WEDNESDAY - May 26, 2010

Sangamon County Fair Regional

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Applications are available for the Sangamon County Fair Regional Chili Cook-off, to be held June 19 on the Sangamon County Fairgrounds in New Berlin, IL. The event is sanctioned by the International Chili Society and the three winners — red chili, chili verde and salsa — will represent the Sangamon County Fair at the 2010 World Championship Cook-off.
For more information,

contact Lloyd Weir at mrmrsweir@aol.com,

309-452-0294 or 309-212-6289.

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Northern Arizona Back to Backs

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June 12th - 27th Annual Route 66 Regional in Flagstaff, Arizona

June 13th - 39th Annual Arizona State in Payson, Arizona

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WE NEED COOKS!!

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Only 1 1/2 months away. Plan on coming to cook in beautiful Thorpe Park, in Flagstaff. Then, take a breath taking drive to Payson, to cook in front of the Mazatzal Casino, the next day. Great trophies, and even better prize money, both days.

Register online at the ICS website. Contact Paul Whitney, Golfnchili@aol.com for more info.

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Bob Dinneweth - Chief Judge - Flagstaff

Bob Plager - Chief Judge - Payson

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TUESDAY - May 25, 2010

Old Town Elk Grove – River City Regional

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WOW the weather was GREAT!! It can be over 100 degrees in Sacramento in May with the normal being about 88 degrees. We were very fortunate that it was a mild 74 degrees and sunny with a light breeze most of the day. It wasn't until we got close to announcing the winners that the clouds moved in and the cold winds came in. We had rain and showers all around but none fell here in Elk Grove.

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This being our 3^rd year here in Elk Grove proved to be the BEST so far. The entire street here in Old Town was filled with thousands of happy folks. The officials clocked the crowd at around 15,000. The street fair was extended an additional block in each direction with more vendors, free things for the kids and a West Main Stage and an East Main Stage, with half a dozen smaller stages up and down the street.

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Kathy and I would like to thank all the ICS Chiliheads that came out to support the River City Regional Chili Cookoff, the cooks, the wranglers, the judges, the volunteers and scorekeepers. We were very honored and blessed to have two current World Championship cooks with us this year. Bob Hall, our current Chili Verde Champion from Taylorville, IL, was out visiting his brother and came out to help us judge. Jim Watson from Placerville, CA, our current Salsa Champion, was here cooking Red Chili. Other past Champions joining us were: Margo Knudson (1987 WCCC), JR Knudson (2006 WCCC), Ed Pierczynski (1992 WCCC) Dione Cooley (2002 Salsa) and Kathy Hipskind (2004 WCCC)

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We'd also like to thank Bob and Julie Grayson, Ed and Mary Pierczynski, Dione and Skip Cooley for their assistance in the Judging area. We'd like to extend a special thanks to Cliff Moody for his continued support and belief in the River City Regional Cookoff. Without his help, this cookoff would not be happening. His sponsorship program with IGA Supermarkets, Markstein (Budweiser) Distributing and The Eagle Radio is instrumental to our existence.

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SO here are the winners:

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Salsa

8 Contestants

3^rd Place: Jim Beaver (CA)

2^nd Place: Lynn Robinson (CA)

1^st Place: Skip Cooley (NV)

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Chili Verde

7 Contestants

3^rd Place: Bobby Santos (CA)

2^nd Place: John Jepson (CA)

1^st Place: Laurie Boisseranc (CA)

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Red Chili

13 Contestants

3 way tie for 3^rd

5^th Place: Sonny Allen (NV) 8 points

4^th Place: Steve Atkinson (NV) 8 points

3^rd Place: Ron Boisseranc (CA) 8 points

2^nd Place: Margo Knudson (CA) 14 points

1^st Place: Dora Jepson (CA) 17 points

Dora has been helping John cook for many years.

This is her first time qualifying for WCCC

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PS: For those of you that have been asking. Margo is doing fine. She is home and recovering nicely.

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The one sour note of the entire day was as we were leaving; Margo fell and bumped her head pretty hard on the pavement. She said she was fine, but we convinced her to go to the hospital and have things checked out. She had a head CT scan and after a couple of hours observation, the Dr. gave her a clean bill of health and sent her home. She is pretty sore, but doing fine. She wanted to thank you all for the best wishes and prayers.

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Huntington Beach Elks #2

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Well, the weather didn't hold up from the previous day as we had hoped. The cooks fought off winds all day long, even though the sun was shining. We had 19 red cooks, 7 verdes and 7 salsas competing on the second day. The Elk members did a fantastic job all day long selling tasting kits, conducting raffles and continually going around making sure the cooks were well taken care of. A big thanks to Dave York, the Exalted Ruler for allowing us to "invade" his lodge, and, of course, Ron Courreges, the Chairman, for coordinating both cookoffs. That was a very big task to undertake and he did a fantastic job as always. We can't say enough about George Beaver who kept the judging area running smoothly with beer, water, condiments and anything else we needed. We love you, George!

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Thanks to everyone who came out to judge and help, and to the scorekeeping crew, Bobbie Gaul, Mary Ellen Weber and Sylvia Steinberg. Thanks also to Barry Steinberg, Mike "Ughlee" Austin and Norm Gaul for helping in the judging area. Also, thank you "Ughlee" for announcing the winners. We know how much you enjoy that "job."

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And now for the winners:

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Best Booth – Steve and Tish Crawford – Crawford's Crankin' Chili

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People's Choice

3rd – Ron Courreges

2nd – Charles Harber

1st – Russell Barnes

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Salsa

3rd - Karen Angotti

2nd– Patricia Sanchez

1st – Armando Sanchez

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Verde – THREE WAY TIE FOR FIRST!

This was a close contest – points ranged from 9 to 12

3rd– Russell Barnes

2nd – Mark Hammes

1st – Patricia Sanchez

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Red Chili

5th Honorable mention – Tony Angotti and Tish Crawford

4th – Honorable mention – Susie Decker

3rd – Don Hammes

2nd – Dick Swenberger (made the trip worthwhile!)

1st – Jim Beaty (It's about time!)

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Congratulations to all the winners and a huge thanks to all the cooks who showed up. It was a great time and we hope to be back next year.

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Dennis and Allene Macklin (Chief Judge and Scorekeeper)

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Inland Empire Regional

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Hello Chili Cooks,

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Anybody out there? From the entries we're getting for Inland Empire Regional this coming Saturday, it doesn't seem like it! At this point we only have three entries for Chili Verde. So, if you're planning to cook and just haven't bothered to let us know (especially chili verde), please drop us an email or give us a call to let us know. The sponsors of this cookoff give $3,525.00 to the ICS chili cooks. They deserve a better turn-out than this.

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I know that there have been five weekends in May and a cookoff every weekend in Southern California and back-to-backs last weekend. But, at the rate we're losing Regional cookoffs in Southern California, we really need to support the ones that are left.

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OK, I'll get off my soapbox now. Hope to see you on Saturday.

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Karen Ray

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MAIN STREET TEHACHAPI CHILI COOKOFF

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Come One, Come All

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Come Cook or Judge

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This is a GREAT event right on Main Street

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June 19, 2010

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All events qualify for World in N.H.

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Red - Entry $35 + 1 Gal.

1st $500

2nd $300

3rd $100

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Verde - Entry $25

1st $300

2nd $200

3rd $100

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Salsa - Entry $10

1st $100

2nd $50

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Please apply on line or contact, Michelle Vance (661) 333-5932, mainstreet93561@sbcglobal.net or Barry Steinberg (818) 887-1467, ripchili@sbcglobal

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Northern Arizona Back to Backs

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June 12th - 27th Annual Route 66 Regional in Flagstaff, Arizona

June 13th - 39th Annual Arizona State in Payson, Arizona

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WE NEED COOKS!!

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Only 1 1/2 months away. Plan on coming to cook in beautiful Thorpe Park, in Flagstaff. Then, take a breath taking drive to Payson, to cook in front of the Mazatzal Casino, the next day. Great trophies, and even better prize money, both days.

Register online at the ICS website. Contact Paul Whitney, Golfnchili@aol.com for more info.

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Bob Dinneweth - Chief Judge - Flagstaff

Bob Plager - Chief Judge - Payson

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If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@gmail.com

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MONDAY - May 24, 2010

ICS MESSAGE

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There are plenty of rooms still available at the Radisson!! You must use the chili code when checking the dates. To do so follow the link below and the instructions that follow.

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On-line booking: Radisson Hotel Manchester

When you are making reservations on-line be sure to fill in the information in the first few boxes and then fill in CHILI1 in the promotional code box. If you don't see that code box click on more search options and it will bring it up. If you don't put the code in when checking dates it will display that no rooms are available.

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Vickie

International Chili Society

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Huntington Beach Elks #1

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It was a perfect day for a chili cookoff, not to warm and not to cold. 21 cooks showed up to compete even a couple from Arizona, (Dick Swenberger and Paul Whitney) Marilee Barrett and her son Sean came to judge since they were in the area to see Sean's new Grandchild and Marilee's new Great Grandchild. I want to thank all the judges who came to judge, without your help we could not have done it. The Elks always gives a warm welcome, and are readily available if we need anything, they are a pleasure to work with and I hope they have us back next year. The winners were:

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SALSA:

3rd Pl. Dennis Macklin

2nd Pl. Allene Macklin

1st Pl. Mike Ford

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CHILI VERDE:

3rd Pl. Mark Hammes

2nd Pl. Russ Barnes

1st Pl. Richard Martinez

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RED CHILI

Tied for 4th were Mike Hulka and Ken Brown

3rd Pl. Charlie Blosfield

2nd Pl. Dick Swenberger (Lost Tie Breaker)

1st Pl. Jim LaTendresse ( this is the first time Jim has qualified for the World and we were very happy for him)

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LINCOLN PRAIRIE TRAIL REGIONAL

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MAY 15, 2010

PANA DAYS

PANA, ILLINOIS

The Annual Pana Lincoln Prairie Trail Regional, International Chili Society Sanctioned Chili Cook-off was held during Pana Days in Downtown Pana, Illinois. Cooks from five States entered the events for the right to represent the Region at the I.C.S. World Championship to be held on October 2 & 3, 2010 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Steady rain dampened the spirits of all but the Cook-off went on and the general public responded to the Sampling. The 2011 event will mark the 20^th year for the Sanctioned Event and the Pana Chamber is planning to mark the Anniversary.

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SALSA 10 contestants

(9 judges)

3rd = Larry Eastep (Springfield, IL.)

2nd = Tom Calvert (Taylorville, IL.)

1st = Mike Goodman (Pewaukee, Wisc.)

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VERDE 7 contestants

(11 judges)

3rd = Greg Virant (Omaha, Nebraska)

2nd = Maureen Barrett (Willow Springs, Il.)

1st = Georgia Weller (Rockton, IL.)

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RED 18 contestants

(26 judges)

3rd = Tom Calvert (Taylorville, Il.)

2nd = Jim Schmedke (Clinton, IL.)

1st = Les Eastep (Rochester, Il.)

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1st Annual Platt Tech Chili Cookoff

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This was the first time Platt Tech High School had put on a function of this size. For a District cookoff, it turned out to be a huge success. There were about 50 vendors and 23 cooks. The public came to shop and taste the chilis and left very happy. There was even a Cow Flop Bingo contest that almost went into the evening, because the cow decided to sleep, rather than make someone some money.

This cookoff was started to honor the memory of Dick Dowling, a chili cook who passed away just a year ago. Anyone who has met Dick and cooked with him, knew him as a very loving man, dedicated and very competitive. He truly loved the cookoffs and the friends he made loved him. He is and will always be missed. So this cookoff, being the 1^st Annual Platt Tech cookoff, was the Dick Dowling Memorial cookoff and Dick would have loved it. The site was great, and we hope this becomes a Regional Cookoff next year.

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The winners:

Salsa

3^rd – Mary Alice Kropp, NH

2^nd – Mike Kropp, NH

1^st – Mike Freedman, CT

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Verde

3^rd – Mike Kropp, NH

2^nd – Mike Freedman, CT

1^st – Rhone Carr, NJ

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Red Chili

5^th – Mike Kropp, NH

4^th – Judi Omerza, PA

3^rd – Mike Freedman, CT

2^nd – Rich Omerza, PA

1^st – Chris Bucciferro, CT

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We hope to see more cooks next year. This was great fun!

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Temecula Cook-off

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On May 16^th, the City of Temecula held its "Old Town Temecula" regional cook-off right downtown. The weather cooperated for the most part, until the wind came up. There were a lot of spectators, as Ellen Dyer will attest too (several times during the day (:). We had 9 reds, 7 greens and 4 salsas. Red and Green will be going to New Hampshire, salsa had a chance to practice. Chief Judge Bob Dyer was assisted by Red and Sachiko Brecke.

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The winners are:

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People's Choice

2^nd Bill Woodring

1^st Sergio Haro

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Salsa

3^rd Linda Purdie

2^nd Charlie Blosfield

1^st Raquel Anthony

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Chili Verde

3^rd Mark Hammes

2^nd Marian Donato

1^st Karen Angotti

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Red

5^th Nick Donato

4^th Jim Latendresse

3^rd Charlie Blosfield

2^nd Don Hammes

1^st Bill Woodring

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Thank you to all the cooks for coming out. I'd also like to thank Red and Sachiko Brecke for all of their help in the judging area and my capable assistants, Ellen Dyer and Lois Dalbis.

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Kathy Stewart

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Wild Willies Regional and Ne State

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Wild Willies Regional and Ne State Chili Cook-offs will be held on June 5th & 6th 2010, in Omaha.

Located on the banks of the Missouri River, looking on the lazy river as it flows toward the downtown skyline. Cooks will enjoy two great cook-offs competing for spots at the WCCC in Manchester, N.H.

Attractive prize money, good live music and fun await. We will ALSO be giving away a car a day for our charity is the Cars for Hero's program. A deserving veteran/family will be helped out.

Lodging specials are at the La Quinta @ Carter Lake, Iowa. 1201 Avenue H. ph. 1-712-347-6595. 69.00 per night. Ask for the Chili rate. Also at the Fairfield Inn Downtown Omaha. 1501 Nicholas St. 1-402-280-1516. 89.00 per night suite. Ask for the Chili rate and /or G.M. Chris Johnson. Reserve by 5/27 please.

Cook-off Location : Miller's Landing on the River City Star property. 151 Freedom Park Rd. 1-402-342-7827

Sponsors: the River City Star, Mi Mama's Tortillas, Nebraska Lottery, Cars for Hero's to name a few.

Additional information--- toucanchewchili@msn.com

Sue & Bill Dudzik

Hope to see you here!

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============================

If you have articles for posting to Dicks Chili World BLOG, they can be emailed to GWTWChili@gmail.com

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