Thursday, December 31, 2009

HAPPY NEW YEAR to each of you.  Hopefully tonight will be filled with much fun celebration and in some places may there be Good Chili.

Good Luck to each of you cooking today, tomorrow, Saturday and on Sunday.  If you can't win, at least have a fun time.

May Chiligula Bless Your Days and Your Journey Home!

Janice and Cliff Miller

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

From Mayo Blair:
Our prayers and thoughts go to Red Dillion and family. See below information on viewing and services forwarded by Karen Inmon.

Read in the paper this morning that Donna Dillon passed away yesterday.

Viewing is tonight and service is tomorrow at 2nd Baptist at 2:00 pm.

From Ted Fichtl:

Good Morning Chili Cooks,

FYI....if you would like to convoy from Lukeville to Rocky Point we have some options for you:

Saturday, January 9
Fichtl

Meet at the gas station on the right just before crossing the border

Will pull out at 12:00

Wednesday, January 13
Berry
Same place & time

Thursday, January 14
Fisher (I think this is correct)
Same place & time

Have a Safe and Happy New Year - we hope to see you South of the Border, Down Mexico Way!!!!!


It is Wednesday and here are the CCOs for this weekend.
Dec 31, 2009-001 - Indianapolis, IN CASI. Hoosier GP's Indoor New Year's Eve CCO is a new cook-off. Held at Country Inn & Suites, Brickyard Meeting Room, 5630 Flight School Dr, Indianapolis, IN 46221, 317.821.1100, located at I465S, Exit #8/Kentucky Ave. behind Culver's & Damon's. CASI chili show only - $35. Not open for public attendance. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Room opens at 6 pm. Turn-in 10 PM. Includes dinner, party favors & adult midnight toasting beverage. Tables and chairs provided Note-that there is limited space for show. Carry-in beverage of choice permitted. Please bring wrapped `acceptable' item for the white elephant raffle. Special room rate of $79 available for overnight stay. Contact hotel at 317.821.1100 and be sure to mention "chili" when you make your reservation. If you plan to party, please be safe and responsible. Contact Darin Jester 317.319.4961, flashoverchili@sbcglobal.net or Tonya Jester at 317.319.4962, crazyladychili@sbcglobal.net.







Dec 31, 2009-002 - Amarillo, TX CASI. TIT Pod Annual New Year's Eve CCO Held aat 517 W 48th. Entry fee $20 turn-in 8:30 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Bring snacks, friends, first time cooks cook for free Contact Scott Campbell 806-358- 3576, 4camkids@sbcglobal.net.






Dec 31, 2009-003 - Wichita Falls, TX CASI. B & B 3rd Annual Cookoff. Elks Lodge, 4505 Seymour Hwy. Benefits NOB Pod. Entry fee $20 turn-in 7 PM. Black eye pea cook off entry $10, turn-in 8 PM. 100% payback, $50 added money. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Contact Kevin Wooster 940-766-0794.






Jan 1, 2010-001 - Kingsland, TX CASI. Rusty's Cookoff at American Legion Post 437. December 31, New Years Eve Party. Plenty of Fun, Chili & Charity. Hot dogs furnished before the dance by Northwood Care Center & HLP. Am Legion dance $7.50 per person, BYOB including Beer-Setups available. Midnight Black-eye Peas and cornbread & champagne. WELCOME to our New Years Party and 3 day CCO. January 1st, chili grind only, entry fee $15 turn-in 2 PM. Blackeye Peas $5 turn-in Noon. Friday nights cooks party by Ladies Auxiliary. After meal, games & Social (bring quarters) Charity American Legion Post 437. Rusty was the person who got these CCO started many years ago. Who can guess how many community breakfast-biscuits, sausage & gravy. Ruby Ross 830- 693-3492 rross@nctv.com. See cookoffs on Jan 2nd & 3rd.






Jan 1, 2010-002 - Palmyra, VA CASI. 6th Annual Bearly Chili Cookoff. Date changed to January 2nd.






Jan 1, 2010-003 - Terrell, TX CASI. Able Springs Fire Station CCO. Held at 30000 FM 429 N, 12 miles north of Terrell. Party Thursday night at Able Springs Fire Station Friday Black Eye Peas turn-in 1 PM, entry $5 top 3. CASI chili entry $20 turn-in 2 PM. Benefits ASVFD. Make checks payable to ASVFD. RSVP for full hookups a $5 per day. CHILI GRIND ONLY. See cookoff next day. Contact Buddy Mann 972-533-5536 or email buddy.mann@nexbank.com or Larry 903-450-5541, roadwrkcb@aol.com.






Jan 2, 2010-001 - Kingsland, TX CASI. Ladies Auxiliary Cookoff Held at American Legion Post 437. Grind Only. Entry fee $15 turn-in 2 PM. Registration 9 to 11. Make checks payable to American Legion Post 437, Ladies Auxiliary. Community breakfast, contact Carrie Kinnison drk@tstar.net. Pot luck dinner. Games and Social. Get comfortable & wear your PJ's..bring quarters. Ruby Ross. rross@nctv.com, 830-693-3492 See cookoff next day.






Jan 2, 2010-002 - Palmyra, VA CASI. 6th Annual Bearly Chili Cookoff. This is the official Capital Pod Chili Cookoff of 2010. Held at Lake Monticello. Entry fee $20, includes annual membership in Capital Pod (checks payable to Roger Koltz). Benefits Lake Monticello Fire & Rescue Squad. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Turn-in at 2 P.M. Contact Roger or Jackie Koltz, 53 Ponderosa Lane, Palmyra, VA 22963. 434 589-5387. Contact Roger Cowboychili@cs.com or check Jackie's website (www.Pepperjacq.com) for announcement, directions, etc.






