Good evening from somewhere in the middle of Tennessee. Fifteen hours on the road today, twelve tomorrow, and seven or eight on Friday and we’ll be ready to explore the newest CASI outpost, Massachusetts (see below).

Molly, the Chili Dog has been enjoying the trip from her spot on the back seat. Every time we turn, she gets up and looks so she knows the route just in case she has to drive on our return to Texas.

Between now and Monday, we’ll be in touch as we find Internet service. We’ll definitely be back online, from Maryland, on Monday.

NEWS

“It is with much sadness that I report to you Rusty Paske is in ICU at South St David's Hospital in Austin. They transported him from LLano yesterday by ambulance. The report I received is that his kidneys and liver are not functioning properly at this time. Please keep Rusty & Fae in your thought & prayers. I will keep you updated.” Ruby Ross

RESULTS and UPCOMINGS

Middlefield Fair and state Chili Cook-Off Championship this weekend

by The Republican Entertainment Desk
Wednesday August 12, 2009, 6:57 AM
By MANON L. MIRABELLI
Organizers of Middlefield's 154-year-old fair are hoping this year's first state chili championship will become an ongoing tradition and breathe new life into the historic event that attracts visitors from as far as Texas to one of the oldest agricultural fairs in New England.

James F. Basile, a former Middlefield Fair board member and the chili cook-off coordinator, says the cook-off, part of a national competition, is being brought here to help fill the fair's coffers left empty by the loss of funds traditionally provided by the state through dog and horse racing revenues.

"It got us by from year to year, but now we have to go back to the basics and have fund-raisers," Basile said.

The chili contest, he added, is being sponsored by the Chili Appreciation Society International, an organization that helps groups throughout the United States hold chili-cooking contests for charity.
"We're very excited about this," Basile said. "We've already had a tremendous response from people all over the United States. An old- fashioned country fair really draws their attention, and this is one of the oldest in New England."

The chili, he said, will be evaluated by volunteer judges based on aroma, color, taste and aftertaste. Judges, who are scheduled to meet on the fairgrounds at 10 a.m. on Aug. 15, are being sought to participate in the event, and anyone interested in sampling the contestants' culinary creations should contact Basile.

"This contest is for a traditional chili," he noted. "It can't have any beans or fillers. It's supposed to have a little kick, but it doesn't have to be kicked-up too many notches." Basile also said he and other fair organizers are hoping that the "staycation" phenomenon will result in a greater number of visitors to the fair, as well as chili cook-off contestants and judges.

"We are looking for the best chili in Massachusetts," Basile said. "The winner will be eligible to compete in the National CASI Chili Cook-off in Texas."

Registration applications, he added, will be accepted "right up until the burners are turned on."
"We will not turn anyone away," Basile said.

In addition to the chili-cooking contest, other fair highlights will include pie-baking contests, a skillet pitching contest for the women and a chainsaw tossing contest for the men, and tractor and ox pulls, as well as all-day live country western music. The gates open on Friday; a rededication of the exhibition hall, which dates back to the fair's first run in 1855 is set for Sunday at 2:30 p.m.
All proceeds from the chili contest will benefit the betterment of the fair, which is presented by the Highland Agricultural Society.

Middlefield, a community of about 200 residents in the winter months, grows to a population of up to 1,200 in the summer when many New Yorkers come to their second homes, Basile said.

POTPOURRI

Happy Birthday to Rick Butler, Clem Clement, and Mick Joplin on Thursday.

News items and pictures for the CHN can be emailed to pepperdean@ctesc.net