Happy New Year BBQ Gang...Officially! January 4, 2010 Hello 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... ~ 2010 Winter Burn-Off...Mark Your Calendars ~ 2010 Contest Season Taking Shape... ~ Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info... ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming MBN Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... 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: The Good-One line of Smokers and Grills It's time to show the Jones' what a cloud of dust looks like! With The Good-One line of Smokers, Grills and Accessories, you'll set the bar to a whole new level. Being a 'Cowboy Dealer' for Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties, Bandit BBQ Crew is your one stop shopping for award winning Smokers, Grills, Competition BBQ Sauces & Rubs from 3 Little Pigs BBQ, All Natural Lump Charcoal, and all the latest accessories for your Good-One Smoker or Grill. For convenient online information, check out http://www.BanditBBQ.com/goodone ! x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x 2010 Winter Burn-Off...Mark Your Calendars The date is finally set. The 2010 Winter Burn-Off, in Des Plaines, is going to happen on Sunday, February 14th at the River Rand Bowling Alley. According to contest organizer Keith Engstrom (KRE Smokers), they are looking for certified judges and will again be using this cook friendly contest as a fundraiser for Albinism. To sign up for this contest (cooks and/or judges) contact Keith at rekengstr@ameritech.net . *************************************** 2010 Contest Season Taking Shape... Though we're barely into this new year, the Contest/Event's page of the http://www.ILBBQS.com website is filling up with both returning favorites AND hot new contests. Be sure to check the bottom of this email for sanctioned and non-sanctioned contests, but for the most up-to-the-minute listing, surf over to the Contest/Events page at http://www.ILBBQS.com . If you know of a contest and/or barbeque event taking place (that is not currently listed) PLEASE send the info to us for free listing! *************************************** Illinois Barbeque News, Updates, eNewsletter & Team Info... Membership in the Illinois BBQ Society is at an all time high...that's the good news. The OTHER news (we don't like the words 'bad news') is that with barbeque interest on the rise, it has been very difficult for just one person to stay on top of everything going on in the 'que world. WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you know of anything barbeque related going on in the state, know of anything newsworthy regarding any of our members, or have a little story, recipe, or idea you would like to share with your fellow cooks, judges, and enthusiasts, please email them to us. We are starved for info to place on this page and in our eNewsletter. Thanks for your continued help in pushing the barbeque movement forward! Onward & Upward! *************************************** Upcoming 2010 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ February 14th - 2010 Winter Burn-Off - Contact: Keith Engstrom, 915 Second Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Phone: (847) 312-4053 - E-mail: rekengstr@ameritech.net ~ September 18th - Glen Ellyn Backyard Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Tom Koprowski, Glen Ellyn, Illinois - Phone: 630-890-0465 - Email: koprowski1@sbcglobal.net ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming 2010 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ June 4 & 5 - Taylorville Main Street Barbeque Blues and Cruise - Contact: Paul Mizeur, 108 W Market / PO Box 350, Taylorville, IL 62568 - Phone: 217-287-1876 Fax: 217-287-1876 - Email: paul.mizeur@usbank.com ~ July 2 & 3 - The Best Dam BBQ Cookoff Benton-West City, IL - Contact: Charles Cockrum , 211 N Main St., Benton, IL 62812 - Phone: 618-927-6157 - Email: bestdambbq@gmail.com ~ July 9 & 10 - 20th Annual Illinois State Championship & Butt to Butt Pork Invitational - Contact: Connie Smith, 301 E. Sunrise Drive, Shannon, IL 61078 - Phone: 816-864-2542 ~ Fax: 815-864-2825 - E-mail: connieroethesmith@yahoo.com ~ September 10 & 11 - Smoke on the River Quincy, IL - Contact: Mel Dillman, 523 South 8th St, Quincy, IL 62301 - Phone: 217-228-1208 - Fax: 217-228-1976 - Email: mdillman5905@sbcglobal.net ~ September 10 & 11 - Wabash Ribber Fest Barbecue Championship Mt. Carmel, IL - Contact: Colette Grigsby, 9403 Sand Barrens Lane, St. Francisville, IL 62460 - Phone: 618-262-4339 -Fax: 618-262-4339 - Email: gcysmith@shawneelink.net ~ September 24 & 25 - Murphysboro Barbeque Cook-Off - Contact: Gary Strothmann, PO Box 382, Murphysboro, IL 62966 - Phone: 618-684-8902, Fax: 618-687-4311 - Email: becky@17thstreetbarbecue.com ~ October 8 & 9 - 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 ~ 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 24 to 25 - 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) ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Westmont, Illinois ~ 02/19/10 to 02/20/10 ~ Instructors: Scottie Johnson & Mike Wozniac ~ Contact Information: Scottie Johnson ~ Phone: 630-988-0526 ~ Email: scottie@cancersuckschicago.com ~ Please check http://www.ILBBQS.com for current updates. *************************************** 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! As always, if you have any pictures, stories, news items, comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino