MONDAY - Feb. 15, 2010

Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional

ICS Chili Cookoff

Feb. 14, 2010

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The American Center in Springfield, IL. was the location for the 7th Annual Joe DeFrates Memorial Regional Chili Cookoff.

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The Ansar Shrine Patrol and the Valley of Springfield Scottish Rite worked in tandem to present a wonderful day of chili, NASCAR racing, drawings, food and beverage, as well as family entertainment to more than 1,000 happy people.

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The cookoff was held in honor of Joe DeFrates and also long time local grocier and

Shriner Bob Kent. Both men were well known and respected by many in Central Illinois as well as other parts of the country.

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Of Course all the chili people remember Joe as the only International and World Champion Chili Cook, as well as, the chili company that he started in 1952 and is still going today, Chilli Man Chili.

Joe won the international Cookoff in 1973 in Terlingua, TX. and then went on to win the 1975 World's Championship in Rosamond, Ca. at the Tropico Gold Mine.

For all of us that had the pleasure of being with Joe, it is a memory that none will forget of this very gentle, caring, and loving man.

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It is too soon to know the total outcome of all the proceeds collected for the cookoff, but it is estimated to go north of $12,000. These proceeds will be used to fund the Ansar Shrine and Scottish Rite Charities of, Shriners Hospital for Children - St Louis and the 32 Masonic Learning Center for Children - Springfield.

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There are so many people to thank for this fine effort on everyone's part and especially the cooks and the families that came out to support this event.

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For all those volunteers behind the scenes, (And you know who you are), Please take a bow!

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OK, OK........now for the winners.

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SALSA 17 contestants

(12 judges)

3rd = Tom Hoover 12 pts. (Columbus, OH.)

2nd = George McMinn 15 pts. (Decatur, IL.)

1st = Chris Toney 15 pts. St. Louis, MO.) won tie break

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VERDE 22 contestants

(15 judges)

HM = Paul Wessing 8 pts. (Farmersville, IL.)

3rd = George McMinn 9 pts. (Decatur, IL.)

2nd = Bill Dudzik 10 pts. (Omaha, NE.)

1st = Diane Lentz 11 pts. (Nicholasville, KY.)

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RED 33 contestants

(29 judges)

HM = Diane Lentz 5 pts. (Nicholasville KY.)

3rd = Winn Ross 7 pts. (Rochester, IL.)

2nd = "Aldo" Klinghammer 8 pts. (Taylorville, IL.)

1st = Bill Dudzik 10 pts. (Omaha, NE.)

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A "Big Thank You" to all that came to participate at this wonderful event.

As you can see we had some GREAT winners.

This was "Aldo's, 4th second place out of 5 contest just this year. Can he break the spell ??

We had some very, very, happy and excited contestants.

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Congratulations to all the contestants........They are all winners !

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Bob Hall

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AZ Copperstate & AZ Valley of the Sun Regionals

(In Phoenix, Arizona area)

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Greetings from Ahwatukee!!!

BACK 2 BACK REGIONALS

SIX (6) ICS WORLD QUALIFIERS

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I hope everyone is doing well and in the mood to cook some chili!! We are hosting the Back to Back AZ Copperstate Regional and AZ Valley of the Sun Regional cookoffs again this year on March 13th and 14th in our lovely Ahwatukee Park. We will again have security on site Saturday night so cooks can leave their tents and belongings instead of packing it all up and setting up again. What a deal!!! Entry fees are $35 for Red, $30 for Green, and $15 for Salsa. In addition, 1 gallon of People's Choice is required, which we will be checking folks. If you need tables, chairs or canopies they are available for rent. A table plus 2 chairs is $10 and a canopy is $15 for a two-day rental.

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As far as lodging, I just spoke with a representative from Extended Stay America (1.22 miles from our location) and she gave us a great, great, deal especially during this peak season. This is a 1 bedroom queen suite with a kitchen with refrigerator for only $64.99 per night. The same suite is also available with two double beds for $74.99. This is a terrific deal. It is a nice, clean hotel and very close to our facility. To get this deal you need to book before February 19 and tell the booking agent that you are with the International Chili Society. She has blocked off 20 rooms as of today. Their address is 14245 S. 50th St., Phoenix, AZ 85044 and phone number is 480-785-0464. If you have any problems with the reservation, ask to speak with Milijana. She is the one I spoke with about this group rate.

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I look forward to seeing everyone back this year!! You guys are a FUN GROUP.

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Please do not hesitate to call or email me with any questions. Please pass this information on to anyone you might think would be interested in our cookoffs.

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WE NEED COOKS & JUDGES

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Have a great day!!!!

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Susan Hyden

Cookoff Chairman

shyden@ahwatukeehoa.com

480-893-1942

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AVI Back 2 Back Weekend

Don't forget about the back-to-back Regionals at the Avi Casino on Easter Weekend, April 3 & April 4. As before, we will be cooking "behind the buffet" (the wind protected area), on the grass, overlooking the beautiful Colorado River! For discounted room rates, call 1-800-4AVI-2WIN and mention "CHILI 2010." We're expecting great weather, so don't miss these two great opportunities to qualify for the World Championships and enjoy the chili cook comeraderie in the process. See you there!
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Susie Baumberger
2312 W. Avenue L-1
Lancaster, CA 93536
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Cell: 661-714-6234

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