From Ken Rodd:
Georgia Horner, who ran the Converse American Legion Chili Cookoff for over 10 years passed away Monday evening at 5:00 PM. Georgia was very dedicated to the Legion Ladies Auxiliary in her work. Her work as chairman of the Chili Cookoff was tireless and friendships made with the chili cooks. She believed so much in the cooks and CASI she became a CASI member herself even tho she did not cook or go to cookoffs. The Converse Legion renamed the chili cookoff the Georgia Horner Chili Cookoff. She was able to be present at the cookoff last month each day and enjoy visiting with the cooks and the honor the Legion gave to her.

Viewing will be at the Colonial Funeral Home, Kitty Hawk Rd, Universal City, TX and a memorial service at the same location at noon on Thursday.  The viewing hours are 3:00 PM to 9:00PM. Also, the family has asked that donations be made to your favorite charity in liew of flowers.

From Donna Conrad:
ATTN: Chili Cooks. Out West Bar & Grill in West TX. is having their 3rd. Annual CASI Chili Cook Off this week end. It will be held at 301 S. Main St. in West TX. You take exit 353 off I -35.

Sat. Feb. 13th / Entry Fee $18.00 / Turn In Time 2:00 PM / Chili Grind Only. Charity is West Meals On Wheels.

Sunday Feb. 14th VALENTINE'S DAY / Entry Fee $18.00 / Turn In Time 1:00 PM / Chili Grind Only. Charity is West Volunteer Fire Dept. Plenty of RV Parking NO HOOK UP's. If the weather is bad we can COOK INSIDE. So no need to let the cold keep you away. There will be Live Entertaimnet both nights.

Pack up and come to West this week end. Hope to see Yall there.

For more infromation call Mike or Wanda @ 254-826-5509 or Donna @254-855-5733

A correction for money given to the Scholarship Program from Sattler from Rhea Weatherly:

The $1000.00 check which was given to John Goforth at Sattler was not from the Sattler cook-off. The $1000.00 was donated by the Canyon Lake BBQ and Chili cook-off which we held in August of 2009. Promoters were Billy Bob and Reva Weatherly, Roger and Cindy Patteson and



Randy and Darlene Evans and all the Cooks and Sponsors. At that time we also donated $1000.00 to the Comal County Junior Livestock Association and $1000.00 to ALS (Lou Gehrigs Disease).

From Karen Bains and Connie Collier:

10th Horn Toad Roundup and Chili Cook-Off Results

Saturday Feb 6, 2010 in Rankin, Texas was a beautiful spring-like day for the 10th annual Horn Toad Roundup and Chili Cook-Off. 79 eager chili cooks showed up in quest of the elusive bronze Horn Toad, cast by Lloyd Goldwire, 46 women and 33 men came from as far away as Phoenix, Az.

This year things changed at the old roundup, for the past 9 years only women have captured 1st place...well....it wasn't meant to be this year. In Rankin, 2010 is now known as "The year of the men", with Guy Bates from Midland, Texas, taking 1st place chili and wining the prized bronze Horn Toad!
2nd place Keith Patton - Odessa Tx
3rd place Sharon Roy - Johnson City, Tx
4th place Grace Davis - Odessa, Tx
5th place Dave Boone - Odessa, Tx
6th place Lisa Clevenger - Odessa, Tx
7th place Diane Fitzhenry - Wichita Falls Tx
8th place Clint Wooster - Wichita Falls Tx
9th place Jennifer Sherfield - Seminole, Tx
10th place Kelly Draper - Tahoka, Tx

1st SHOW Goat Gap Gazette Chili
2nd SHOW Farm Boy Chili
3rd SHOW Wild Women Chili

Traveling Toad awarded to Willie & Lylah Ravens from Phoenix, Arizona.

42 tournament Winners:
Dee Hay Pasadena, Tx
Ronnie Yates San Angelo, Tx.

There were approximately 300 people including cooks, judges and spectators. Make your plans now to attend next year.

From Jenny Windsor:  ( at least you can see the mail box even if the mailman can't get there! Qualification Cards on their way! Didnt have mail service on Saturday and we dont expect to have it tomorrow - is it summer yet?? 

From Donna Conrad:
Out West Bar & Grill In West, TX is looking forward to seeing everyone out for their 3rd. CASI Chili Cook Off on Feb. 13th & 14th. Sat. Feb. 13th entry fee $18.00 / turn in time 2:00 PM / CG only. Charity is West Meals on Wheels. Sunday Feb. 14th Valentines Day, entry fee $18.00 / turn in time 1:00 PM /CG only / Charity West Volunteer Fire Dept.

Address is 301 S. Main St. / take exit 353 off I- 35. Live entertainment Friday & Saturday night. Plenty of RV Parking NO HOOK UP's. For more information please call Mike or Wanda @ 254-826-5509 or Donna @ 254-855-4733.

Hope to see Yall there

From Kelly Brignon:

What a GREAT weekend! I have to start off by thanking all of the chili cooks, monitors, judging and tally crew as well as The Gingerbread House volunteers and sponsors. Without the help of so many wonderful people, our cook off wouldn't have been such a success! Thank you again to everyone - your support is invaluable! How about some results????

Friday Night NOW Pod No Frills CCO
39 Chilis

1. Ron Baker (Q)
2. Gary Brignon
3. Angie Anderson
4. Mark Sanders
5. Courtney Bowden
6. Rosa Gonzales Johnston
7. Bonnie Loxterman
8. Beth Moon
9. Kelly Brignon
10. Jimmy Johnston

Show
1. Hard Hat Chili - Darrell Baxter
2. Telico VFD - Retha Pechal
3. Dr. Ray - Ray Calhoun

Saturday 9th Annual Gingerbread House CCO

61 Chilis

1. Kelly Brignon (Q)
2. Patrick Sullivan
3. Karen Bowden
4. Toni Bowman
5. Tina Barnes
6. Rosa Gonzales Johnston
7. Ray Calhoun
8. Roger Foltz
9. Greg Goodwin
10. Jimmy Johnston

Show
1. Telico VFD - Retha Pechal
2. Hard Hat Chili - Darrell Baxter (Q)
3. The 3 Knuckleheads - Terry Skipper

Beans
19 Beans

1. Mark Sanders
2. Vicki Sanders
3. Tina Barnes

Junior Chili
19 Chilis
1. Paige Brignon
2. Mackenzie Fieseler
3. Blake Sexton
4. Kelsey Dozier
5. Zoe Brignon
6. Casey Carney
7. Ty Kriska
8. Mykala Burton
9. Jacob Bunch
10. Kelsy Medlin

Sunday 9th Annual Cotton Patch CCO

21 Chilis
1. Ray Calhoun
2. Tom Dozier
3. Courtney Bowden
4. Dee Palmer
5. Rosa Gonzales Johnston
6. Gary Brignon
7. Karen Bowden
8. Bonnie Loxterman
9. Toni Bowman
10. Paul Seastrunk

Show

1. Telico VFD - Retha Pechal (Q)
2. Lair of the Fox - Toni Bowman
3. Dr. Ray - Ray Calhoun

From Larry Wampler:
The Chili Cook-off on March 13th & 14th @ the 429 Marina, Quinlan, TX has been canceled.

Looking for a place to celebrate Valentine's Day?  Come to  Water Valley for 2 days of Chili Cooking.  Sat there will be Beans (entry fee $5) at 12:00 and Chili turn in at 2:00 (entry fee $18)  This is a Chili Grind only!.  Then on Sunday Chili Turn in will be at 12:00 (entry fee $18)  There will be lots of fun and sharing time.  For more information, Call Barbara Herrin at 432 559 5424.

I am still staying nights with my father so I will do a post this afternoon and then I can do one again tomorrow if I get more information.

From Janita Hines:
Chili CCO on Feb. 20, 2010

The Comstock Motel (432-292-4484) is now open. The motel will have reduced rates for chili cooks. You do need to call soon though. A reminder that the phone number for Desert Hills RV Park is 432-292-4451. Also, in addition to the events noted in the Trails, there will be a Cajun supper on Thursday night.

From Cynthia Gill and Jim Ezell:
Hola Jim! Well we have finally finished counting! Here are the numbers you asked me for - please let me know if I'm leaving anything out.

We had a record number of contestants this year, with 104 contestants across our 4 contests: Peoples' Choice for Best Chili, CASI Chili, Best Charro Beans and Best Margarita. We also had a great turnout, with approximately 2000 people. Best of all, we more than doubled last year's profit - which we are very proud of in this economy. At this time, our net profit is approximately $350,000 pesos, although we are still hound-dogging some of our silent auction winners to bring us their money, so the total could end up a little higher.

We're in the process of beginning to interview key volunteers for next year. We need to start NOW so that next year will be better than ever. We've received a lot of constructive feedback and we're open to any other ideas you have.

A 3 page spread ran in our local newspaper yesterday.

If you want to see some fun photos of the event, go to http://www.chiliandcharros.com/.  On the first page it says "Click here to see photos." You will be linked to a Flicker page. Be sure to click "slideshow" on the upper right of the page so that you can see them full screen. I'm also going to forward you a few more good ones that I don't think have been put on the site yet.

Note:  If you would like to see the newspaper report, please send me an email and I will send you a copy.  For soe reason, I can not convert it to a jpeg so that I can post it.  Janice

From Jim:
This is a summary of a truly incredible event that CASI should be proud to have lassoed. With over 2,000 in attendance for a stand alone chili event this American enclave in San Miguel really turned out to scarf up all the sample chili in less than an hour. People payed $8 a head to get into the festivities which included a raffle, charity auction, riding exhibition in the bull ring, margarita contest, bean contest and many bands and vendors. This is the 4th year of the event and the first with CASI. The promoters will be attending TICC this year to see how we do things.



If you can take a minute to glance at the article and flip thru the slide show on the website you can really feel what a great event it was.


This is the kind of event that makes us "International" and leads us to greater sponsorship opportunities.

From John Goforth:

This past weekend in Sattler, TX, I was honored to receive on behalf of CASI a $1000.00 donation to the CASI Scholarship Fund presented by Billy Bob Weatherly from the Day After Canyon Lake CCO held in 2009. Thank you very much Canyon Lake group for your continued efforts in supporting this program.

Congratulations to GUY BATES.  He is the first man to win the Horn Toad CCO held each year in Rankin, TX and it is the 10th yr of this CCO.  He is the first man to have a Bronze Horn Toad!  Way to go Guy!

NOTE:  I have been contacted by several interested parties about having CCOs in new areas of the US and outside the US.  The latest one is a request from England.  After discussion with Jim Ezell about how we can encourage and execute these events, Jim has come up with an idea.

Jim believes that we need to develop a resource center of people with CASI experience that have access to international points. We could network them and their friends to hopefully target some areas for initial cookoffs. Help and expertise could possibly be webcast from the states to teach and encourage.

There are so many CASI cooks with military friends and relatives and many cooks travel extensively.  This is a call to see if we have any of our members interested in doing this adventure.  If you are, please email me a garjans@suddenlink.net.  This is a way to concentrate on expanding the "I" in CASI.

This will be the second posting for Thursday. I am staying with my Father tonight,  He has had a tough day and a really bad night last night.  If I get more information tonight, I will post later tomorrow.

NOTE:  CORRECTION OF DATE
Feb 6, 2010-003 - Fort Worth, TX CASI. 1st CASI Chili Cookoff. - VFW Post #10374, 13825 US Hwy 287, Ft. Worth, TX 76179. Benefits VFW Post #10374 Charities Turn-in Time 2 PM. Entry Fee $20. Checks Payable to VFW Post #10374 Contact Chuck Edmonds - 210-831- 1125. Chili Grind Only




From Larry Wampler:
Will you please post the following about the CCO on March 13th & 14th, 2010 @ 429 Marina, Quinlan, TX. Contract Monica Cox @ 972 -977 9654 or Wyatt Cox @ 214-876-3665 for RV and Cabin information.

From Patsy Childress:

Good Morning to you Folks,

I just had a call from Mary Collier with the Gifts of Hope. She asked that I pass on the wishes of Dianna’s parents. As Dianna and Bill had stayed in the Hope House here in Midland on a number of occasions, they asked that any donations be made in Memory of Dianna and Bill Keys to the Gifts of Hope, P. O. Box 1323; Midland, TX 79702-1323.

Any cards can be mailed to: Buddy and Bonnie McDowell; P. O. Box 5; Smithland, KY 42081-0005.

I think you may have had the address for the McDowell’s already. Just thought you might want to pass it along

From Lee Kroencke:'

Take a look at the attached files, that highlight a new Chili Cook-off taking place on February 27th in Overland Park. We know most of you are suffering from cabin fever, and we sure hope to see you and your best chili there!

From Jim Ezell:

I have a brief slide show of the 43rd Terlingua International Chili Championship. It may give some of your associates a glimpse of the flavor of that week. 

If you would like a copy of it, send your request to me Janice Miller at garjans@suddenlink.net.  I have not figured out how to load this slide show onto the Blog.

If you are looking for some place to take your Valentine next weekend, come to Water Valley, TX and cook chili.  It will be a 2 day CCO and there will be lots of fun.  On Sat, there will be a Bean competition with turn in at 12:00.  Bean entry fee will be $5.  Chili turn in will be at 2:00.  On Sunday, Chili turn in will be at 12:00.  Limited hookups are available.  Come have fun and ennjoy Valentine's weekend with the Concho Valley Chili Pod.

Well, Wednesday has come and gone and I did not get the CCOs posted for this for the weekend.

Feb 5, 2010-001 - Waxahachie, TX CASI. NOW Pod No Frills CCO Come out for the Annual NOW Pod No Frills CCO held at the Ellis Co. Expo Center, Hwy 287 (Exit #403 off of I35E), in Waxahachie, TX. This is a great way to kick off our 3 day cook off benefiting The Gingerbread House and Ellis Co. Childrens Advocacy Center. Gates open at 10 am for early arrival. Plenty of dry camping, no RV hook ups. Inside cooking available. We will have a Friday night cooks party as well. Entry fee is $18 and turn in is 8 pm. CHILI GRIND ONLY. See cook off info for Saturday and Sunday. Contact Kelly Brignon at 469-628- 8840 or kbrignon-tbdemo@sbcglobal.net for information. Hope to see everyone there!!

Feb 6, 2010-001 - Bryan, TX CASI. Brazos Valley Elks 4th Annual CCO. Details to follow. Roger Schoppe.

Feb 6, 2010-002 - Corpus Christi, TX CASI. Chili Cookoff & Riders Event. Cancelled.

Feb 6, 2010-003 - Fort Smith, AR CASI. Arkansas State Men's Championship and Annual Belch Amateur Chili Cookoff held at the Oaks, 5400 Massard Rd. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Info: Dara Hopson, 479-651- 7128, Rheaba Goebel, 479-461- 1807, Patti Watkins, 479-459- 6765. belchpod@gmail.com. Benefit Childrens Service League. This is an automatic qualifier for TICC for top three Arkansas winners in chili and 1st in show.

Feb 6, 2010-004 - Fort Smith, AR CASI. Arkansas State Women's Championship and Annual Belch Amateur Chili Cookoff. Held at the Oaks, 5400 Massard Rd. Entry fee $20 turn-in 1 PM. Info: Dara Hopson, 479-651- 7128, Rheaba Goebel, 479-461- 1807, Patti Watkins, 479-459- 6765, belchpod@gmail.com . This is an automatic qualifier for TICC for top three Arkansas winners in chili and 1st place show.

Feb 6, 2010-005 - Rankin, TX CASI. 10th Horn Toad Round-up & Chili CCO Held at Workman Park. First place Bronze Horn Foad. Friday night fish fry. Saturday morning cooks breakfast. Saturday night stew and 42 tournament. Entry fee $18 turn-in 2 PM. Make checks payable to Rankin Museum. Tequila Rose Party Friday night after fish fry. Contact Karen Bains 432-693-2796, 432-693-2242. Dave Boone 432-367- 8423, Karen.Bains@sbcglobal.net.

Feb 6, 2010-006 - Memphis, TN CASI. Polar Bear Plunge and CCO. Held at Mud Island Ampitheater. Entry fee $25, which includes entry to salsa and peoples choice. Turn-in 1 PM. Benefits Special Olympics of Greater Memphis. Info Lisa Taylor ltaylorsotn@hotmail.com.  

Feb 6, 2010-007 - Waxahachie, TX CASI. 9th Annual Gingerbread House CCO Come join us for the 9th Annual Gingerbread House CCO held at the Ellis Co. Expo Center in Waxahachie, TX (Hwy 287N, Exit #403 off of I35E). This is a great 3 day cook off benefiting The Gingerbread House and Ellis Co. Childrens Advocacy Center in Waxahachie. Last year we raised over $35,000 for this wonderful charity - come out and help us raise even more money for them! Turn in time for CASI, Junior and Novice Chili as well as 50/50 Beans is 1 pm. Entry Fee for CASI Chili is $20; Novice Chili $16; Junior Chili and Beans are $10 each. CHILI GRIND ONLY. We will once again have the mechanical bull and free admission for the cooks to the Benefit Barn Dance on Saturday night. Gates open at 10 am Friday morning - plenty of dry camping, no RV hook ups. First Place Chili will receive a hand painted Wendell Rankin Stove and we will once again be raffling off a stove and Liquor Baskets. The NOW Pod will be hosting a cooks party Friday night; see cook off information for Friday and Sunday as well. Come on out for three days of Chili, Charity and Fun! Contact Kelly Brignon at 469-628-8840 or kbrignon- tbdemo@sbcglobal.net for information.

Feb 6, 2010-008 - Piedras Negras, MX CASI. 25th Annual Mexico International Chili Cookoff. Held at Casa Blanca across from Eagle Pass TX Bus trip available, please call or write. Entry fee $50 turn-in 1 PM. 2 LB of chili grind furnished. Benefits the local orphanage. Make checks payable to Purgatory Creek Pod. Chili grind only. Contact Larry Burruss 512-353-8895. Please register by February 2nd.

Feb 6, 2010-009 - Minden, LA CASI. Louisiana State Championship. & 19th Annual St. Jude Chili Cookoff at Minden Civic Center, downtown. Automatic qualifier for TICC. TURN IN TIME - 1:00 P.M. Entry fee $20.00 payable to St. Jude Chili Cookoff. World- Class Cooks' Gumbo Supper Friday nite! Breakfast Saturday! Band Saturday! Goody bags - 1st 60 cooks! Awesome prizes! Last year: 102 cooks. People's Choice. Over 400 "tasters"! Please everyone----bring extra chili! RV parking after 3pm Friday. Please call Jerry Hunt ahead of time at 797-0719 so we know number. Fabulous opportunity to participate in St. Jude Auction Friday/Saturday (last year $876,264 raised - cars, trucks, tv's, trailers - never a dull moment! Checks payable to St. Jude Chili Cookoff. INFO: George E. French III 318-371-5601 (days) or 318-377-8369 (evenings) c/o Minden Medical Center, #1 Medical Plaza, Minden, LA 71055.

Feb 7, 2010-001 - Bryan, TX CASI. Sunday Brazos Valley Elks 859 4th Annual Cookoff. Details to follow. Roger Schoppe.

Feb 7, 2010-002 - Waxahachie, TX CASI. The Cotton Patch CCO Please join us for the Annual Cotton Patch CCO held at the Ellis Co. Expo Center in Waxahachie, TX (located on Hwy 287 Exit #403 off of I35E). Entry fee is $18, turn in time is Noon. Chili Grind Only. Once again we will have the handmade cotton bale trophies for Top 10 Chili and Top 3 Show. This is the final day of our 3 day cook off benefiting The Gingerbread House and Ellis Co. Childrens Advocacy Center. See cook off information for Friday and Saturday also - indoor cooking is available all 3 days. Contact Kelly Brignon at 469-628-8840 or kbrignon-tbdemo@sbcglobal.net for information. Come on out and have a great time Ellis Co. Style!!!

Feb 6, 2010-003 - Fort Worth, TX CASI. 1st CASI Chili Cookoff. - VFW Post #10374, 13825 US Hwy 287, Ft. Worth, TX 76179. Benefits VFW Post #10374 Charities Turn-in Time 2 PM. Entry Fee $20. Checks Payable to VFW Post #10374 Contact Chuck Edmonds - 210-831- 1125. Chili Grind Only

I am doing a quick post this afternoon and will do another post in the morning.

From Keith Karaff:
We are just weeks away from the 33rd Annual Texas Open. Its still not too late send in your registration form. We have added a Sunday cookoff as well and there is plenty of room for trailers and motorhomes, no hook ups. Or if you'd prefer to daytrip, there is a hotel adjacent to the property that is offering $59 a night room rates.


For more information you can contact Keith at kdkone@aol.com or dana at danap903@comcast.net

We look forward to seeing everyone.

From Fred Westerman:

Melba is at home now after back surgery almost a week ago. She is hobbling around on a walker but getting better every day.

She had I think 5 vertebrae fused in her lower back.

From Kelly Brignon:
“The Gingerbread House will be offering a Prime Rib dinner Saturday February 6th after the chili cook off. Any chili cook that would like to have dinner that evening will be able to purchase a dinner ticket for $20.00 per person if they notify the Gingerbread House by Wednesday February 3rd. Dinner will be served at 7 pm. Please call John Wyckoff with the Ellis County Childrens Advocacy Center at 972.937.1870 to make a dinner reservation.”

From Larry Kinnison:
Did anyone leave a gray jacket at Kingsland CCO?  Contact Larry at drk@tstar.net

From Barbara Taylor:
Here is the address if anyone wants to send a card to the family of Dianna Keys: Bonnie & Buddy McDowell, P O Box 5, Smithland, KY 42081-0005. I don't have any information on Billy's family.

This is all the information that I have at this time to publish.  Hopefully very soon I will be back to a more regular time of preparing this blog.  I am in hopes that in the next 15 days things will be better for me.  Thanks for everybodies patience.

Janice