Jan 2, 2010-003 - Terrell, TX CASI. 2nd Day Able Springs Fire Station Held at 30000 FM 429 N, 12 miles north of Terrell. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY. See cookoff previous day. Contact Buddy Mann 972-533-5536 or email buddy.mann@nexbank.com or Larry 903-450-5541, roadwrkcb@aol.com.






Jan 3, 2010-001 - Kingsland, TX CASI. Just Because CCO. Held at American Legion Post 437. Chili grind only. Benefits HLP charities. Community breakfast, contact Carrie Kinnison drk@tstar.net. Turn-in 1 PM, entry fee $15. Ruby Ross 830-693- 3492, rross-nctv.com. Mark one or all of these dates on your calendar. If you have been to these CCO & party you will want to return. Lets Welcome the New Year in together!

I hope each of you have a great New Year's Eve and New Year's day.  This is going to be a Super Year for CASI.  Have a great celebration and please be safe.

Thanks to all of you who have sent our Family emails of support.  This is a very hard time for my Mom and the rest of us.  We have been told that the surgery for removing the tumor will be on the the surgery schedule tomorrow.  It is not definite as of yet.  They are still trying to find a time on the schedule.  I will post tonight if there is anything that needs to be posted.  THANKS to our Chili Family for your prays and support.  We have needed that and have felt your support and love.  There is no better group of people than all of you guys!  You are the GREATEST!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

From Carrie Kinnison:

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE HIGHLAND LAKES CHILI POD!

Doc and I are back from our Family Christmas in Red River New Mexico....and are getting ready for our guest in Kingsland, TX this weekend. Hope all had as wonderful Christmas as did we...and we look forward to bringing in the New Year with our Chili Family.


Make your plans now....you will not regret it....4 Days of Chili-Charity-Fun!


It's not too early or too late to make your plans to come join The Highland Lakes Pod and friends, celebrate and bring in The New Year, at The American Legion Post 437 in Kingsland, Texas, on December 31st thru Sunday-January 3rd. Plenty of RV parking (NO HOOKUPS) and lots of room for day cooks.

Thursday-Dec. 31st---American Legion New Year's Eve Party 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. $7.50 per person (chili cooks)-BYOB-setups available-Black-eyed peas, cornbread and champagne at midnight. Dress is nice casual or you can wear your party clothes. Hot dogs at 6:15 p.m. at The Kinnison camp furnished by Northwood Care Center and The Highland Lakes Pod.

Friday-Jan. 1st---Community breakfast (sausage gravy & biscuits) at 9 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Black-eyed peas $5 turn-in 12 noon. Chili $15 turn-in 2 p.m. chili grind only. Benefits American Legion Post 437. Cooks party Friday evening 6:30 p.m. chili time furnished by The Ladies Auxiliary. Friday evening games and social time...wear your PJ's if you like and bring your quarters.

Saturday-Jan. 2nd---Community breakfast (full breakfast) at 9 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Chili $15 turn-in 2 p.m. chili grind only benefiting American Legion Post 437 Ladies Auxiliary. Pot luck dinner Saturday evening 6:30 p.m. chili time. Games and social time again....get comfortable, wear your PJ's and bring your quarters.

Sunday-Jan. 3rd---Community breakfast (continental breakfast) at 9 a.m. registration starts at 9 a.m. Chili $15 turn-in 1 p.m. benefiting HLP charities.

If you have been to these CCO's and party you will want to return. Let's WELCOME the New Year in together. For more information call 713-615-2408 or 830-613-8666. THANKS AND LET'S HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

SEE YOU THERE

NOTE:  Please keep my Father and our Family in your prayers.  He started having balance problems in the last two weeks.  Yesterday he could not walk by himself.  The drs have found a Brain Tumor  on the Right Frontal Lobe.  They believe that it is Cancer.  Because of the fact that he is on Coumadin for his heart and his recent heart surgery, they will not be able to operate until they can get his blood thickened.  We expect for him to go to surgery later this week.  He is in good spirits and is prepared for what ever may happen.  He and my Mother have been married 67 years.  This is hard on her, but she also is prepared as best as she can be for the next step.  I will continue to get the blog printed each day, but it may not always be early in the morning.  Thanks for all the support that my family has had from our chili friends in the last couple of days.   Janice

Monday, December 28, 2009

From Jim Ezell:

I would like to announce a new sponsor.  Casa Fiesta Mexican Foods, a division of Bruce Foods has joined CASI as a new sponsor.  They will be the sponsor for the Bean cookoff at Terlingua in 2010.  We welcome them aboard.  Look for more information from them in the upcoming weeks!

From Donna Conrad:
Hope Everyone Had a Merry Christmas!

I will be in Kingsland next week end for the CCO. If anyone needs any H-E-B meat please give me a call NO LATER THE MONDAY 12/28/09. I will be happy to bring it to you.

Also as most of you know Dianne & I will be hosting the 2010 Great Peppers Meeting in Salado TX.. We will be selling Raffle tickets after the 1st of the year to win $1000.00 or a hand made quilt. Please contact me or Dianne if you would like to purchase some tickets. The cost is $5.00 for one or 5 for $20.00.

Donna's email dangergail@aol.com cell # 254-855-4733

Dianne's email winksintexas@aol.com cell # 254-855-2767

From Cynthia Gill:
The link below has all kinds of San Miguel information, like hotels and restaurants and how to travel to San Miguel for the International Chili Cookoff on January 30. Thought it might be helpful to those who are considering the trip.

Hope you are continuing to enjoy the holidays. See you south of the border!
http://sanmiguelinformation.blogspot.com/

From Vickie Childress:
One last reminder:  I just want to remind anyone interested in coming to the Tri-State Open Chili Championship.

The deadline for a chance to get in to the drawing for a free room is your registration must be post marked December 28th.

Thank you all and hope you have a safe & Happy New Year

Note:  Some people were having a problem seeing the You tube presentation  of Margaret Nadeau.  If you will click on the below address, it will take you to this presentation.  To get to Margaret's video, try this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZU5CqVGjs 

From Darin Jester:

One last reminder.  For those of you who are looking for something to do, Come ring in the New Year with you chili family and friends. The Hoosier Great Pepper's New Years Eve CCO, is looking for cooks, judges, and family and friends to ring in the New Year with. We are up to 36 cooks from 8 different states so far. If ya wanna come out and have a safe evening, RSVP to Tonya - crazyladychili@sbcglobal.net or me - flashoverchili@sbcglobal.net. Country Inn and Suites - 821-1100 has extended the block of rooms till 12/24. See the flyer for info here on the Indiana Pepper Pod FB page. Be safe, and have a joyfull hoidays. 

Notes:  Here's hoping that everybody had a wonderful Christmas Weekend.  Please mark your calendars for the weekend of January 16 and 17.  This will be the date of the CASI Winter Board Meeting.  It will be held at the Irving Elks in Irving, TX.  Saturday, January 16, will be the Workshop.  Everybody is invited to be a part of this session.  If you have information or ideas you would like for the board to address, this is your chance to introduce them.

On Sunday, January 17, we will have the Official Winter Board Meeting.  Everybody is invited to attend this session.  It will be our formal session.  It will be finished by noon. 

If you have information that you would like to share with the board or have topics that you would like to have addressed at either the Board Meeting or the Workshop, please send them to me as soon as possible.  I will be publishing a Tentative Agenda late next week for these meetings.

One more reminder:  Please send your CCO results to our new TallyMaster Jenny Windsor. Her address is


Jenny Windsor
210 Kennedy Drive
Severne Park, MD 21146















Friday, December 25, 2009

To get to Margaret's video, try this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZU5CqVGjs

Thursday, December 24, 2009

From Steve Nadeau:
Margaret was invited to appear on San Antonio's morning talk show "Great Day SA" on Monday. It was a fun segment and I think Margaret did an outstanding job! I have posted the video on youtube if you would like to see it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bZU5CqVGjs -Mr. Margaret

Cliff and I want to wish each of you a Merry Christmas.  We hope that each of you enjoy this weekend.  If you are traveling, please be safe.  May there be lots of presents under your tree and may you have a great Christmas meal and share a wonderful Christmas Day with someone you love.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

It is Wednesday and this week I have no CCOs to announce.

I want to bring your attention to the San Miguel CCO on Jan 30.  It is an International CCO and it will qualify the first 3 places.  See Information below.

Jan 30, 2010-002 - San Miguel Allende GU CASI. Guanajuato Mexico International Championship. First 3 winners qualify for TICC. San Miguel de Allende Guanajuato Mexico at the Real de Minas Hotel grounds. Benefits Centro de Crecimiento providing Rehabilitation and Education for disabled children. A International Championship which will qualify the 1st, 2nd, 3rd winners for TICC.  San Miguel de Allende is a picturesque Spanish Colonial City with Cobble Stone streets and breathe taking Mountain Vistas and is known as the land of Eternal Spring. There has been a CCO off at this location for 3 years. This year it will be a CASI sanctioned International Championship. Chili entry fee will be $22.00 or 300 pesos. Chili Grind only. There is a web site http://www.smachilicookoff.com/  with more information. Contact Cynthia Gill at 832 287 1912.

Just a reminder that you only have 2 shopping days until Christmas counting today!  Have a Great shopping day!  And if you are traveling today, Be safe.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

From Dianne Stimson:
Donna & I would like to THANK EVERYONE who came out to the 1st Santa Paws Chili cook off on Friday night the people from the Animal Birth Control Clinic did come out watched us cook and were VERY IMPRESSED ! They gave out great goody bags and trophies....Little doggie bone shaped tags like for your pet but bigger how cool. Saturday Toys for Tots had a good turn out. and Sunday was Tyson Foods and this year Jim Shilling and Heath where there from Tyson both were very impressed as well as most of you know they are responsible for the wings being donated for TICC as well as NUMEROUS other cook offs .....the weather was cold and windy...but we endured as we always do and had a wonderful time at the Hogcreek Ice house... if your ever just passing by stop in and try their food or have a cold one say "Hi" to Richard tell him your a CASI cook and thank him for letting us use his place he is a great guy. We are planning on holding more cook offs there in the future. I want to thank my head judge John Caffey. Tally crew, Billy Doss, James Bauer, Steve Ashman, David Lefler, Elke Jensen, Jason Kaehler, John Caffey, Donna Conrad and whoever else who helped. I know I am missing some and I apologize. My monitors, Francis & Johnnie Sullivan, John Caffey, Roger Foltz, Jim Ezell, Randy Duke, Table runners, Jennifer Collier, Pat Pilchick, Donna Conrad.....and of course all of the cooks who came out with out you we could not have had a successful cook off.........Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to all!


