January 25, 2010 Hello BBQ Gang! Welcome to the unpredictable Illinois BBQ Society's Weekly(ish) eNewsletter. Thanks to your double-opt-in subscription; you're now 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... ~ Sanctioned Contest News... ~ Non-Sanctioned Contest News... ~ 6th Annual Smokin' In The Park... ~ 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: 2010 Winter Burn-Off BBQ & Chili Cookoff for N.O.A.H. Mark your calendar for February 14th! It'll be a very Happy Valentine's Day for you, your sweetie, and for the N.O.A.H. - The National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation - as the Annual Winter Burnoff BBQ & Chili Cookoff will once again take place in Des Plaines, Illinois. This year's event will feature a Chili Cook-Off too! For additional information, please visit http://www.KRESmokers.com . x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x Sanctioned Contest News... First the good news... Dateline: Rend Lake (Benton/West City, IL) - A brand new contest has joined the ranks of the Southern Illinois Sanctioned Competition BBQ Circuit...The Best Dam BBQ Cookoff, at the Rend Lake Dam, is a KCBS Sanctioned Contest, and will be taking place July 2nd & 3rd. Entry fee is only $150, making it an economical contest as well. After a few conversations with the organizer (and Mayor), this sounds as though it will be a really fun contest. Space is limited though, so make sure to get your entry form in if you're considering competing in this contest! Visit their website at http://bestdambbqcookoff.weebly.com for additional information and contest application. Additionally, though not listed on the KCBS website yet, word has come in that the Steeleville, Illinois contest WILL happen again this year. Application to KCBS is being submitted for approval. Stay tuned for details. Now for the Not-So-Good News... After numerous emails, and phone calls, from teams wanting to find out more about the Wamac, Illinois Contest, it is with regret that the official word has come down that the City of Wamac has decided to not keep this contest going. Big kudos to Shane "Chubby" Swartzlander for his hard work, and dedication, to this contest the past two years. Props Bro! (On a side note, HUGE CONGRATS to Shane...he just took ownership of property to open Jo-Nick's Dogs & BBQ in Centralia, Illinois...GO CHUBBY!) *************************************** Non-Sanctioned Contest News... The popular one-day 'backyard' contest in Alma, Illinois (at Orchard View Winery) has been scheduled for Saturday, August 7th. Formerly known as HolySmoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off, it has been re-branded The BBQ Throwdown & Jam to better convey the fun and activities that will again be taking place in this 4th year event. With concession profits continuing to benefit St. Theresa Elementary School, this cook-off (chicken, pork ribs and pork loin), which will feature Kansas City Style rules and judging, there will also be a Dessert Contest, 5K Run/Walk, Beverage Garden with Award Winning Wine & beer, scenic surroundings, and Live Music jammin' throughout the day! Space is limited to 25 teams for this year, and judging by the response of the past few years, should fill up in short time. For additional information, and contest applications for Teams and/or Judges, surf over to http://www.TheBBQThrowdown.com . *************************************** 6th Annual Smokin' In The Park... ...in LeRoy, Illinois will be held Saturday, June 12, 2010. More information and a website link as it becomes available. In the meantime, anyone interested can contact Hap & Becky Zook at bjzook@verizon.net. *************************************** 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 & Chili Cook-Off - Contact: Keith Engstrom, 915 Second Avenue, Des Plaines, IL 60016 - Phone: (847) 312-4053 - E-mail: rekengstr@ameritech.net ~ August 7th - Alma, Illinois ~ 4th Annual Holy Smoke Backyard BBQ Cook-Off @ Orchard View Winery ~ Contact: Jim Rhino ~ Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ Email: rhino@banditbbq.com ~ 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) ~ Plainfield, Illinois ~ January 28-30, 2010 ~ Fire & Flavor Workshop ~ Instructor: Mathew Freistadt ~ Contact Information: Mathew Freistadt ~ Phone: (630)-347-5807 ~ Email: mathew@theschooloffire.com ~ Online: www.TheSchoolOfFire.com ~ 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