From Brent and Becky Allen:
We will be having a gathering of friends and family to share stories, photos, and memories at our home in George West on Saturday February 27 beginning about 5:00 p.m. We sincerely hope that you will join us. There will be a memorial service on Sunday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m. at Maxwell P. Dunne Funeral Chapel, 1222 Morgan at 10th, Corpus Christi.
If you wish, we are suggesting donations to George West Storyfest, PO Box 660, George West TX 78022 or the charity of your choice. Clay was a long-time volunteer with Storyfest.
Thank you for all the emails, phone calls and prayers. They are appreciated.
Brent & Becky Allen
From Bruce Smith:
Visited Wag tonight (Thursday) at the hospital and he said they were going to put in stints tomorrow (Friday). He can't have surgery so they are going to try the stints. Do not know what time they will do the procedure. Keep up the prayers.
From Sherry Maus:
Are you looking for a place to cook chili this weekend? Come to the VFW in San Angelo, TX. We are having a 2 day CCO. The first day benefits West TX Meltdown for Autism and the second day benefits Relay for Life. On Sat there will be Jackpot beans, turn in at 12 noon, entry fee $5.00. Chili turn in at 2 PM. Entry fee $18.00. CHILI GRIND ONLY. There will be a cake auction and a 50/50 pot. On Sunday Chili turn in will be at 12 noon Entry fee $18.00. CHILI GRIND ONLY (both days).
Below is the Press Release for the Baghdad CCO:
Troops Hold Chili Cook-off in Baghdad to Benefit Boys/Girl Scouts of Iraq; Stateside CASI Chiliheads Provide Needed Supplies
BAGHDAD, …While preparing for her second deployment to Iraq, Capt. Roxzanna Ponce De Leon of the 447 AEG Protocol Unit, decided to attend the Terlingua International Chili Championship held November 6, 2009 in Terlingua, TX. Having participated in competitive chili cook-offs since 2006, It occured to her that a chili cook-off would be a great way to break the stress of pulling duty in a dangerous zone while also raising money for the Boys and Girls Scouts of Iraq. And too, a few bites of CASI (Chili Appreciation Society International) style chili would certainly provide smiles and pleasant thoughts of life back home.
Upon arriving at Sather AFB, Baghdad, Iraq, Capt. Ponce De Leon secured the support of the Base Commander and began outlining the plans for a cook-off. She determined that 50 or so cooks, with a $20.00 entry fee, would raise a respectable sum for the charity while providing plenty of friendly, competitive fodder among the officers, enlisted personnel and contractors at the base. This was a good plan on paper but several obstacles quickly emerged. For example, the main ingredients for chili, i.e. ground beef, spices, broth, bullion, tomato sauce, etc. were not available at Sather. Nor were cook stoves, pots/pans, stir spoons, propane bottles, sample cups and other items usually needed for a cook-off. The local USO representative managed some items from his AOR, but major stateside help would be required to complete this mission.
Capt. Ponce De Leon contacted CASI Director Jen Windsor in Severna Park, MD and Michelle Ungvarsky of Albuquerque, NM, whom she had talked with at the Terlingua event, and explained the situation. Windsor contacted several other CASI members and Directors throughout the United States, who in-turn contacted the CASI membership at large, and word of the task at hand along with cook-off needs, quickly brought offers of help from CASI chili cooks from coast to coast. Former CASI Director and retired Sergeant Major Ken Rodd, Austin, TX volunteered to act as a clearing house to tabulate and coordinate donations of needed items to prevent duplications.
Within 24 hours, Donna Conrad had arranged for 200 pounds of meat to be donated by Mountain City Meats, Waco, TX. and Mild Bill’s Spices, Bulverde, TX. had provided all the chili spices. Donations of broth, sauce, spoons, cups and the other various supplies required to prepare a proper bowl of red were contributed by groups and individuals within a few days.
All supplies were gathered and staged at a central location for shipment to Capt. Ponce De Leon, along with a mountain of best wishes from stateside chiliheads. With some on-site ingenuity regarding cooking vessels and heat sources, the cook-off will take place 4 April, 2010, with turn-in and judging set for 1400 hrs., that’s 2PM civilian time.
The Chili Appreciation Society International’s, Inc. mission is to promote chili and raise money for charity. A 501 (c) (3) corporation, CASI has no compensated officers or employees which allows the organization to channel all excess profits to charity. CASI sanctions over 550 chili cook-offs and raises over $1,000,000 annually for local charities thru cook-offs held by local clubs called pods. In addition, CASI currently sponsors 26 students with 4-year scholarships at $1,000 per year through the national scholarship program. CASI has also long supported our nation’s military with deep discounts for active duty, reserves and retired military personnel and their spouses that attend the Terlingua International Chili Championship.
It is finally Friday!. It appears that I may get to cook chili this weekend! It will be the first time since Nov. Hope I remember how! Have a Great Weekend!