SANTA PAWS
FRIDAY 12-18-09
18 chilis judged


Chili


1. Traci Bond - Kerrville,TX
2. Kay Lefler - Bardwell, TX
3. Billy Doss - Georgetown, TX (Q)
4. Dianne Stimson - Crawford,TX (Q)
5. Sue Caffey - Rockdale,TX
6. Jennifer Collier - Temple,TX
7. David Lefler - Bardwell,TX
8. John Caffey - Rockdale,TX
9. David P. Lazarus - Killeen,TX
10. Stephanie Daugherty - Leander,TX




SHOW
1. Winks Surprise-Dianne Stimson, Crawford,TX
2. Tall Girl Frog-Sue Caffey, Rockdale,TX


TOYS FOR TOTS
SATURDAY 12-19-09
34 chilis judged


Chili


1. Johnnie Sullivan - Ennis,TX
2. Kevin Daugherty - Leander,TX
3. Jessie Waguespack - Austin,TX
4. Kay Lefler - Bardwell,TX
5. John Caffey - Rockdale,TX
6. Sue Caffey - Rockdale,TX
7. Randy Duke - Valley Mills,TX
8. Neal Doss - Georgetown,TX
9. David Lefler - Bardwell,TX
10. Traci Bond - Kerrville,TX


SHOW


1. Udderly Good Cow Killer Chili - Kay Lefler (Q), Bardwell,TX
2. Tall Girl Frog - Sue Caffey, Rockdale,TX
3. BB'S Chili - Jessie Waguespack, Austin,TX


TYSON FOODS FAVORITE CHARITY
SUNDAY 12-20-09


Chili


1. John Caffey- Rockdale,TX
2. Sue Caffey- Rockdale,TX
3. Steve Ashman- Bastrop,TX
4. Randy Duke - Valley Mills,TX
5. Angie Duke - Valley Mills,TX
6. David Lazarus - Killeen,TX
7. Stephanie Daugherty - Leander,TX
8. Sam Roberts- Arlington,TX
9. Dianne Stimson - Crawford,TX
10 Traci Bond- Kerrville,TX


SHOW


1. Aunt Donna's - Donna Conrad,Crawford,TX
2. Tall Girl Frog - Sue Caffey, Rockdale,TX


From Darin Jester:


Just wanting to wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and a safe holiday season. For those of you who are looking for something to do, Come ring in the New Year with you chili family and friends. The Hoosier Great Pepper's New Years Eve CCO, is looking for cooks, judges, and family and friends to ring in the New Year with. We are up to 36 cooks from 8 different states so far. If ya wanna come out and have a safe evening, RSVP to Tonya - crazyladychili@sbcglobal.net or me - flashoverchili@sbcglobal.net. Country Inn and Suites - 821-1100 has extended the block of rooms till 12/24. See the flyer for info here on the Indiana Pepper Pod FB page. Be safe, and have a joyfull hoidays.




From Vickie Childress:


I just want to remind anyone interested in coming to the Tri-State Open Chili Championship. 


Tthe deadline for a chance to get in to the drawing for a free room is your registration must be post marked December 28th. Merry Christmas to everyone.


Information for the Tri State Championship:
The Tri-State Open Chili Championship will be held in Amarillo, TX on January 9, 2010. The cook-off is held inside the Rex Baxter building on the Tri-State Fairgrounds. The cook-off benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Plains. Ground Meat only and turn in is 1 PM. Entry Fee is $25.00 with checks payable to the Tri-State Open. Mail entries to Vickie Childers 4300 Olsen, Amarillo, TX 79106. For those early registrations post marked on or before December 28, 2009 you have a chance in the drawing for a free room. The host hotels are Fifth Seasons Inn $49.00 at 6801 I-40 West 806.358.7881 and the Days Inn East $47.00 at 1701 E I-40 806.379.6255. Please ask for the Tri-State open or the Make-A-Wish Open rate. If you have any questions please contact Vickie Childers 806.355.7387 or e-mail me @ vickiefromtx@aol.com.



Also on Friday night, January 8, 2010, we will host out Pod cook-off in the same building. Ground Meat only and turn in is 8:30 PM entry fee $20.00. Make checks payable to Tall in Texas Pod and mailed to Vickie Childers. See address above. We will also have a cooks party and a meal on Friday night. Jr. cook-off Friday night entry fee $5.00 turn in 7:30. Kids cook in a supervised area. These are great cook-off hope to see you there.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Results from Blanco's Bar & Grill. Houston TX


What a great day we had in Houston. The rain that we have had for weeks finally came to and end on Thursday and we had a beautiful day on Saturday. The weather was great, we had 47 cooks and 5 show teams. Everyone was in the holiday spirit...or at least holiday spirits with them. I would like to thank Karin Barnes and the staff at Blanco's for a great time. Thanks to the tally team, Ralph Hay, Sherrie Davis, Chuck and Dorothy Spishock. Thanks to my referee Mayo Blair. A special thanks to Pat Krenek ,Maxine Reed, Larry and Nancy Netardus for running the silent auction. Thanks to Al Austin and Sherry Tinnerella for helping out with announcements. Thanks to all the runners, monitors and workers that helped out. Without all of you, I wouldn't have been able to sit back and watch. That's such hard work you know. In reality, we all had a wonderful time. We had many chili friends come in from Beaumont, Cedar Park, Kingsland, Louisianna, and the far reaches of the Guld Coast area to share a wonderful day with us. and we had got a special suprise right before juding started. We had a celebrity judge on our final table; for you basketball fans out there you will understand the exicitement....we had Rudy Tomjanovich...Rudy T on the final table. For non-basketball fans out there....Rudy T was the coach of the Houston Rockets during the back to back championship wins and the attempt for the three-peat.


Thanks again everyone for a wonderul day.


2nd Annual Friends of Texas Open
Blanco's Bar & Grill
Houston TX


47 chilis judged


1st Place Roy Davis, Pasadena TX
2nd Place Jana Daily, Cedar Park TX
3rd Place Nancy Draper, Katy TX
4th Place Vicki Hebert, Pearland TX
5th Place Sherrie Davis, S Houston TX
6th Place Della Leonard, Bellaire TX (Her first point ever)
7th Place Deborah Benefield, League City, TX
8th Place Malcolm Williams, Beaumont TX
9th Place Michael Mayorga, Magnolia TX
10th Place Donna Foley, Galveston TX


Show
5 Show Teams


1st Place, Lone Star Chili Chix, Pat Krenek, Houston 2nd Place, One More Foggy Bottom, Jim Conley, Round Rock TX
3rd Place, Oilfield Trash, Larry Hammock, Houston TX


From Cythnia Gill:
Mark your calendars for January 30 and plan on joining us in San Miguel, Mexico for our 1st CASI International CCO.  This CCO is incorrect in the Dec and Jan Terlinqua Trails.  It is not a State CCO, but an International CCO.  The first 3 places will qualify for TICC.  The website for our cookoff was incorrectly listed (not CASI's fault - it was the fault of our web hosting company) - it's http://www.chiliandcharros.com/.   There will be lots of activities and lots of fun.  If you have questions, you can contact me at ynlynn@aol.com or Lisa Tyson at guanajuatochica@gmail.com 


NOTE:  Please send your CCO results to our new TallyMaster Jenny Windsor.  Her address is
Jenny Windsor
210 Kennedy Drive
Severne Park, MD 21146

Friday, December 18, 2009

Yesterday afternoon I spoke to Ken Rodd.  

A couple of days ago he had an accident while he was cooking wing outside on his stove.  His stove was accidentally hit and the pan started to fall.  He tried to catch it and keep it on the stove.  As he did, the hot grease poured on to his hands causing sevre burning of the palms of both hands.  One of the observers went into the Office and called 911.  He was taken to the hospital where they treated the burns.  He doesn't remember much of what happened.  They did release him with pain medication and some other medication.  He has to return to the Wound Center every couple of days where they debred (remove the skin) and rerap it.  He is still in a lot of pain and is not able to do much.  They will have to continue to reevalutate his hands and the skin.  It was in good spirits, but said he wouldn't be capable of doing much for quite a while.  He has learned to play solitare on his computer.  He can do very little.  He told me it would be a while before he would be cooking Chili again.

From Carrie Kinnison:
HO! HO! HO! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL FROM THE HIGHLAND LAKES CHILI POD

Another Reminder About the New Years CCO In Kingsland, Texas! Make your plans now....you will not regret it....4 Days of Chili-Charity-Fun!

It's not too early or too late to make your plans to come join The Highland Lakes Pod and friends, celebrate and bring in The New Year, at The American Legion Post 437 in Kingsland, Texas, on December 31st thru Sunday-January 3rd. Plenty of RV parking (NO HOOKUPS) and lots of room for day cooks.

Thursday-Dec. 31st---American Legion New Year's Eve Party 8 p.m. - 1 a.m. $7.50 per person (chili cooks)-BYOB-setups available-Black-eyed peas, cornbread and champagne at midnight. Dress is nice casual or you can wear your party clothes. Hot dogs at 6:15 p.m. at The Kinnison camp furnished by Northwood Care Center and The Highland Lakes Pod.

Friday-Jan. 1st---Community breakfast (sausage gravy & biscuits) at 9 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Black-eyed peas $5 turn-in 12 noon. Chili $15 turn-in 2 p.m. chili grind only. Benefits American Legion Post 437. Cooks party Friday evening 6:30 p.m. chili time furnished by The Ladies Auxiliary. Friday evening games and social time...wear your PJ's if you like and bring your quarters.

Saturday-Jan. 2nd---Community breakfast (full breakfast) at 9 a.m. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Chili $15 turn-in 2 p.m. chili grind only benefiting American Legion Post 437 Ladies Auxiliary. Pot luck dinner Saturday evening 6:30 p.m. chili time. Games and social time again....get comfortable, wear your PJ's and bring your quarters.

Sunday-Jan. 3rd---Community breakfast (continental breakfast) at 9 a.m. registration starts at 9 a.m. Chili $15 turn-in 1 p.m. benefiting HLP charities.

If you have been to these CCO's and party you will want to return. Let's WELCOME the New Year in together. The COMMUNITY BREAKFAST is for all to share and to give us all a Jump Start for the day. Please sign up to contribute to the breakfast with Carrie Kinnison (drk@tstar.net). Bring your items to Carrie early so that she can make a store run if necessary. Volunteers to help are welcomed. THANKS AND LET'S HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

SEE YOU THERE!

From Dana Plocheck:
The January Terlingua Trails is available for viewing on the CASI Web Site.

Once again I would like to remind you that we have a new TallyMaster.  Please send you CCO Results information to Jenny Windsor at 210 Kennedy Drive, Severne Park, MD 21146,

It Friday again (TGIF).  Here's hoping you all have a great weekend.  I know that most of you will not be cooking chili since there are only a few CCOs.  Many of you will begin you Holiday travel.  Please be careful and stay safe.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

From Steve Nadeau:
Margaret has been invited to appear on KENS 5 morning talk show, "Great Day SA" on Monday 12/21. If you are in the San Antonio area and would like to come out and support Margaret, please let me know. They have a studio audience and ask for the names of the people attending. The show will appear live from 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM. Margaret will be doing a short cooking segment and given the opportunity to talk about CASI and her 2 TICC wins. -Mr. Margaret (again)

From Barbara Herrin:

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM RECIPIENTS



It is time to remind Scholarship Program recipients of their part in receiving scholarship funds. As taken from the CASI National Scholarship Program Policy Recipients: Recipients must obtain at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale and carry a minimum of 12 hours or be considered by the registrar to be a full-time student.

Note: If recipient’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.5 or if the recipient fails to register as a full-time student for the semester, the recipient will be placed on probation for one semester. If probationary issues are not corrected within the following semester, the remaining scholarship funds allotted to the recipient will be forfeited.

Recipients will receive $500 for the fall semester and upon proving grade and enrollment requirements will receive the remaining scholarship monies at the rate of $500 per semester. Recipients will prove grade and enrollment requirements by submitting a copy of their semester grades to the Program Administrator no later than the second week of the month following completion of the semester (January for the fall semester and June for the spring semester).

Barbara Herrin, Program Administrator
7291 FM 380
Paint Rock, Texas 76866
herrinbarbara@aol.com
325-732-4292

I realize that this is the first semester that we are trying to place the responsibility in the laps of the recipient, but I do feel that this is not a hardship on the student. With the help of CASI members, the recipients should be able to do this in the allotted time. After all, most scholarships ask for this same information in order to continue funding the student.

Thanks in advance for everyone’s help in this matter.

Barbara Herrin
Program Administrator

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM APPLICATIONS



The time is drawing near for scholarship applications to be due. I would like to take time to remind the Great Pepper/Pod Representative of what needs to be done. The information for the policy and the application can be found in the Resource Center on the CASI webpage. Beginning this year, CASI is awarding scholarships for both trade/technical and academic institutions. We need to get the word out to those students who would benefit from both of these kinds of scholarships. It really is up to us members to get the word out and encourage students to apply. I have suggested that those students applying for the scholarships make contact with the Great Pepper/Pod Representative by Jan. 15th so that the Great Pepper/Pod Representative can make sure all information that is required is present with the application. There is a checklist on the bottom of the application that the Great Pepper/Pod Representative can use to make sure all items are present. The application will then need to be postmarked to the Program Administrator (address on application) by Feb. 1, 2010. Hopefully, again this year we will have a large number of applications to choose from. Thank you for all your help in making the Scholarship Program a success.

Barbara Herrin
Program Administrator

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

From Earl "Who" Gorham:
Well folks the first Annual Magnolia Hometown Chili Cookoff in Magnolia Texas is history and a great success.

In all 39 cooks Local and CASI braved a chilly and misty rain day to gather in tight company to comopete for that 1st place trophy.

The tight company made it great to get to know your neighbor and meet everyone.

Winners are
1st Vicki Hebert, Pearland, TX
2nd Sherrie Davis, South Houston, TX
3rd Ken Armand, Houston, TX
4th Michael Mayorga, Magnolia, TX
5th Dee Hay, Pasadena, TX
6th Nancy Draper, Katy, TX
7th Deborah Vigare-Benefield, League City, TX
8th Nancy Netardus, Houston, TX
9th James Benefield, League City, TX
10th Susan Armand, Houston, TX

SHOW
1st Keith Karaff, NDC Chili, Magnolia, TX
2nd Ronnie Bealle, Wild Beales Chili, Magnolia, TX
3rd Jo Quist, Jo Mama Chili, Houston, TX

The cooks fed chili and entertained a crowd of 2 to 3 thousand public out to enjoy the Christmas Festival.

The city and the chamber were impressed with the CASI cooks and all those who helped make this a successs and plans are already being made to expand and improve this event for next year and are asking for any suggestions and comments.

This will be a great event to mark on your calendars for next year.

From Keith Karaff:
The weather forecast should be perfect for a "steaming, hot bowl of red" on the eve of the beginning of Winter this Saturday, December 19th. So be at Blanco's Bar & Grill on West Alabama just W. of Buffalo Speedway off of U.S. Hwy. 59 for a Chili Cookoff.

Come on out...
...to judge - turn in is at 1 p.m. We can always use judges!
...to cook - Chili Grind Only, entry fee is $20.
...to visit - we always like to see old friends and make new friends.
...or just to take a break from your Christmas shopping outing - stop by for a cold adult beverage while giving your feet a rest.

We will also have a silent auction so if you have any duplicate, unwanted, wrong size gifts - Christmas, Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary or others - bring them, it might be just the item someone else wants!

Blanco's is having a private party that evening so the cookoff should be over around 4 p.m. That still gives you plenty of time for other plans - make it to your Christmas Party, continue shopping, visit with family or whatever.

Hope to see you at Blanco's!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !
Keith D Karaff


From Carrie Kinneson:
Breakfast Menu for Kingsland-Breakfast served at 9 a.m.

This is a community breakfast for all of us to share and to give us all a jump start for the day. Please sign up to contribute for the breakfast. Bring your items to Carrie early so that she can make a store run if necessary. Need volunteers to help cook and cleanup.


It is Wednesday and time for me to post the CCOs for this weekend.  There are many, so most of us will be taking a weekend off.  This will give you time to do your Christmas Shopping.


Dec 18, 2009-001 - Woodway, TX CASI. Santa Paws Cookoff will be Friday night at Hog Creek Ice House 6900 N Hwy 6 & 185, easy to find. Turn in time 9:00 pm Entry $18.00. Chili Grind only. Toys For Tots will be Saturday. 12/19/09. Turn in time 2:00 PM Entry $18.00, Chili Grind only. Cooks Party Saturday night. See Next day 12/20/09 cook off for Tyson's (TICC Sponsor) Favorite Charity. Plenty of RV Parking NO HOOK UPS.For more information please call Donna @ 254-855-4733 or Dianne @ 254-855- 2767. Cook inside in bad weather. This is great.
 Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Waco is offering a reasonable room rate. Our property is located on I-35 near downtown and a pretty easy drive out to Hog Creek. Our regular rates are about $69 plus tax but I would like to offer anyone that calls from the CCO a rate of $60 plus tax. I realize that while this isn't a huge discount, it is much cheaper than a lot of places in the area. We offer free Wi-fi and wired access internet service as well as a deluxe continential breakfast. In addition, the winner's room will be comped and the runner-up's room will be discounted 50%. If you have any questions at all feel free to contact me at any of the numbers listed below. I look forward to helping in any way that I can. Thanks and have a wonderful day!
Dec 19, 2009-001 - Woodway, TX CASI. Toys For Tots Held at Hog Creek Ice House, 6900 N Hwy 6 & 185. Plenty of RV parking no hookups. Cook inside in bad weather. Entry fee $18 turn-in 2 PM. Chili grind only. Make checks payable to Toys for Tots/Chili cook off. Contact Dianne Stimson 254-855-2767, 254- 486-9206, winksintexas@aol.com.


