FRIDAY - Jan. 16, 2009

Brecenridge Chilli Chili Championships

Tip of the pot lid to the Rotary Club of Breckenridge for hosting their first ICS "chilli chili" championship held inside the warm River Front Eventscenter in Breckenridge, Co on Jan 10.

Every cook was supplied with chili table cloth covered tables, water, and great goody bag including a $20 Starbucks gift card. The nine ICS cooks were joined by 30 in the locals division to serve the huge aspres ski crowd arriving when the lifts closed. Doug and Donna Sovern managed the judging duties and the panel selected good bowls all around.

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Here are the winners:

Salsa:

1st: Mike Rook

2nd: Kay Rook

3rd: Mick Weiss

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Verde:

1st: Al Henry

2nd: Kay Rook won tie-breaker over

3rd: Bonnie Tomasek

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Red:

1st: Al Henry, won by one point over

2nd: Bonnie Tomasek

3rd: Steve Tomasek

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Planning has begun on next year's event to make it bigger and better.

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Carl Barker

Carl Baker, went to be with the Lord. He passed away peacefully at 6:50 PM this evening in his home in Pahrump Nev. His wife Dona, his mom Barbara and long time friend Mike McAfee were by his side.

More info will follow. Pop Baker is still in Spring Valley Hospital in Las Vegas Nev. on Rainbow Rd.

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Dona Baker

1200 E. Casey Dr.

Pahrump NV. 89048

1-775-727-7522

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Mike Austin

1-909-883-3596

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Nancy Goodman

It is with sadness that we are reporting that our good chili buddy Mike Goodman's wife Nancy has passed away on Wednesday 1/14/09.

Visitation and funeral will be Tues. 1/20/09 at Church and Chapel in Waukesha, WI.

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The fact that Nancy is no longer suffering the misery of many issues she dealt with is of some solace. She stayed strong to the very end and her concern for her family and the many friends who have supported and helped both Mike and Nancy were more important to her than her own health issues.

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Nancy really enjoyed being with the chili people and was a former "World Qualifier." She will be greatly missed by all.

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Condolence may be sent to;

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Mike Goodman

N26W2677 Quail Hollow Rd. #2

Pewaukee, WI. 53072

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or to

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Church and Chapel

Hwy J at Bluemound Rd.

Waukasha, WI.

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Thank You

Bob Hall

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THURSDAY - Jan 15, 2009

UPDATE ON KATHY PLAGER

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As most people know by now, Kathy was taking a side off our tent at the Nevada State Cookoff on Sunday, and tripped over something, causing her to fall backwards. Trying to brake her fall, she fell down on her hands, and broke her left wrist (Yes, she is left handed). She had what they called a Y fracture, but also had a bone protruding through below her wrist. She was ambulanced from Laughlin, Nevada to Bullhead City, Arizona, where they reset her broken bones, and was still in need of an orthopaedic surgeon to look at possible torn tendons, and nerve damage to her fingers. Thank you to Doc Ed Pierczynski, and Bill Gumby Donovan for their professional help in making a quick splint for Kathy at the cookoff, and to Randy Bilozir and every other chili cook who came to her rescue, before I had a chance in getting back from the Port-A-Potty. Thank you Jennifer Gereghty for your help in the Bullhead City hospital, and to Val Gereghty, who kept me going.

Kathy was transported, via ambulance, from Bullhead City, Arizona to Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday night, where Monday afternoon, surgery was preformed to repair broken and "pulverized" bones, as stated by the surgeon, torn and damaged tendons and nerve endings to her fingers. We hope to be getting out of the hospital by tomorrow, barring any further complications. We will stay in Las Vegas till next Thursday, when she see's the surgeon again to have the bandages taken off and a cast put on.

Occupational therapy will be needed to get her fingers "working again", and follow up visits will be necessary in Las Vegas for a few months.

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Bob Plager (from the hospital)

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WEDNESDAY - Jan 14, 2009

LAUGHLIN REGIONAL

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Well, here we were again in Laughlin, NV in January for what has become a real tradition among many chili folks. And, wouldn't you know, somebody invited that enemy of chili cooks, Mr. Wind, to the party. Whoever you are (and I know you won't admit to it) please let Mr. Wind know that he isn't welcome here any more! Thanks.

