 3^rd place, and plaques for 4^th and 5 places.

Green Chili - $300 for 1^st place, $100 for 2^nd place, a trophy for 3^rd place, and a plaque for 4^th place.

Salsa - $100 for 1^st place, plaques for 2^nd & 3^rd places.

Other prizes:

Best Booth - $50 for 1^st place, plaques for 2^nd & 3^rd places.

Showmanship - $50 for 1^st place, plaques for 2^nd & 3^rd places.

Youth Division - $50 for Ist place

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Contest Entry Fees:

Red Chili plus at least 2 gallons of People's Choice chili is $30.

Green Chili is $20 and you MUST be a member of ICS with this entry.

Salsa is $15 and you MUST be a member of ICS.

inter all 3 ICS categories for $50 ($15 savings!)

2009 is our ninth year for Youth Division - entry fee is $15

If you have any questions, please contact Bruce and he will get back to you promptly! Thanks for sending your applications in early. If you send your money for entry and you get into the worlds at a cookoff before ours, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK! (But then you must be a judge, HA! HA!) so don't delay - send today!!!

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Our Head Judge & Head Storekeepers this year will be renowned Chili Experts Steve & Audrey Falkowski

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OLD MINERS DAYS CHILI COOK-OFF

60th ANNIVERSARY BLOW-OUT CELEBRATION !!!

in beautiful Big Bear Lake , Calif. July 11th , 2009

Cooker's meeting at 10 am . Cook Noon to 3 .

Lots of vendors . Fun events all day . Food Fair .

Rock n` Roll . Western Shoot-outs . Kid's Area .

Calcutta Dinner & Chili Auction Friday , 6 pm at B's BBQ .

Proceeds split between 1st place Red cooker , bidder ,

and the Old Miner's Association . That amounted to

an extra $900 in prize money last year . Double that

if you bid on yourself & win the Cook-off . It's Happened !!!

1st place Red $500 , 2nd $300 , 3rd $100 - $35 entry ,

plus one gallon People's Choice , prize $100 . Salsa $50 .

1st place Green $150 , 2nd $100 , 3rd $50 - $20 entry .

Plaques for Whiskerino , 1st time cook , Miss Chili Pepper ,

Mr Hot Stuff , Best Local Cook , and on , and on , and on !

Cookers & Vendors need to call Mark Gaines very soon

@ 909 - 363 - 6592 No on-line sign-ups . I will mail your

application immediately , & confirm your booth location .

For accomodations , call the Resort Assoc. @ 909-866-7000

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SILVER STATE REGIONAL

Lake Las Vegas, Saturday June 6th

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I've not heard from very many cooks and I am starting to worry. Found out that they are running radio ads all week and have scheduled two television interviews. Tim (the Executive Chef and owner of Sonrisa Grill) does a great interview... as if people needed an excuse to go to Lake Las Vegas. So if you've already qualified and want to get together with your friends, come on out and do People's Choice. The folks at Opportunity Village will greatly appreciate it. If you're not aware of what they do, they help the mentally handicapped live in the main stream of life. I have a niece born with such a handicap. She is now almost 30 (going on 16), has her own apartment, a good job in childcare, rides the bus to work and lives a normal life on her own. We are all quite proud of her and appreciate what Opportunity Village does for others in her position. So if you've nothing else to do, please join us.

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Donnie

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Chris Toney
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Please keep my father in your prayers as he has been hospitalized with pneumonia and another possible stroke which is affecting his memory. Dad has been a longtime friend of Joe DeFrates and has been a big chili supporter since the early 1990s. He stood by me when I won Missouri State three times and has always been a supporter of Chilli Man Chili.
Your prayers for his good health will be most appreciated.
Cards to:
David Ruble
#5 Ramsgate Drive
St. Louis, MO 63132

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