Dec 19, 2009-002 - Houston, TX CASI. 2nd Annual Friends of Texas Open Chili Cookoff. Held at Blanco's Bar and Grill. Turn-in 1:00 pm. CHILI GRIND ONLY. Entry fee is $20.00. This was a lot of fun last year. Even the weather cooperated that day. Bring your holiday spirit and come see us. There is limited RV parking in the back parking lot however Blanco's will not be open to the public. They are having a private party that evening. So even if you have an evening holiday party, there is plenty of time to come out and play with us. For more information, you can contact Keith Karaff at kdkone@aol.com. Hope to see you there.


Dec 20, 2009-001 - Woodway, TX CASI. Tyson Foods Favorite Charity cook off will be held the next day after Toys For Tots. Held at Hog Creek Ice House, 6900 N. Hwy 6 & 185. RV parking no hookups. Cook inside in bad weather. For more information please contact Dianne Stimson @ 254-855-2767 or 254-486-9206. Entry fee $18 turn- in 1 PM. Chili grind only. Make checks payable Tyson Foods Next Day Cookoff.










Tuesday, December 15, 2009

From Ron Barnes:
Results from the December 12th and 13th Irving Elk’s Lodge CCO’s:

Saturday, 12-12-09
Chili (44 judged)

1. Delores Sanders - Arlington (Q)
2. Gary Brignon - Ennis (Q)
3. Ron Barnes - Euless
4. Patrick Sullivan - Mansfield
5. Frances Sullivan - Ennis
6. Ray Calhoun - Waxahachie
7. Susan Spencer - Irving
8. Doris Coats - Irving
9. Danny “Duke” Strunc - Ennis
10. Jennifer Moore - Irving (1st chili point)

Show:
1. Bull Rush - Ginny Williams - Irving
2. Lair of the Fox - Toni Bowman - Rowlett
3. Unclaimed

Elk’s Division:
1. Paul Seastrunk - Garland Elks
2. Bob Coats - Irving Elks
3. Toni Bowman - Garland Elks

Beans:
1. Kelly Brignon - Ennis
2. Tina Barnes - Euless
3. Bob Coats - Irving

Sunday, 12-13-09
Chili (20 judged)

1. Tom Dozier - Irving (Q)
2. Susie Herrin - Irving
3. Sharon Neff - Irving
4. Paul Seastrunk - Garland
5. David Sexton, Jr. - Dallas
6. Bruce Stewart - Hurst (Q)
7. Ron Baker - Ennis
8. Shirley Sexton - Dallas
9. Dru Stewart - Hurst
10. Tina Barnes - Euless

Show
1. Dream Catcher - TJ Friedel - Irving
2. Lair of the Fox - Toni Bowman - Rowlett
3. Hard Hat Chili - Darrell Baxter - Grand Prairie

From Jim Ezell"
Please welcome our newest sponsor.
Guitar Reranch
Bill Lester
605 Pebble Creek
Garland, TX 75040
972 495 2074
website: http://reranch.com/

The official guitar rebuilder and provider for CASI.

From Econo Lodge in Waco, TX
Howdy! My name is Jerome and I'm the Guest Services Manager at the Econo Lodge Inn & Suites in Waco. I came across your blog for this weekend's chili cook off at the Icehouse and wanted to see if I could help your participants with a reasonable room rate. Our property is located on I-35 near downtown and a pretty easy drive out to Hog Creek. Our regular rates are about $69 plus tax but I would like to offer anyone that calls from the CCO a rate of $60 plus tax. I realize that while this isn't a huge discount, it is much cheaper than a lot of places in the area. We offer free Wi-fi and wired access internet service as well as a deluxe continential breakfast. In addition, the winner's room will be comped and the runner-up's room will be discounted 50%. If you have any questions at all feel free to contact me at any of the numbers listed below. I look forward to helping in any way that I can. Thanks and have a wonderful day!


Sincerely,

Jerome Lauderdale
Guest Services Manager
Econo Lodge Inn & Suites Waco
Phone: (254) 752-1991
Fax: (254) 752-2084
http://wacoeconolodge.com/

Monday, December 14, 2009

From Donna Conrad:

HO HO HO There's a Chili Cook Off Coming to Hog Creek Ice House This Coming Week End Dec. 18th, 19th & 20th.


Friday Night Dec. 18th Santa Paws CCO / Benefiting The Waco Birth Control Animal Clinic / Turn in Time 9:00 PM / Entry $18.00 / Chili Grind Only.


Sat. Dec.19th Toys For Tots CCO / Turn in Time 2:00 PM / Entry $18.00 / Chili Grind Only.


Santa Will Wrap Things Up On Sunday Dec. 20th With Tyson Food's Favorite Charity The Special Olympics Program.Turn In Time 1:00 PM / Entry $18.00 / Chili Grind Only. Tyson Foods is a Sponsor of TICC & The Great Peppers Meeting for the last 6 years. There will be Tyson Rep's at the cook off on Sat. & Sunday. Please give them a warm welcome.


Hog Creek Ice House is @ 6900 Hwy 6 & 185 Woodyway, TX. Plenty of room for RV's & Day Trippers, NO HOOK UP's. If you haven't been to Hog Creek Ice House you don't know what your missing, Just ask Mama Sue.


We have lots of New and Exciting Happing's. Load Up Your Sleigh And Come Join The Fun. For Those of you that would like to come and don't have a place to stay, LaQuinta Inn & Suites on Hwy 84 in Waco is giving CASI cookers a room rate of $95.00 + tax. ( they are regular $ 149.00 + tax). Give them a call @ 254-772-0200. Just tell them your a chili cook,


You can come in as early as Thursday. For more information call 254-855-4733 or 254-855-2767.


Hope to see Yall There.

From Dana Plocheck:
Reminder – the deadline for the January Trails is tomorrow, December 15th. Please get your articles to me as soon as possible. Thank you, Dana

From Vickie Childress:
Just a reminder for those thinking about attending the Tri-State Open Chili Championship in Amarillo, TX on January 9, 2010. The cook-off is held inside the Rex Baxter building on the Tri-State Fairgrounds. The cook-off benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Plains. Ground Meat only and turn in is 1 PM. Entry Fee is $25.00 with checks payable to the Tri-State Open. Mail entries to Vickie Childers 4300 Olsen, Amarillo, TX 79106. For those early registrations post marked on or before December 28, 2009 you have a chance in the drawing for a free room. The host hotels are Fifth Seasons Inn $49.00 at 6801 I-40 West 806.358.7881 and the Days Inn East $47.00 at 1701 E I-40 806.379.6255. Please ask for the Tri-State open or the Make-A-Wish Open rate. If you have any questions please contact Vickie Childers 806.355.7387 or e-mail me @ vickiefromtx@aol.com.

Also on Friday night, January 8, 2010, we will host out Pod cook-off in the same building. Ground Meat only and turn in is 8:30 PM entry fee $20.00.  Make checks payable to Tall in Texas Pod and mailed to Vickie Childers. See address above. We will also have a cooks party and a meal on Friday night. Jr. cook-off Friday night entry fee $5.00 turn in 7:30. Kids cook in a supervised area. These are great cook-off hope to see you there.

From Diane Stimson:

We now have 2 more HEB cook offs behind us and YES, they are once AGAIN ALREADY talking about NEXT YEARS cook off.....LOL so mark your calendars NOW .....I would like to thank my Head Judge for both days, John Caffey, my tally crew's Billy Doss, Jason Kaehler, Steve Ashman, Doc Kinnison, Carrie Kinnison & John Caffey. My monitors, Alan Dean and Doc Kinnison....and Pat Pilchiek for helping run tables and marking cups.....and of course all of the cooks who came out and cooked and supported HEB, and of course Donna Conrad for getting HEB involved to begin with. I am sure I have forgotten someone and I apologize if I have, we had cold & wet weather on Saturday, but Sunday turned out to be a fairly nice day! So on to the results.......

SATURDAY 12-12-2009
21 chilis judged

1. David Lefler - Bardwell,TX (Q)
2. Jennifer Collier - Temple,TX
3. Sue Caffey - Rockdale,TX
4. Kay Lefler - Bardwell,TX
5. Steve Ashman - Bastrop,TX
6. Dianne Stimson - Crawford,TX
7. Neal Doss - Georgetown,TX
8. Randy Duke - Valley Mills,TX
9. Donna Conrad - Crawford,TX
10. Raymond Pilchiek - Bluffton,TX

SHOW

1. Tall Girl Frog - Sue Caffey, Rockdale,TX
2. Winks Surprise - Dianne Stimson, Crawford,TX
3. One More Foggy Bottom - Chyann Lenn, Round Rock,TX

Sunday 12-13-2009
19 chilis judged

1. Dianne Stimson - Crawford,TX
2. Kay Lefler - Bardwell,TX (Q)
3. Angie Duke - Valley Mills,TX
4. Steve Ashman - Bastrop,TX
5. Jason Kaehler - Temple,TX
6. David P. Lazarus - Killeen,TX
7. Raymond Pilchiek - Bluffton,TX
8. Elke Jensen - Killeen,TX
9. John Caffey - Rockdale,TX
10. Randy Duke - Valley Mills,TX

SHOW

1. One More Foggy Bottom - Chyann Lenn, Round Rock,TX
2. Tall Girl Frog - Sue Caffey, Rockdale,TX
3. Spine Tingling Chili - Carrie Kinnison, Marble Falls,TX

From Larry Wampler:

It was The Pearl Harbor Day, VFW Post #2559 CCO, in West Tawakoni, TX. I want to thanks the 16 cooks, that braved the 40 degree weather and misting rain to cook. Thanks to the people from Shreveport, for cooking both days. There will a 2 day, CCO in June 12th & 13th.  There are some Elec. RV, hoop-ups.

CASI Chili

1-Judy Russell = Shreveport, LA
2-Glenda Vrbg= Waco, TX
3-Jerry Hunt= Shreveport, La=Q
4-Pat Langley=Garland, TX
5-Renee Griffin=Arp, TX
6-Larry Russell=Shreveport, TX
7-Jack Shultz=West Tawakoni, TX
8-Paul Seastrunic= Garland, TX
9- Larry Wampler= Terrell, TX
10-Jonathan (Spud) Griffin= Arp, TX (long ride home, first time for Renee to beat him)

Show
1-Chili Diva=Nancy Hewlett=Murphy, TX=Q
2- Roadwarrior's Roadkill Chili Brew=Larry Wampler=Terrell, Tx=Q
3-Hells Fury=Shirley Sexton=Dallas, TX