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Even with the windy conditions (they have been worse), the cooks and judges had a nice day and a great time, seeing old friends, making new friends and enjoying the camaraderie of chili. We had cooks from far and wide. California led the roster with 47, with Nevada a distant second of 11 cooks. There were 6 each from Arizona and Colorado, 2 each from Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, Texas and Alberta Canada. Finally 1 each from Idaho and New York. That's a total of 82 individual cooks who contributed their concoctions to the totals of 29 salsa entries, 35 chili verdes and 69 traditional red chilis. Among the contestants were 8 former World's Champions and many, many State and Regional champions, too numerous to mention. You might say that it was a tough neighborhood!

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As always, Patty O. and her Golden Nugget staff provided all of our needed supplies quickly and correctly, making the event move along smoothly. The day was very ably coordinated by Chairperson Dawn Nehf. The judging area was efficiently commanded by Chief Judge, Gary Nehf. Yours truly was the Chief Scorekeeper, assisted by Donnie Gordon, Allene Macklin, Nicole Caimi, Louise Dinnewith and Val Gereghty. Dennis Macklin and "Dirty Ole Phil" Morosky handled the table setups. There were too many willing workers to mention everyone, but know that your efforts are recognized and appreciated always.

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Throughout the day our thoughts were never far from those of our chili friends who were not able to attend because of various afflictions. Among those missing from our ranks were Carl Baker, Leah Wieland, Ormly Gumfudgin, Chris Nicoll and Dick Swenberger. All were sorely missed. On the other side of that coin, it was wonderful to be joined by Bill and Gail Donovan. Bill's cancer is still in remission, and it was special to be able to join him as he led us in the YMCA Dance. And at the cooks' meeting that morning, Harry and Lynn Robinson supplied a lovely birthday cake to celebrate J.R. Knudson's 93rd birthday!

It was still daylight when the awards were announced. The happy, lucky winners were:

People's Choice Chili:

Alex Faccioli, Joe's Crab Shack Chili

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Salsa:

5th, Terry Brow, Calgary Alberta Canada

4th, Jodi Wiseman, Las Vegas NV

3rd, Mike Freedman, Somers CT

2nd, Gene Beller, Bakersfield CA

1st, Dave Schulman, Avon CT

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Chili Verde:

5th, Bob Hall, Taylorville IL (the defending champion)

4th, Jodi Wiseman, Las Vegas NV

3rd, Sonny Allen, Dayton NV

2nd, Susie Decker, Pleasanton CA

1st, Rick Decker, Pleasanton CA

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Traditional Red Chili:

4th, Bob Hall, Taylorville IL

3rd, Skip Cooley, Reno NV

2nd, Adrian Fuhrman, Ben Lomond CA

1st, Bob Dyer, Canyon Lake CA

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Congratulations to all and best of luck in the World's Championship!

Submitted by Karen Ray

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Ghon Eckley Update - 2 Months Postop

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Ghon had his post-op appointment today (Tuesday) at Johns Hopkins. Both the surgeon and his cardiologist there were impressed with how he looked and sounded. Have I mentioned before that he ticks? His cardiologist thinks he looks the best he's ever seen. His surgeon showed us his chest x-ray and was cool enough to email it to us on the spot. It's pretty cool to see the wire around the sternum, the pacemaker, and the pacemaker wires running to their spots in the heart. He has one more month before he can return to bowling and work. One more month to play with Jonathan, who is getting bigger everyday. The three of us and Ghon's older son Eric will be traveling to Rhode Island next month for the Rhode Island State Chili Cookoff.
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Thanks again to all our family and friends for your support. Even though he's home with Jonathan, Ghon loves company. For all you local folks who promised to visit....please do!
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Take care and our love to all,
Kim & Ghon

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Laughlin – Men in Pink

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Todd from the Friendly Undiscovered chili Kookers or as John Jepson called us the MIP Men in Pink! there are 7 of us between Bakersfield and Modesto Cally!, and Richard Goodding is the Brain trust of the Peoples Choice for our group... Oh Yea, Mike put a sticker on the bus but we also put chili in the Drivers hand! Had to find cups! The Taxi guys caught on! Thanks to Gary and Mother for the People's Choice category and for all the advice to a bunch of young punks. Patty at the Hotel was great and we are looking forward to the AVI. Nice to meet all of you again, and Danny and John for the great time!

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TUESDAY - Jan 13, 2009

NEVADA STATE

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Andy, Jeep & Dad (Harry M Robinson) did their thing and we had a beautiful day in Laughlin! Thank you Patty O and your crew, Sonny & Nita, Dawn & Gary for putting together another great cookoff. Sonny was Chief Judge, Claude Covington was Emcee, Nita Montgomery was everywhere. Scorekeepers: Donnie, Sharon Ayers, Nicole Caimi, Marilou Corrao, Louise Dinneweth, Val Gereghty, and Karen Ray (we'll also include Leah Wieland as she called in the midst of Scoring to make sure we were doing it right since she couldn't be there!);Wranglers: Bob Dinneweth, Bob Dyer, Sharue Johnson, Willma Maehl and Steve Wolf. Thank you to a wonderful team of volunteers! And the Winners:

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People's Choice: Richard Gooding

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Salsa (26 Contestants)

3rd Place - Susie Decker, CA

2nd Place - Maggie Harris, CA

1st Place - Geraldine Villalpando, CA

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Verde (32 Contestants)

3rd Place - Don Hammes, CA

2nd Place - Adrian Fuhrman, CA

1st Place - Mick Joplin TX

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Red Chili (60 Contestants)

5th Place - Mark Haught, NV

4th Place - Skip Cooley , NV

3rd Place - John Jepson, CA

2nd Place - Paul Whitney, AZ

1st Place - Mike Stewart CA (for the 2nd time)

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Congratulations to all the winners. Thanks you to everyone who show up to cook, volunteer or just support and enjoy. There was a check to Relay for Life (Cancer) for almost $1200

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MORE at LAUGHLIN

Laughlin Chili Heads!!!!!!!!
Karen will be putting out a much better note to you all but with her job sometimes she misses out on some pretty funny stuff.
First of all I want to say that Mr. Jim Rasey did not have a Good Time & I'm very sorry for that. ( Don't forget that $100 you owe me) also
I do believe every Bus that went threw the Nugget knows Mr. Mad Mike.If not for his Chili it will be for his sticker.THANKS Mad MIKE!!!!! It was a pleasure to meet you.

Thanks again for all of you buying those cut up cards for the Relay for Life. GREAT JOB.
Thank You All for the Great Time I had.YOU ARE THE BEST
Take Care & See you Next Year,
Desert Dawn
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Kathy, Thanks for my Dolphin Angel Pin. Call me when you are feeling better.
Love You a'll

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MONDAY - Jan 12, 2009

KATHY PLAGER

Kathy Plager fell Sunday during breakdown of her cover at the Nevada State Chili Cookoff in Laughlin, NV. She has a very serious wrist fracture which was set by a doctor in Bullhead City and operated on today by a doctor in Las Vegas. She came through the surgery OK but requires many follow up visits and physical therapy to regain feeling in her left hand. Please keep her in your prayers.

For the time being please let Bob & Kathy get their needed rest.

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Jim Stoddard & Bob Plager

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WINTERFREEZE REGIONAL 2009

There is less than a week left to enter the Winterfreeze regional. This cookoff features red, verde, and salsa contests, is back to back with the Greater Forsyth cookoff and offers cooks a double opportunity qualify for the WCCC. We are located in the KC #364 banquet hall and tables and chairs are provided. Entertainment will be provided by the band Tempting Fate in the cooking hall and the NFL Championship games will be on the other side of the facility on several big screen TVs. The KC kitchen will be open for breakfast so show up early. Prize money is based on entries, but 1^st place the last two years has been $1,000. Since space is limited entries may be limited – don't be shut out. Feel free to call for details.

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Larry Eastep

Tele. 217 622-3805

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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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