From Bert "Bubba" Reinke:
For anyone that has enjoyed going to Possum Kingdom State Park and Lake Mineral Wells State Park. Even though they had severe wild fires both state parks are re-opening this weekend. All the campgrounds and trading posts/dock facilities were spared from the bad wild fires. A large majority of the park grounds themselves were completely burned but the recreational facilities except for some restrooms were spared and are back to normal. For all those that enjoy our Texas State Park system please help by making reservations and visiting these parks to help them get their feet back on the ground and stay in business.

It is Wednesday, and it is time to check out the CCOs for this weekend!

May 28, 2011-001 - San Angelo, TX CASI. Chili Legends Memorial Day CCO.   This CCO will benefit the DESK Program.  It will be held in Water Valley Park. There are a limited number of RV hookups, but there is plenty of room for camping.  Entry fee for Chili is $18 turn-in with turn in at 2 PM. There will be Jackpot Beans competition.  Entry fee is $5 and turn-in time is 1 PM. 100% payback.  On Friday night there will be a potluck “sandwich” supper.  On Saturday morning, we will have a potluck breakfast with breakfast casseroles provided.  Saturday night will feature a brisket and ribs supper.  Contact Janice Miller 325-947-8753. CHILI GRIND ONLY. See CCO the next day.

May 28, 2011-002 - Broken Arrow, OK CASI. 2 Day Chili Cookoff Event. This will be held at Crawford's Hacienda, 23400 E 111 St, Broken Arrow OK. Chili turn in  is 2:00 pm. The entry fee is $20.00 From Tulsa, take Hwy 51 East thru Broken Arrow, continue on at Coweta/81st St. Exit at the 4th stop light which is Oneta Road.  Turn right (South), go to the second stop sign which is 111th St,  turn right (West).  Go 1/2 mile. The house is on the left (South). This CCO benefits Green County Chili and BBQ Too Pod. Contact Lorinda 918-271-2421 or Everett Crawford 918-810-3274. See cookoff next day.

May 28, 2011-003 - Durant, OK CASI. 28th Annual Southwest Open Chili Championship has been moved to a bigger and better location. It will be held at the Choctaw Casino in Durant, Okla who will host this years event. The cookoff location will be at the Choctaw/KOA RV Park on the grounds of the Choctaw Casino. The Casino is located just across the Texas Oklahoma border, North of the Dallas/Ft Worth area on US Hwy 75. Entry fee: $25, Turn-in 2 PM, Chili Grind Only. Top 3 chilis and 1st Place Show are automatic qualifiers for TICC. Travel money for top winners in chili and show. Last year top 5 chilis were qualified. Friday nite 42 Tournament. Contact Kevin Wooster 940-733-9221, Terry Graves 940-733-6446, or Tammie Wooster Tammiew421@aol.com . Send your entry to: Tammie Wooster, 2 Vera Court, Wichita Falls, Tx. 76310, 940-691- 5323. Special room rates for the following hotels: Please ask for chili cookoff rates: Microtel Hotel & Suites 580-924-5100 Single-$50-Double-$65-Suite; $75 Hampton Inn & Suites 580-924-0300 Rate: $60; Holiday Inn Express & Suites 580-924-9777 Rate: $60; Choctaw/Koa RV Park--800-562-6073 Full Hookup rate: $25. This is a large and popular Casino, call early for reservations. More information to follow.

May 28, 2011-004 - Langley, BC CASI. B.C. Provincial Chili Championship at the Canadian Festival of Chili and BBQ to be held at the Gateway Casino in Langley, B. C. on May 28. CASI sanctioned and CASI rules. Turn in at 2:00 PM. Entry fee is $25. Charity is the Firefighters' Burn Fund. For info contact Fred Roycroft at 604- 464-3472 or froycroft@gmail.com  Automatic Qualifier for TICC.

May 28, 2011-005 - Willow Springs, IL CASI. Willow Springs CCO 1 Village Circle, Willow Springs, IL. 60480. Tables available, there will be a DJ present, a Pet Parade. and a Craft Show. Entry fee is $20 with turn-in at 2 PM. Make checks payable to Village of Willow Springs. Contact Maureen Barrett 312-209-7173. Email maureen.barrett@cbexchange.com . Benefits Willow Springs Food Pantry.

May 29, 2011-001 - San Angelo, TX CASI. Day 2 Chili Legends Memorial Day CCO This is the annual Concho Valley Chili Pod CCO.  This CCO will be held in Water Valley Park. The entry fee $18 with turn-in at 2 PM. CHILI GRIND ONLY.    There will also be a Jackpot Beans Competition with the entry fee of $5 and turn in at 1 PM. This is a 100%payback.  On Friday night will be a  potluck “sandwich” supper. On Saturday morning, we will have a potluck breakfast with breakfast casseroles provided. Saturday night will feature a brisket and ribs supper. On Sunday morning we will have a potluck breakfast with breakfast casseroles provided. Sunday night will feature a hot dog supper. Side dishes would be appreciated for the meals. Also on Sunday there will be a cake auction and a raffle. There will be a 50/50 raffle on both days.  Contact Janice Miller at 325- 947-8753.

May 29, 2011-002 - Broken Arrow, OK CASI. 2 Day Chili Cookoff Event. this will be held at Crawford's Hacienda, located at 23400 E 111 St, Broken Arrow OK. Turn In is 1:00 pm. The entry fee is $20.00. Directions are as follows:  From Tulsa, take Hwy 51 East thru Broken Arrow and continue on at Coweta/81st St. Exit at the 4th stop light which is Oneta Road.  Turn right (South), then go to second stop sign which is 111th St.  Tturn right (West), then go 1/2 mile. The house is on the left (South). This benefits Great Pepper's Meeting Fund for Green County Chili and BBQ Too Pod. Contact Lorinda 918-271-2421 or Everett Crawford 918-810-3274. See cookoff on the day before.

May 29, 2011-003 - Durant, OK CASI. North of the Brazos Pod Cookoff. This will be held at the Choctaw Casino/Koa RV Park. The entry fee is $20, and the turn-in time is 1:00 PM. This is Chili Grind Only.   For more information, contact Kevin Wooster 940-733-9221 or Tammie Wooster, tammiew421@aol.com.

May 29, 2011-004 - San Antonio, TX CASI. Return of the Chili Queens CCO. This will be held at the El Mercado Market in downtown San Antonio. It is Chili Grind Only. The entry fee is $20, with turn-in at 2 pm. Santa Rosa Children's Hospital will benefit from this wonderful cook-off. If you've never been, then you should definitely make it a point to come out and join us. For information please contact Kim Hiley 210-286-4275 or kdhiley@yahoo.com.

May 29, 2011-005 - Tombstone, AZ CASI. Wyatt Earp Days/Paul Breur Memorial Chili Cookoff. This wil be located on Allen Street in front of the OK Corral. The charity is the Tombstone Lions. Turn in time is 1 p.m. The entry fee is $15. Checks payable to High Desert Pod (HDP). For more information contact Greg Monger 520-417-9948.

May 30, 2011-001 - Grand Prairie, TX CASI. Lone Star Derby Chili Cook Off   It will be held at Lone Star Park, 1000 Lone Star Parkway. The entry fee is $20 with turn in at 2 p.m. Load-in and registration will be between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. near the West Entrance of the Grandstand. RV parking is available in the parking lot near Gate 5, but not at the cooking site. There are no hook-ups. Enjoy an afternoon of live Thoroughbred racing with the Lone Star Derby, live music and a Chili Cook-off Competition. Each team will receive 10 more admission passes for family and friends at registration. All proceeds benefit LOPE Texas and Remember Me Rescue, two non- profit organizations that assist retired and injured racehorses find new homes after their careers. Bring plenty of extra chili for taste cups, we have large crowds! Chili Winners will receive a Winner's Circle photo with the wining horse, jockey and owner of the CASI sponsored race of the day. For more information on the event or referral for a local RV Park with hook-ups, contact Kim Bordano at 972-237- 1134 or kim.bordano@lonestarpark.com.