From Raymond Pilcheck:

This is to let you know that Pat has a new melanoma tumar that is behind the eye socket. The doctors that have been treating say that they cant do any more radiation on her. Now they are trying to get her into MD Anderson in houston. We will let you know what they are going to do. Please pass this on to all our chili friends and keep her in your prayers.

From Earl "Who" Gorhum:

I have had several people recently ask me about Piney Woods Pod's future. As some of ya'll may have heard we lost our Secretary and Treasurer with The move of Bob and Ava Horan to North Carolina. I am happy to inform everyone that PWP is not going away anytime soon. We had a short meeting after Space City Pod cookoff and laid out the plans for our Pod. Sherrie Davis has agreed to be the interim Sec and Treasurer for the rest of this year. We will have our elections later this month and will be going stong. Thanks for all those who expressed concern.
See ya down the trail.

Earl Who? Gorhum GP

From Jessie Waguespack

We want to invite you to SOT's 29th Annual CCO this weekend in Jonestown. Come join us for some fun! We’ve got a pizza party planned for Friday evening. The pizzas will be made right on site, so they’ll be fresh and hot right out of the oven.

If you want to contribute to the feed, Hors devours or deserts would be welcomed.

Tito's is providing the Vodka and Nigel and Lynn will either make you stomp your feet or get up and dance.

John Caffey and his crew will feed us breakfast on Saturday and Sunday along with Mimosa's and Bloody Mary's.

Don't forget something for the Pot Luck on Saturday.

Bring some extra cash so you can win some extra cash. There will be a Cadillac Auction, and of course a silent auction.

Try your hand at Beans and Salsa and you may leave with a wad of money.

The park is located on Beautiful Lake Travis and we have Beautiful Stained Glass Texas trophies to add to your collection. Here is a link to the hotels nearby. http://www.hotels-rates.com/Cedar_Park/TX/usa/

If you want to MapQuest to Jones Bros. Park, use this address: 10610 Lakeside Dr. Jonestown, TX 78645. Follow the signs to the park from 1431. If you still need assistance, call us and we'll come and get you. :) 512-699-6687 or 512-297-6687

From Dave Hewlett:

Bruce Stewart indicated that Mel Neff is now going to have Open Heart Surgery sometime next week. He may go home until then but that is not firm yet. Our best to Mel is his hour of need.

NOTE: Remember that I need all the information that you would like to have in the blog between Thursday, June 11 until Friday, June 19. Cliff and I will be out of the country and I do not think that I will have any email access. I need everything by noon Wednesday (tomorrow).

NOTE: Cliff and I are leaving town before dawn on Thursday. We will be out of the country for 9 days returning on June 19. I will probably not have access to a computer or internet. If you could send me anything that needs to be posted by noon on Wed I will ensure that it is posted.

Remember that the Board of Directors have a meeting in Little Rock on June 27. It will be held at the VFW 9095 which is located at 1121 Gamble Rd, Little Rock AR.

If you are entering the Poster Contest, please have your entry to me either by mail or electronically by June 20.

From the Space City CCO:
68 cooks
1. Vern Gilpin
2. Roy Davis
3. Lil Drake
4. Ray Dailey
5. James Bauer
6. Sherrie Davis
7. Dana Plocheck
8. Alan Dean
9. Helen Conley
10. Maxine Reed

Show
1. Texas Proud Rednecks
2. Buzzard Bar - Brent Alan
3. Murphy's Magic n- Annie Murphy

12 omelets
1. Ed Blair
2. Vern Gilpin
3. Lynn Delgado

28 Beans
1. Keith Karaff
2. Ed Nesbitt
3. Mayo Blair

From the Mason Dixson Pod
The 24th Annual MDP Pod Backyard Chili Cook Off
The MDP will be holding its Annual Pod Cook Off and Pod elections on July 25th in a wondrous backyard full of trees, grass and a swimming pool. So bring your chili recipes, your cooking gear and your bathing suit and earn some more points for TICC.

Pod will supply beverages, both soft and adult varieties, burgers, dogs & salads. As great cooks you are invited to cook whatever you'd like to add to the spread .... but no chili. Our chili will be judged by new friends from all walks of life who will be sharing the afternoon with us.

Elections for Pod positions will be held around 4:30 after awards are announced. This year we are looking for new faces to bring spirit and dedication to the running of our growing Pod & to plan for the upcoming cook offs.

Schedule
Set up 8:30 - 10:00
Cooks Meeting 10:00
Turn-In 2:00pm
Awards 3:30 pm
Pod Elections 3:30 - 4:00pm

First time cooks ..... Join CASI & MDP and your competition fee is waived ... another $20 savings.

And there is a chance that Alex's Breakfast Bar will be open for early arrivals 8-9 am ... chili eggs, more bacon, bagels and cream cheese, and fortified juice ......

Location9701 Watts Branch DriveRockville, MarylandGoogle Map to CCOQuestions / DirectionsMason Dixon Pod301.938.4969

It's Friday and here we are at another weekend. It's again time to cook chili.

From Donna Conrad:
ATTN: Chili Cooks, I have been getting phone calls and emails about the H-E-B Ground Beef for Chili ( 75/25 ) telling me that they are not able to get it at their H-E-B. The Market Managers are telling them they no longer carry it or can't get it. This statement is not true. If you need the meat and your store is telling you they no longer carry it, please give me a call or email me with the store location and who you spoke with. I'm working on getting this corrected. In the mean time I will be coming to SOTPOD cook off next week end and I will be happy to take your order and bring it to you. The cost is $2.88 per pack or $34.56 per case. BUT PLEASE, have your order to me by next Tuesday. After that I can't promise you will get your meat. I know some of you don't use the 75/25, so if you want the 80/20 I can and would be happy to bring it to you.The 80/20 is $2.79 per pack or $33.48 per case. I'm sorry for the inconvenience and I will get this corrected soon.My cell 254-855-4733 email Dangergail@aol.com or call Dianne @ 254-855-2767.Thank you.

If you are still thinking about being a candidate for the special election, remember that your application must be sent to me by June 10. It can be sent electronically.

Here's hoping that everybody has a great weekend and that the Chili God is good to each of you.

From Bob and Doris Coats:

Please welcome a new spoon to the mix. I am referring to the Dale Reinecker announcement on his intention to seek election to the BOD.

Doris and I had approached Dale in the past concerning our desire to see him seek election to the BOD.

It is refreshing to see a candidate that has this commitment to CASI. Being willing to go against the grain and question the status quo. To openly question the direction the BOD has taken in its’ organization is something that has not taken in the past. New candidates have normally taken the position of being non-specific as to what they have in mind for CASI.

Dale is very well qualified and would be an asset to the Board of Directors.

Bob and Doris Coats

I want to remind everybody that the Poster Contest is still on going. You must have your entry to me by June 20. Here is the information again about this contest.

Poster Rules and Guidelines

CASI is looking for a unique, creative design that embodies the essence of TICC and CASI.

Artwork must be original and should include bold colors.

The dimensions of the two posters will be 18” X 24” and 11” X 17”. Submissions do not need to be that size, but they must maintain that proportion. The 11” x 17” poster is an informational poster. Copies of last years posters will be made available in PDF format upon request. These posters may be used as a guideline for some of the content required in the design.

Winning designs may also be used for souvenir TICC shirts.

All entries should include in the title, “43 Annual Terlingua International Chili Championship”, and the date, “November 7, 2009”. It must also list the names of the current Board members and include the CASI logo.

Designs may be sent electronically in a standard graphic format (PDF or JPG) or may be a hard copy, suitable for scanning.

Pictures of last year’s winners and sponsor logos will be made available and must be added to the poster design before printing. Changes to the wording and design may be requested by the Board.

If selected, the artwork becomes the sole property of CASI and the Terlingua International Chili Championship and may or may not be used in any manner CASI desires. The winning designer will receive credit with their name included on the final product.

Submission deadline will be June 20th. Entries must be sent to Janice Miller, 3014 Oak Mountain Trail, San Angelo, TX 76904 or garjans@suddenlink.net. Winning entries will be chosen at the Board of Directors Meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas on June 27, 2008.

The Credential Annual Report packages are all out. Thanks to all of those Great Peppers that responded to my emails and accept the package electronically this year. I only had to mail out 15 packages. That was a large savings in printing, envelopes and stamps.

Remember that they are due as soon as possible, but no later than August 15.

From David Sexton:

Calling all chili cooks. Hitch-up your wagons and head for Fort Worth for the 33rd Cowtown CASI CCO on Saturday, June 20 held at Cabela’s, exit 65 on I-35W.

Cookoff benefits the DFW Center for Autism. Plenty of room for chuck wagons of all sizes (no hookups), day cooks and show team setups. Lots of activities planned in conjunction with Cabela’s Kids Day/Father’s Day weekend festivities. Stay for the day after cookoff on Sunday. Friday arrivals encouraged and a cook’s dinner Friday night.

CASI rules, chili grind only. Adult entry $20, turn-in 1PM. First place wins a Painted stove and airfare/hotel to cook at the St.Thomas Virgin Island cookoff. Famous Cowtown branding iron trophies for top 10 chilis and top 3 show teams.

Also, 3rd annual North Texas Junior Chili Championship (ages 8-17). Entry fee $8, turn-in noon. Junior winner receives a painted stove and guided deer hunt through the Texas Youth Hunters program.

Trophies for top 10 places.

Goody bags for first 100 registered. You can get you registration form on our website Cowtowncasi.org we still have a few spots open for the Goody bags!

Hotel accommodations ½ mile north of Cabela’s at Hampton Inn & Suites. Call 817-439-0400 and ask for the special Cowtown CCO rate.

For more information contact David Sexton at cowtowngp@tx.rr.com.

From Shirley Stateczny

Debbie LaLanne had arthroscopic knee surgery a couple of weeks ago. She was at home and doing O.K. until she got blood clots in her leg last week. She is now in the Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. If you would like to send her a card, her address is – P.O. Box 63343, Pipe Creek, Tx 78063. Please keep her in your prayers.

From Pat Krenek:

Below is a flyer on the Space City Pod's annual chili cookoff this coming Saturday at Blanco's Bar & Grill on W. Alabama. Come out to cook or Come out to judge - chili, beans and/or omelette. Or just come out to have a good time!There will be a Silent Auction so if you should have any items you would like to donate, please bring them. (See Sharon Dozier at the cookoff.) If you don't have anything to donate, I'm sure you can find some great items to bid on to take home with you.

All the proceeds are benefiting a great charity - The Laura Recovery Center.Hope ya can make it!!!

It is Wednesday and time to Post this weeks CCOs.

Jun 6, 2009-001 - Midland, TX CASI. Midland Big Cats Cookoff Cancelled.

Jun 6, 2009-002 - Organ, NM CASI. Bud's Backyard CCO. This is a NMCS Pod CCO. Held at 15770 Furnace St. Exit Hwy 70 east on 4th Street (look for the "Post Office" sign). Travel north to the second stop sign and turn left. Look for the US Flag. Possible cooks pot luck on Friday evening (depends on the cooks). Special goodie bags for the 1st 15 cooks to sign up and pay the entry fee. Bloody Mary morning at 8:00 am. Lunch at noon. Limited dry camping is available on site. Entry fee $20 turn-in 2 PM. Make checks payable to New Mexico Chili Society. Contact Bud Barrick 575-382-5107 teamorgan@peoplepc.com.

Jun 6, 2009-003 - Queen Creek, AZ CASI. 6th Annual Summer Splash & Desert Breeze Pod Cook Off. This is also the 3rd Annual Arizona State Biscuit and Gravy Championship. Bring your swim suits and come have some fun. CHILI GRIND ONLY Entry fee $15, make check payable to Desert Breeze Pod. Contact Karen Banas 480-888-0812. Email banask@msn.com. Held at 19935 Del Rancho.

Jun 6, 2009-004 - Floris, IA CASI. The Floris Flag Day Cookoff. Cookoff benefits Floris Iowa Fire Department. Turn in 1 PM. Entry fee $20.00. Contact Virgil or Roylene Johnson. Phone 641-684- 4525 or Cell 641-455-9210.

Jun 6, 2009-005 - Frontenac, KS CASI. Kansas State Cookoff. Held downtown in Christmas Park at the corner of McKay & Crawford Benefits the Frontenac Rotary Park. Entry fee: $20.00 Turn-in 5 PM. Make checks payable to the Frontenac Rotary. Contact: Paul Mendicki 620-249-7807 mendicki @cox.net OR Steve Shepherd 620- 249-2102. shepherd1@ckt.net

Jun 6, 2009-006 - Memphis, TN CASI. Por Pod Cookoff. at 3684 Cherry Road at Steamatic in Memphis. Turn in time is 1 PM. Entry fee $20.00. Please bring something we can put in a raffle to help us raise some money. Contact Lynne at 662-526-5722 OR lynne_murry@yahoo.com.

Jun 6, 2009-007 - Houston, TX CASI. 29th Annual Space City Pod Cookoff. At Blanco's, 3406 W. Alabama. Omelette-off 10:AM Turn-In FREE, Entry $15.00 to Judge; Beans: 12:00 PM Turn-in $5.00, 50/50 , Chili (Grind Only) 2:00 PM, $17.00 Entry, Showmanship 2:30PM - 3:30 PM. Benefiting The Laura Recovery Group. Cook's party Saturday night w/ Pot Luck Dinner and Entertanment By Nigel Delgado. Contact Chuck Spishock-281-802-7034 or Bruce Wilkins 713-728-1706.

Jun 6, 2009-008 - Cornville, AZ CASI. YCS In The Park Po CCO. Held in Windmill Park, 9950 East Cornville Rd. Entry fee $10. Peoples choice chili at turn-in at 11 AM, Red turn in at 1 PM. From Phoenix take I-17 North to Cornville exit, turn left at the stop sign. continue on Cornville Rd until you cross the river. Park is on the right. Make checks payable to YCS. Benefits Cornville Community Association. Contact Jerry Lee 623-388-9748 alchemistchili@gmail.com.

Jun 6, 2009-009 - Richmond, BC CASI. Canadian International Cookoff. Held at 8811 River Road. Charity TBA. Entry payable to Fred Roycroft. Turn in at 1 pm. Contact Fred Roycroft 3422 Lancaster St., Port Coquitlam, B.C., Can., V3B 4R3. Email chili4fred@telus.net 604-464-3472 or 604-312-4634.

Jun 7, 2009-001 - Frontenac ,KS CASI. MO-KAN Pod Cookoff. Held in Rotary Park just east of downtown Frontenac on McKay Steet. Benefits the MO-KAN POD. Entry fee: $20.00 turn-in time: 1 PM. Make checks payable to: MO- KAN Pod. Contact: Paul Mendicki 620-249-7807 mendicki@cox.net OR Steve Shepherd (620-249-2101) sshepherd1@ckt.net

From Larry Wampler:

From Susie Shaw:

NEWS FROM THE HEART
May, 2009 H.O.T. – CASI Heart of Tennessee

15th ANNUAL BATTLEGROUND COOK-OFF
PARKERS CROSSROADS, TENNESSEE

The Parkers Crossroads 15th Annual Battleground Chili Cook-Off is only a few weeks away …
· The custom carved bullet trophies are ready for you …
· Sponsors are excited …
· HOT Pod members are scrambling …
· And ALL the big guns are loaded!

WHEN:

June 3,Sat, BATTLEGROUND June 14th, Sunday,
Annual BATTLEGROUND CCO HOT Pod “No Bullets / No Beans” CCO
Turn In: 1 PM Turn-In: Noon

WHERE: Parkers Crossroads, Tennessee, I-40, Exit 108, Go North
To Parkers Crossroads City Park

CONTACT: Preston Shaw 731-847-7208 or 731-549-6945

Be there with your banners flying high .. It is time to rally
in the South!!
***************

Battleground CCO Trophies / Prizes

· 1st Chili The Champion “ Traveling” Spittoon
· “State Challenge” Traveling Bugle Trophy
· Top Ten Chili / Top Three Show Team
- Coveted Handcarved “Civil War” Bullet Trophies
Page 1 of 3
***********************

Preliminary Schedule of Events:
Saturday, June 13, 2008
· 8 AM Registration Open
· 9 AM CASI Cooks’ Meeting
· 1 PM Battleground CCO Chili Turn-In
· 1:30 – 2:30 pm Showmanship Judging
· 3:00 pm Trophy & Award Presentation
Or 30 minutes after judging completion

HOT Pod Annual Business Meeting, directly after announcements.


BBQ Dinner “POT-LUCK” is being planned for Saturday evening. HOT Pod is furnishing the BBQ & buns; Volunteers requested to bring a side dish or special dessert!

Note: Slaw and potato salad already committed for us, along with cookies. Thanks to Bill Stegbauer and Lynn Murray!


HOT POD “NO BULLETS / NO BEANS” CCO – Sunday, June 14th
The HOT Pod cook-off will be held at the same site, noon turn-in. We are hopeful that you will be able to participate in this POD CCO, Chili-Grind only.

PLEASE BRING “Throw-Down” Chili. We need your extra chili to satisfy the visitors on Saturday. Can you please throw some in to share?!!

HOT AUCTION Reminder. The annual Basket Silent Auction, featuring custom baskets by past Champions and other generous participants, will be held on Saturday. We are hopeful you will bring a nicely filled basket or other item for the Battleground CCO Silent Auction. Please be saving your “good stuff” for a GOOD CAUSE .. ‘Cause we are CASI Chili Heads cooking for Charity, of course!


LOCAL MOTEL INFORMATION

· Best Western , Parkers Crossroads, TN 731-968-2532
· Knights Motel, Parkers Crossroads, TN 731-968-0759
· Days Inn, Lexington, TN (14 miles So.) 731-968-1997
Page 2 of 3




HOT Pod Dues & Membership Reminder

Odd, some may think, to be posting a membership reminder at this time of the year; however, several of our most faithful members have failed to renew! This year has been a wild one for us, with many unexpected events occurring that have derailed a number of our best intentions. Perhaps your year has been similar, and you have unintentionally failed to renew your HOT dues. WE NEED YOU - Please respond with your renewal to Susie Shaw, P. O. Box 176, Parsons, TN 38363, or just find her at the cook-off!






***************************************************
HOT POD
Officers

Great Pepper: Preston Shaw
Pepper Popper: Carol Knight
Secretary: Kristi Knight
Treasurer: Susie Shaw
Regional Referee: Richard Knight


**************
HOT POD
STIRRING COMMITTEE
Donell Dickerson
James Murray
Bill Stegbauer
Rick Williams

Many thanks to those who are willing to serve
In these vital Pod roles!!

Today is the last day to apply for the Krazy Flat's Coordinator job. If you are interested, please email me your application. There is an application on the CASI Web Home page. It's not to late to send that application to me. I will accept it electronically sent.

Also, this is the last day to email me and let me know that you will accept the Annual Report sent to you electronically. I have had a great response to this trail. It will save a lot in postage and printing. Thanks to all of you who have responded.

Janice

From Dale Reinecker:
Hello Chiliheads,
I am formally announcing my candidacy for the CASI Board of Directors, special election. For those of you that already know me, and the many more of you that don’t, here is a brief summation of my qualifications, experience and why I am seeking a position on the BOD.

I’ve been a chili cook since 1997 and have accomplished a few things over the years. I was Cowtown Great Pepper for two years and Great Pepper of the Year in 2006. Also won the inaugural one person show award in ’06 as Chief No Ponies.

I am retired, having been a businessman for 33 years in the advertising/marketing/public relations/sales promotion business. From this perspective I can applaud the efforts and accomplishments of CASI in the past years, but I can also recognize so much that can, and needs, to be done if we are to grow and thrive. I believe we have been stagnant recently and that the status quo has got to go. (Sounds like a campaign slogan.)

If elected I will question and challenge how we as an organization do things, including the very structure and organization of the BOD. I believe there are things our pods can do and even the individual positions on the BOD can do to add value to their efforts to enhance CASI and further support our sponsors. I will push for more ‘original thinking’ up and down the line. I do not expect everyone to agree with everything, and positive debate is good, but we need to get away from the ‘this is the way we’ve always done it’ thinking and find new ways to get things accomplished. I will solicit and encourage input and thoughts from everybody, but I am my own person and have no ‘special alliances’. My only agenda is CASI.

For a more detailed listing of my background and qualifications, along with more specific ideas on what I will work to accomplish, please go to www.cowtowncasi.com. I welcome your thoughts and questions. My email is dreinecker@msn.com and phone number is 817-283-1460. If you agree that we need to find different ways to do things, I would appreciate your support and vote.

Thank You
Dale Reinecker

From Bill Pierson:

St. Charles IL—Last Saturday, May 30 (the Real Memorial Day), the Illinois Ladies State Open and Men's State Open were held at Zylstra Harley-Davidson. After a cool and cloudy morning, a gust of wind interupted the awards ceremony (destroying two canopies), it did get up to 80°. The Living Well Cancer Resource Center and Childrens Club Courageous were the beneficeraries of these cookoffs, and while I don't have the final numbers, I think they will be happy with the results.

We had 18 ladies and 20 men participate, plus three restaurants in the first attempt at this competition. There were some interesting story-lines in each gender division. On the ladies side, the top ten featured many familiar faces and one first-time cook at fourth place. The men's side was almost the same with a first-time cook taking tenth.

Candy Thomas had been having a tough time with points lately, but cooked quite a pot Saturday to become the 2009 IL Ladies State Champion. A pretty impressive way to say, "I'm back!" The other very greatful ladie qualifiers were Georgia Weller (2nd) and Kathy Martin (3rd).

Wes Carlson scored a very impressive win in the men's competition. Second place Bill Thomas (yes, partner of the Ladies Champ) collected his second automatic-qualifier in May. Illinois' first qualified cook, Bret Centers rounded out the top three.

I could mention the six trophies that the Pierson family picked-up, but I won't.

LADIES CHILI
1. Candy Thomas, Naperville IL
2. Georgia Weller, Rockton IL
3. Kathy Martin, Huntley IL
4. Carol Centers, WEstmont IL
5. Jennifer Pierson Shepherd, Montgomery IL
6. Gloria Stevens, Homer Glen IL
7. Julie Netser, Seymour IN
8. Jill Pierson, Batavia IL
9. Kay Fennel, Woodbridge IL
10. Cheryl Pierson, Batavia IL

LADIES SHOW
1. Cheryl Pierson, Batavia IL
2. Roylene Johnson, Ottumwa IA
3. Gloria Molitor, St. Charles IL

MEN'S CHILI
1. Wes Carlson, Loves Park IL
2. Bill Thomas, Naperville IL
3. Bret Centers, Lisle IL
4. Eric Shepherd, Montgomery IL
5. Jim Weller, Rockton IL
6. Mike Usiak, Chicago IL
7. Jeff Netser, Seymour IN
8. Bill Pierson, Batavia IL
9. John Gastaldello, Downers Grove IL
10. Ed Zielinski, Brookfield IL

MEN'S SHOW
1. Bret Centers, Lisle IL
2. Virgil Johnson, Ottumwa IA
3. Mike Stevens, Homer Glen IL

From Larry Velasquez

Oklahoma Joe's DeSoto Rotary CCO
May 30, 2009

CASI (17 Cooks):
1. Jeff Stehney - De Soto, Kansas
2. Jacque Hathaway - Lewisburg, Kansas
3. Lee Kroencke - Lenexa, Kansas
4. Larry Velasquez - Mission, Kansas
5. Colleen Lintner - Shawnee, Kansas
6. Peg Velasquez - Mission, Kansas
7. Jason Brinkman - Lenexa, Kansas
8. Peg Kirk-Velasquez - Kansas City, Kansas
9. Erwin Clark - Kansas City, Missouri
`0. Stephanie Wilson - Kansas City, Missouri *1st time cook
11. Jerri Dowdy - Kansas City, Missouri - Kiss Your Sister


Showmanship:
1. Duck Blind Chili - Steve Dowdy - Kansas City, MO
2. Dumb Blonde Chili - Jerri Dowdy - KC, MO
3. Toad Chokin Chili


Home Style (15 Cooks):
1. Shelley Kroencke - Lenexa, Kansas
2. Max Atwell - DeSoto, KS (Rotary member)
3. Lee Kroencke - Lenexa, Kansas

People's Choice
Kevin Stovall - Lee's Summitt, Missouri

From Bruce Stewart:

Mel Neff is in the VA hosiptal at Dallas. He is to under go heart by-pass surgery this week. Please keep him and Sharon in your prayers and thoughts.

From Roger Foltz:

POD NEWSLETTER CONTEST

Pod Newsletters are a vital way to keep the membership informed on all activities in the POD as well as CASI information. With this in mind CASI will again be having a POD newsletter contest this year. Judging will be done by an independent panel of CASI members from across the country. Winners will be announced, and awards will be presented to the top three places at TICC.

PODS can enter the Newsletter Contest by notifying me of their interest in entering, and by sending their newsletters for the period of July, August and September 2009 to me at: rbfoltz@aol.com

Below are the criteria to be used by the judges.

Judge the POD Newsletters using one single score from 1 thru 10 with 10 being the highest, on the categories below. You can use the same score more than once as newsletters are to be judged on its own merits.

Categories to judge on:
Content (Does it have?)
Pod News
Information from Pod meetings
Cookoff listings in area
Winners of area events
Contact information for officers
What have the members been doing? (i.e. gossip or reports on cookoffs)
Can a new cook read it and know what you are talking about? (i.e. use full names and not abbreviations for events)
CASI News
Information from Directors meetings
Procedures or Rule changes
Contact information of CASI
Appearance:
Pod Logo
Photos – Do they have captions?
Laid out in a pleasing format.

Ask questions:
Did I learn something from the newsletter?
Did I find information I needed, for now or as a reference?
Was it enjoyable & informative enough to want to read it every month?

From Christie DePoorter:

From David Sexton: