August 14, 2009 Howdy BBQ Gang! Welcome to the unpredictable, wild and mildly remunerative world of the Illinois BBQ Society's Weekly(ish) eNewsletter. Thanks to your double-opt-in subscription; you'll now be receiving regular to semi-regular emails from ILBBQS. Perhaps even a random delivery or two to keep you on your toes. You might want to alert your spam nanny so that valuable information and critical news release information are not unduly delayed. Now to the good stuff. Here's what's going on the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ St. Peter Prairie Days BBQ Cook-Off ~ 2 Day Contest ~ Taste of Heaven BBQ Cook-Off ~ 1 Day Contest ~ WELCOME NEW CONTEST MEMBER...Wabash RibberFest ~ Set Sail with AZBarbeque ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming MBN Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... ***UPDATED*** For additional information on these stories, and more, be sure to visit the Illinois BBQ Society online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: "In the Heat of Battle" Competition Boot Camp ONLY 1 SPOT REMAINS for this experience of a lifetime. September 24th - 26th will be the battle dates as you will have the opportunity to experience a full-on, worldclass barbecue competition FROM THE INSIDE! Join Bandit BBQ Crew for an ALL ACCESS glimpse into the Professional BBQ Competition arena as a fully fledged member of their Pit Crew. This totally hands-on experience is only available to a few select individuals who are willing to learn the secrets of prepping, smoking, and presenting award winning competition style barbeque in a real life competition. For additional information, visit http://www.BanditBBQ.com/join.htm to find out how you to can learn the secrets of the pros! x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x St. Peter Prairie Days BBQ Cook-Off ~ 2 Day Contest We're now just a week away from this 2nd Annual St. Peter Prairie Day's BBQ Cook-Off and anticipation is about to reach its peak. Last year's event (chronicled on YouTube at http://www.RhinoRoadTrip.com) made the inaugural run of the 1st ever barbeque cook-off for this usually quiet town in South Central Illinois, and was deemed a huge success by teams, judges, and spectators alike. THIS year's event will be doubly exciting as the organizers have expanded to a full-blown, no-holds-barred, 4 meat, overnight contest to see who's who of the barbecue world. Rules for competition are similar to Kansas City styled contests as this event is gearing up to be a fully sanctioned (KCBS) contest in 2010. Contest Reps Lynn Bruce and Suzan Dailey will be on hand for the Illinois BBQ Society to administer a watchful eye and guidance to organizers, teams, and judges. There are still a few spots available for teams and judges, but will likely fill up by contest time, so be sure to contact John Lotz (Mayor of St. Peter and Contest Co-Organizer) ASAP if you are interested in participating. For additional information, check out the 'Contests/Events' page at http://www.ILBBQS.com ! *************************************** Taste of Heaven BBQ Cook-Off ~ 1 Day Contest If you haven't already done so, be sure to mark your calendars for the 1st (soon-to-be-annual) Taste of Heaven BBQ Cook-Off in Centralia, Illinois. This one-day cook-off is sure to challenge both experienced and novice cooks with only three categories of Sausage, Chicken & Ribs. Determined to make this a top-notch event, Contest Organizer Ronnie Langenfeld has already booked Mr. Lyn Bruce and Ms. Suzan Dailey to rep the contest and oversee the judging. The contest is set to take place on Saturday, September 19th in Centralia, Illinois, and is set to coincide with the St. Mary's Annual Autumn Festival. In order to assure this first year event kicks off in the right direction, they are limiting the team count to twelve with desires to expand for next year's event. 100% of the team entry fees will be awarded back as prize money! So, with nearly $1,000 in prizes being awarded, and paying deep in each category, this contest is sure to fill up quickly as new inquiries arrive weekly. One thing is for sure...with Lynn Bruce and Suzan Daily as reps, this will be one well run event, will provide for a fun experience, and will be one of Southern Illinois' 'contests to remember'...teams and judges are encouraged to sign-up early to guarantee a spot for this event. For additional information, check out the 'Contests/Events' page at http://www.ILBBQS.com ! *************************************** WELCOME NEW CONTEST MEMBER... Wabash RibberFest in Mt. Carmel, Illinois! Now in it's 11th year of competition, this event (once a MBN event) is now fully backed by KCBS for the second year in a row (September 11th & 12th), and will be repped by the dynamic duo of Kathy Brazier and Phillip Brazier. This year's event will feature a couple of new events that are sure to be a hit. According to Chuck Johnson, contest co-organizer, "We do have our "NEW"  Wabash RibberFest 'People Choice Smack-Down, featuring a Friday night Rib Burn-Off (sponsored by Old National Bank and WYNG); versus Saturday's Wabash Butt Kickin' Throwdown (sponsored by First Bank and Daily Republican Register). There is NO entry fee for either event and we supply the meat. contact me for more info, and contest forms." Teams from nearly all corners of the U.S.A. have enjoyed this event for a number of year; this year will be no exception. There are still a few team spots open, so contact Chuck Johnson if you're interested in taking part in this long standing contest, as a competitor OR a judge! Additional information can be found on the 'Contests & Events' page, or contact Chuck Johnson online at cjohnson@shawneelink.net . For additional information, check out the 'Contests/Events' page at http://www.ILBBQS.com ! *************************************** Set Sail with AZBarbeque Have you ever been on an ocean cruise? Have you ever wanted to go on an ocean cruise? Now's the chance to take that dream vacation AND spend some time with barbeque fiends from all around the country! Our good friends of the AZBarbeque have worked out a deal with Kelly's Custom Travel to take a 7 Day Mexican Riviera Cruise in 2010 with barbeque folk from all over the place. Check out the email we received from Michael Reimann, President of the AZBarbeque... Hey all, we are planning a Huge Group Cruise for AZBarbeque, our members, friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc. on June 6th, 2010. It is a 7 day Mexican Rivera cruise with stops in Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta & Cabo San Lucas. It leaves out of Long Beach, CA. Our Travel Agent is: Kelly Nelson KELLY'S CUSTOM TRAVEL 602-625-2413 Here is her message to me.. We have space held on this sailing. They are only requiring $25.00 per person by August 15th 2009 to hold the cabins. The remaining $225.00 will be due on Jan. 7th 2010 with final payment due on or before March 23rd 2010. The prices on the flyer are including taxes and fees. Feel free to call me anytime with questions and or concerns.  The nice part is that once you put your initial $25 deposit down, you can then make payment during the year until you have it paid off. This makes it nice so that you are not hit with the entire bill at once. Cabins range in price, so contact Kelly to find out what the different cabin prices are. Make sure to tell her you are with the AZBarbeque group. This is also 100% refundable, so you have nothing to lose if something comes up and you need to change or cancel. Contact Kelly for all the details. We would love to have you all come and join us on this great vacation. If you have never gone with a big group on a cruise, then you are missing out, it is a total party and fun time. You can see more details and fun pictures by visiting http://www.azbarbeque.com/forums/azbarbeque-group-cruise-june-6th-2010 Invite your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, etc to join us as well. The more, the merrier. Depending upon how many people we get to go, we have some great things planned. From special meet & greets on the ship to special contests and events on the ship for CASH prizes. It's really going to be a lot of fun, so get your deposits in now and join us for the vacation of a lifetime. Let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Regards, Michael J. Reimann AZBarbeque.com www.AZBarbeque.com mailto:Michael@AZBarbeque.com THANK YOU TO MICHAEL AND THE AZBARBEQUE FOR ASKING US TO JOIN THEM ON WHAT IS SURE TO BE A FUN AND MEMORABLE ADVENTURE!! *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ August 21-22 - St. Peter, IL - Contact: John Lotz @ 618-553-5585 ~ E-mail: lotztrucking@frontiernet.net - Jay Chapman @ 618-553-8311 - or Matt Hoover @ 618-322-0708 ~ September 5 - Buffalo Grove Days BBQ Challenge - CContact: Chuck Posniak, 401 South Central Street, Mineral, Illinois 61344 - Phone: 847-541-8482 - E-mail: cposniak@att.net ~ September 19th - St. Mary's Taste of Heaven Cook-Off - Contact: Ronnie Langenfeld, Centralia, Illinois 62801 - Phone: 618-322-0732 - E-mail: langenfeldhomeinspections@yahoo.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ September 24 to 26 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ October 9 & 10 - Central Illinois Bragging Rights, Contact: George Fritz, 136 S. Vine Street, Arthur, IL 61911, Phone: 217-543-2181, E-mail: bbq@arthuril.com ~ October 9 & 10 - Super City Blues & Ques - Contact: Priscilla Abell, 106 W. 5th Street, Metropolis, IL 62960 - Phone: 618-524-1696 Fax: 618-524-2582 - Email: metropolisparks@verizon.net ~ October 16 & 17 - Barn Burner BarBQ at Lamb's Farm - Contact: Claudia Stevens, 14245 W. Rockland Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048 - Phone: 847-990-3750 ~ Fax: 847-362-0742 - E-mail: crs@lambsfarm.org ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2009 Memphis BBQ Network Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ September 11 & 12 - Wabash Ribberfest State Barbecue Championship, Contact: Chuck Johnson, 5 Lambert Place, Mt. Carmel, IL 62863, Phone: 618-262-6822, Email: cjohnson@shawneelink.net ~ September 24 to 26 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: catering17@egyptian.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming Certified BBQ Judge's and Certified Table Captain's Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ None currently scheduled. (That I know of...if you know of any, let me know!) *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ September 24th - 26th ~ "In the Heat of Battle" Competition Boot Camp - Cost: $150 - Instructor: Jim 'Rhino' Reincke, Crew Chief of Bandit BBQ Crew - Location: Murphysboro, IL Barbecue Cook-Off - Email: rhino@banditbbq.com - Online: http://www.BanditBBQ.com/join.htm **ONLY 1 SPOT LEFT!!** *************************************** These stories, and more, can be found online at http://www.ILBBQS.com . Most of the stories online have active links for ease of finding more information...be sure to visit the website for your full ILBBQS experience! If you have a BBQ related news item you would like to share with the group, be sure to send it in! There is an easy-to-use 'Submit News' button on our website at http://www.ILBBQS.com ...use it often! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino