NEWS

“Please keep George Thompson from Houston in your prayers. He just got the news this week that he is now battling stage four colon cancer and they also found a spot on his lung and one on his liver. Spoke with him today and he is being set up with home chemo treatments starting next week. There is no cure he said, but this will hopefully give him more time to enjoy life. George and Edna are long time chili cooks in the Houston area and an active member of the Houston Elks #151. He is 88 years young and looking forward to a lot more years he said, and also said he is not ready to give up yet. God Bless George and we are glad you are not yet ready to give up.

If you would like to send him a card his address is George Thompson, 6850 Hazen Street, Houston, TX 77074” (Mayo Blair)

EDITORIALS & LETTERS

There will be no more editorials in the CHN. One reason is that no matter how radical a role I’ve assumed, I’ve failed to inspire responses. If we can’t get a mix of opinions, I don’t feel it’s a worthy endeavor. I’ve been told by several Board members that it’s because the membership doesn’t care. I don’t believe that. Maybe it’s my poor writing.

However, the main reason is that I’ve caught myself backsliding in my rehabilitation. After six years as ED, it was just too easy to respond to the requests of readers to begin a series of editorials. Unfortunately, that slides me back into the world of chili politics and egos that dominated the ED position.

For six years I took the heat for CASI. Some of the situations were of my own doing but most were taking one on the chin for the Board of Directors or for mythical positions others made up and attributed to me. That was okay at the time because I ran for the position with my eyes open and understood it went the job.

Immediately after retiring, I understood the toll it took and how personally damaging chili politics is. After close to a year, I’m still pretty uncomfortable with the idea of going to cookoffs because of the anticipation of political ugliness. Taking the job of the TICC champ’s chauffer has not left me any choice, and that’s a good thing. I’ve continued to experience the friendship of fellow cooks and I think eventually I can again enjoy going to cookoffs.

Writing editorials moved me back in that ugly direction and I want no part of it. CASI is a wonderful organization made up of the friendliest, most generous people anywhere. That’s the only part that I want to see, so I will be resuming my spot as Mr. Susan, doing my best to focus only on the good. We’ll continue to travel the country promoting CASI and its sponsors.

Next week, we leave for a cookoff in Massachusetts. We’ll be several days on the road and will publish as we can. I’ve got some new ideas to make this forum fun and will detail them as I can. Alan

POTPOURRI

Happy Birthday to Mayo Blair and Donn Shands.

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