SATURDAY - Jan 31, 2009

Groundhog District Cookoff,

February 7^th

Hello, Cooks and Judges,

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We are two weeks away from the Groundhog District Cookoff, which is a pretty unique event. It is combined with a bbq cookoff sanctioned by the California Barbecue Association. Both cookoffs are being very well received by the competitors. At this point the chili cooks have registered 16 reds and 7 verdes. No one has declared themselves as a salsa contestant, so that contest may have to be scrubbed. We'll see! At this point the barbecue contestants outnumber the red chili entries, and some of the barbecue folks are also trying their hands at chili! It looks like we may fill up the space allotted to us.

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This is a very special cookoff, although it had some scheduling problems last year and had to be cancelled. The host, Palm Desert Country Club, goes overboard to accomodate the needs of the cooks and judges. Cooks, let's turn out and help make this a Regional next year. If you have not already done so, please send your entry online or go to Keith Caroselli's website at www.roadkillgriddle.com/cookoff.html for more cookoff information.

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Chili Judges, we need your help, too. If you can offer your services as judges on Saturday, February 7th in lovely Palm Desert, please let us know that we can plan on you. Call Bill at 951-683-5987 to confirm your support, or email us at Chiliray94@sbcglobal.net. Thanks in advance for your help.

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See you in Palm Desert on February 7th.

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Bill and Karen Ray

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Mexican National Chili Cookoff

This will be the 31st year or our event but will not be having an ICS sanctioned event. With the difficult economic times in both countries, we felt it would be asking too much of our ICS friends. We will be having our third year of People's Choice competition for salsa and chili and that has proven to be very popular. We had a first place winner in last year's salsa competition from San Ysidro, California. As you can see, with the exception of our Lakeside Chef competition, anyone is welcome to participate in our other events. Perhaps you may want to consider our "home cook" chili event or the popular salsa competition. You would always be more than welcome...and we still have a lot of fun.
Again, thanks for your regards and we hope all is going
well for you...
Jim Hussin & Don Howse

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RICHARD KING

There is tragic news from Virginia today. Our great, good friend, Richard King, died in the ICU at INOVA Fair Oaks Hospital last night. After showing signs of progress for several days, Richard took a sudden and fatal turn for the worse as his vital functions shut down. No arrangements have been made as yet, but we will try to let you know as soon as they are available. Richard was a principal founder and driving force behind the expansion of chili awareness and competition on the East Coast. He was much loved and we will miss him terribly.

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Dan Bauer

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JACK WARE

Just to let everyone know, we received a call from Ken Ware. Ken is the son of Jack Ware, long time CASI and ICS cook. Jack is in very serious condition .Right now he is stable but is having a difficult time breathing because of Parkinson's Disease. According to Ken it could be hours or it could be days.

I will try to get an address where he is staying. They have moved him from the assisted living facility where he was living into a nursing home in the DC area. As we receive more information we will pass it al.ong.

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Wes & Ginny Carlson

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THURSDAY - Jan 29, 2009

PHOENIX AREA BACK 2 BACKS

The Phoenix area Back 2 Back Chili Cookoffs are scheduled for March 14^th & 15^th .

CopperState Regional on the 14^th and Valley of the Sun Regional on the 15^th

We will have ICS RED Chili , CHILI VERDE, & SALSA Both Days.

Entry Fees will be the same for both days

RED Chili - $35.00 , CHILI VERDE - $25.00 and SALSA $15.00

The Ahwatukee Community Center will have a few extra Canopies for those Cooks that Fly in.

To reserve a Canopy, you will have to call SUSAN HYDEN, Contest Chairperson.

Tables will also be available to the Fly-In Cooks,

CALL SUSAN HYDEN about reserving a Table.

For more Information about the Chili Contests, please Call:

SUSAN HYDEN

480-893-1942

shyden@ahwatukeehoa.com

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Jim Miller New Info

Here is the new info for Jimmy. New phone number is (215)762-6745 room
number is 2133 and here is the hospital info.
Hahnemann University Hospital
Broad and Vine
Philadelphia, PA 19102
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Thanks,

MadMike

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Ian Whitney's Surgery

Good news. Ian Whitney, 4 month old son of Paul and Sarah, did very well with his surgery yesterday. He is resting comfortably in Pediatric ICU at the Flagstaff Medical Center and should be moved to the regular pediatric unit later today. Mom and Dad are much relieved this is all over and look forward to bringing him to his first cookoff in Phoenix in March. Thank you all for all your prayers for his speedy recovery.

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Paul and Sarah Whitney

WEDNESDAY - Jan 28, 2009

Jim Miller

Jim Miller is a cook and cookoff organizer from Lake Ariel,PA. He is the
nicest guy and has had a string of bad health issues. I'm sure he'd love to
hear from his chili friends as it will brighten his day.
From: "Scott Miller
Hi Mike,
I just wanted to let you guys know that Jimmy is in the hospital in
Philly. PA. He has been the hospital closer to home for a few days and the just
transferred him to Philly. last night. He is having problems with his heart
and they are either going to do a defib. type of device or a transplant
depending upon a donor heart being available. They also want to do the
kidney transplant at the same time so the old parts don't damage the new
ones. He is in good spirits but is very tired. We are not sure when all this
will be done or how long he will be there yet we are still waiting for more
info from the doctors and I will pass along any info I get to you. If you
want to give him a call his number is (215)762-6740. This is direct to his
room and I know he would appreciate hearing from you. I there are any
questions you think I can can answer please feel free to call me at
(203)554-3541. If you could pass the info. about Jim's condition to his
friends in the chili world I would appreciate it and so would he.
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Thanks alot.
Michael Freedman

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MONDAY - Jan 26, 2009

Lake Las Vegas District

1/24/09

Friday it rained, turning our "grassy" site to mud. Saturday morn we woke to fog so thick I couldn't see the end of the driveway... YES, this is Las Vegas! We have fleeting thoughts of gloom and doom for this 1st time cookoff that was put together in time to get the flyers to Laughlin. However, none of this team thinks that way for long. Chanthy Walsh, Chairman is a bundle of energy and her husband, Tim is the stabilizing laid back Chef make an amazing "get it done team" in a wonderful venue with an old European atmosphere. The fog burned off before 8 am and Capt. Jim Maehl, Pete Caimi & Phil Morosky were shuttling people back from getting their cars out of the cooking area, which had been moved off the grassy mud. It turned out to be a beautiful day. The judging area was in a convention area with lots of room, lights, electricity and a kitchen complete with ice maker. We all enjoyed this and took advantage of the amenities.

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Capt Jim Maehl was the Chief Judge, Scorekeepers Donnie Gordon, Nicole Caimi, Louise Dinneweth and Bobbie Gaul; Wranglers Phil Morosky, Bob Dinneweth and Willma Maehl; Pete Caimi was everywhere and designated Health Department Liaison (although that part was easy as there were no problems); and Mike Austin did his usual great job as Emcee. We had an interesting competition for the Restaurant Chefs (many of whom joined ICS even though not yet ready to enter this unknown arena as competitors). The concept of our traditional red was daunting to a few of the 4 and 5 star guys, but they all had a good time and "learned a lot". The winners:

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Restaurant (7 Entries)

1st Place - Tim Walsh, Sonrisa Grill

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People's Choice

3rd Place - Casino MonteLago

2nd Place - Mark Bowman

1st Place - Chef Billy Joe

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Salsa (7 Entries)

3rd Place - Jodi Wiseman, NV

2nd Place - Bob Wiseman, NV

1st Place - Ray Bogart, NV

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Verde (8 Entries)

3rd Place - Bob Wiseman, NV

2nd Place - Eileen Beaty, CA

1st Place - Ray Bogart, NV

Red Chili (10 Entries)

5th Place - Tim Walsh, NV

4th Place - Ray Bogart, NV

3rd Place - Bill Ray, CA

2nd Place - Maud Swick, CA

1st Place - Eileen Beaty, CA

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Congratulations to the winners and Thanks You to all of the volunteers. A great job by all. By the way there is already discussion on making this a 2-Day event next year with day 2 sponsored by All Things Chili in memory of the Baker Boys. More on this as discussions progress.

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SUNDAY - Jan 25, 2009

Chili in the Cornfield Cookoff

District Cookoff – Atlantic, IA

25 Jan 2009
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SALSA (11 entrants)
3. Bill Petersen KS (8 pts)
2. Alexis Force IA (9 pts)
1. Sue Dudzik NE (11 pts)

VERDE (12 entrants)

4. Bill Dudzik NE (10pts)
3. Bob Hall IL (10 pts) won 3rd place tie breaker

2. Alexis Force IA (11 pts)
1. Scott Barrett IL (16 pts)
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RED (12 entrants)
3. Larry Bulla KS (10 pts)

2. Bob Mason IA (10 pts) won 2nd place tie breaker
1. Sue Dudzik NE (11 pts)

This was just a great cookoff at the Farmer's Kitchen (inside!).

Food was the best! All from scratch. DON'T miss this next year!!!

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Thanks from Leah Wieland

Leah Wieland's cancer update:

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Even though she spent 10 days in the hospital because of an overload of chemo, Leah has finally finished her chemo and 41 days of radiation treatments. She is now on the way to recovery and doing well. It will be awhile before we find out if those cancer terrorists have been eliminated, however, we are confident it will be a done deal.

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Leah thanks all of you who sent her the numerous cards, letters, phone calls and e-mails.

I believe the various correspondences she received made a positive difference.

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Thanks again.

Fred (Leah's chauffeur) Wieland

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