We got back on the chili trail and spent a nice weekend at the Bastrop American Legion this weekend. Crystal and her crew at the Legion were wonderful hosts. We were well-fed and entertained all weekend. Sue Caffey will send full coverage of the cookoff in a day or two.

NEWS

Pat Krenek is a very proud aunt:

“Michelle L. Krenek, formerly of Fayetteville, Texas, graduated from Parker College of Chiropractic in Dallas, Texas with a Doctor of Chiropractic Degree on Saturday, December 13, 2008. She is the daughter of Mike and Rita Krenek of Fayetteville and Helen Krenek and Chester Krueger of Schulenburg.

Michelle completed three years of intensive study, including three trimesters as an intern and graduated Cum Laude receiving the Dr. Robert J. Czopoth Service & Leadership Award, the Dallas Clinic Outstanding Intern and the Clinical Assistant Award.

Parker College of Chiropractic is one of the country's leading educator of healthcare professionals with an international student enrollment. Founded in 1982, the private, non-profit educational institution prepares men and women to become Doctors of Chiropractic.

Krenek graduated from Fayetteville High School in 1998 and received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Kinesiology from the University of Texas in San Antonio. After teaching high school math and coaching basketball at Klein Forest High School in Houston as well as Copperas Cove, she decided to pursue a career as a healthcare professional.

Dr. Krenek is currently working in Tampa, Florida.”

“TO THOSE WHO ARE ATTENDING THE CASI BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEEETING:

THE IRVING ELKS LODGE IS HOSTING A RSVP PRIME RIB DINNER ON SATURDAY NIGHT, JANUARY 24 TH AT 7:00 PM. IF YOU AND YOUR GUEST WOULD LIKE TO ENJOY THIS GOURMET MEAL PLEASE R S V P, BY JANUARY 21, TO JOHN GRAY AT
jgray@mcoftexas.com. BEFORE WEDNESDAY JANUARY 21ST SO HE WILL HAVE ENOUGH PRIME RIB FOR THOSE THAT WANT TO ENJOY THIS WONDERFUL MEAL.” (Doris Coats)

Update on Richard King:

“I was mistaken in my previous email as to the diagnosis of Richard's leukemia. Acording to the bone marow biopsy report he has precursor b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Right now he is in ICU where they are closely watching his respatory functions (breathing). Also he has an infection in his colon. Until these two things are cleared up they will not start the chemotheropy.

I visited him last night and fed him a little sherbert and he drank some juice. He had been on dietary restrictions before that.

Also yesterday, he had a lombar puncture (spinal tap) done to check his spinal fluid. I am sure it will be a few days before we get the results of that. They also put in a PIC line where they can run IV's, draw blood, administer medicines, etc. This will help since the medi port has not had very much success and the last attempt to put in an IV did not work.

I will try to keep you posted with his progress. I have started a mailing list so if I missed anyone on this list let me know who to add.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support.” (Diane King)

RESULTS and UPCOMINGS

“The Highland Lakes Pod would like to say "Thank You" to all that came to the New Years CCO in Kingsland. What a FANTASTIC week we had. So many new cooks and cooks from far away. This CCO is the main fundraiser that the Kingsland American Legion has....and they are so thankful that we support them. Thank you to all the volunteers that made this CCO a success. We started our week off having hamburgers and fellowship New Years Eve before the dance. Sixty plus chili cooks came to the dance......and we all celebrated and brought in the NEW YEAR together...kissing, hugging, drinking champagne and eating black-eyed peas. Thanks to all the chefs that helped get breakfast served for all on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. We had 50 cooks on Thursday, 65 cooks on Friday and 61 cooks on Saturday. So you see we didn't lose any cooks......they were having too much fun and came back to join the fellowship. The Legion Auxiliary fed the cooks stew and cornbread Thursday night. Friday and Saturday night we had delicious potluck. We played cards and dominoes each night and had lots of fun and fellowship. If you didn't make it this year....you want to put this CCO on your list for 2009. Thank you again.....WE WISH EVERYONE A HEALTHY, HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

RESULTS

1-1-2009 50 COOKS

1. Bucky Seelig
2. Jan Daily
3. Clint Wooster
4. Jean Barkley
5. Joyce Jowers
6. Audrey Steinkamp
7. Keith Karaff
8. Sherrie Davis
9. Tammie Wooster
10. Cliff Miller

SHOW

1. Spine Tingling Chili...Carrie Kinnison
2. Tri-2-Go Chili...Joe Trigo
3. Tall Girl Frog...Sue Caffey

1-2-2009 65 COOKS

1. Janice Miller
2. Karin Baines
3. Earl Who
4. Dave Boone
5. Doc Kinnison
6. Bill Dees
7. Sue Caffey
8. Kelley Tallavera
9. Cathey Boone
10. Jan Daily

SHOW

1. Tri-2-Go Chili....Joe Trigo
2. Chili Fan ATIS...Debra Armstrong
3. Fall From Grace....Kelley Talavera


1-3-2009 61 COOKS

1. Tammie Wooster
2. Connie Collier
3. Charmaine Rogers
4. Clyde Rogers
5. Tim Collier
6. Earl Who
7. Sabrina Klietz
8. John Caffey
9. Fred Westerman
10. Leslie Stratton (New Cook)

SHOW

1. Tal Girl Frog...Sue Caffey
2. Pig Stop Chili...Sharon Dosier
3. Doc's Backbone Chili...Doc Kinnison”
(Larry Kinnison)

“Mark your calendars for August 15th, 2009. Middlefield Massachusetts will be the sight of the first EVER Massachusetts State Championship.

There will be comps in CASI Red and Juniors this year. If enough people are interested we will add SHOW.

This event is in conjunction with the Middlefield Fair. Lots of other activities to include country bands, skillet tossing contest for the women, chainsaw tossing contest for the men, Truck and OX pull, all sorts of country baking contests that we can participate in and sample. Great prizes for all cooks. Special room rates for the cooks for Friday and Saturday night. There is a camp ground near by for tents and RV's. (Hoping to see some of our wayward brethren from Texas, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arizona.)

We are hoping to have our current TICC Champ, Susan Dean, on hand to show us Yankee's how to cook a proper pot o Red! Come on CASI cooks lets show Massachusetts and the rest of the North East what CASI is all about.

Lots more info to come as we get closer to August. Q's : info@chili-mac.com” (Jen Windsor)

POTPOURRI

Happy Birthday to Bonnie Black, Carol Kitchens, and Duke Walton.

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