Hey Gang! The Memorial Day cooking weekend is behind us we can now concentrate on the rest of the season...which for most of us means June through May. Here's what's happening the world of Illinois BBQ Society... -> WGN Radio Interview a Success! -> ILBBQS Logo Contest Getting Underway -> Looking for Pictures & Reporters -> ILBBQS.com Website to feature Podcasts & Newsletter Archives -> Contest Updates & Wrap-ups -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- This newsletter brought to you by: Ace of Hearts BBQ Accessories - Topeka, Kansas Featuring a full array of BBQ Accessories and the famous Good-One Cooker. Visit them online at http://www.AceOfHeartsBBQ.com (Tell 'em you heard about them from ILBBQS!) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> WGN Radio Interview a Success! May 26th marked the biggest PR milestone to date for the ILBBQS. In case you missed it, I was interviewed by Nick Digilio from Chicago's #1 News/Talk Radio Station AM720. I'm proud to say that the interview went well, and traffic to this website has increased more than 1,000% since interview last Saturday night! Nick Digilio and talked extensively about the ILBBQS, upcoming barbeque events in the state, and even had time to take calls from listeners. In case you missed it, be sure to click the Podcast Button to download the interview. There was even a surprise visit from BBQ Ben (my 10 month old son who decided to chime in about halfway through the interview). All-in-all, it was a very good interview that shed a nice light on both the ILBBQS and outdoor cooking in general. Special thanks to those of you who submitted contest updates and news info! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> ILBBQS Logo Contest Getting Underway I know, I know...it's LONG overdue! Okay, I must admit, I am not in the top bazillion greatest artists in the world. Thus I must admit that the ILBBQS Logo was customized from a piece of clip-art found on the Internet somewhere. Due to my lack of artistic abilities, I am turning to you for help in designing a new ILBBQS Logo. I think it should be something simple, concise, and representative of the ILBBQS mission, "Uniting BBQ Enthusiasts In Search of Excellent 'Que". It should also be something that will transfer well to everything from embroidered shirts to large banners...something that will look as good on a small scale as it will on a larger-than-life scale. Are you up for the challenge? Although I'm not able to put up a $10,000 PRIZE (if you're just scanning this newsletter, I bet that got your attention, didn't it!?!?) I will come up with some prize that I promise will not be completely lame. If any of you have a BBQ related product you'd like to donate to the prize package, let me know! Please send your logo ideas to bbq@ilbbqs.com ... mark the 'Subject' line with LOGO DESIGN. Depending on the interest from you, this contest could end next week, or it could drag on through the entire summer...SEND IN YOUR IDEAS! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Looking for Pictures & Reporters If you're reading this newsletter there's a pretty good chance you are somewhat creative by nature. Let's face it, there are very few cooks out there who do not have some creative juices just ready to get out. If this describes you, ILBBQS NEEDS YOU! Although our membership now spans 6 states and 2 countries, the operational staff of ILBBQS numbers a whopping one person...me. I wish I could get out there to every contest in the state, but it just isn't feasible at this time. Perhaps when I win the Lotto, can retire and do nothing but BBQ it'll happen. Until then, I need your help in getting contest updates, wrap-ups, and pictures. We need these things for our website so that everyone can stay informed and up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Illinois barbeque. Being a the trusting group that we are, I'll trust that the news stories/blurbs/updates/pictures will be written to shed the best possible light on the contests and events in the state. In other words, let's all be nice to one another. I probably will not publish a scathing report on a contest or organizer if it comes from a rival contest and/or organizer. However, I WILL publish your stories/updates/blurbs/pictures that will represent our members well to an International readership...SEND IN THOSE STORIES AND PICTURES! (please.) Submit your stories/updates/blurbs/pictures to bbq@ilbbqs.com . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> ILBBQS.com Website to feature Podcasts & Newsletter Archives Sometime over the next couple of weeks I will be updating the website to include a Newsletter Archive, and a section where you will be able to download any Podcasts that have to do with ILBBQS, our members, and/or events. If you are like me and do not even own an Apple I-Pod...don't worry. These 'Podcasts' are nothing more than MP3 files that can be played on nearly any computer in the universe or nearly ANY digital MP3 player, stereo, or Walkman. To download the 'Podcast', simply look for the Purple Podcast Button (like the one currently featured on the homepage of our site). If you happen to do a radio or television interview, send the files to me...I'll get them on the site for all members to enjoy! Send files to bbq@ilbbqs.com . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Contest Updates & Wrap-ups Westmont, Illinois - May 26/27, 2007... KCBS Sanctioned From all that I have heard, which at this point has not been much (hint, hint), the 1st Annual Red, White & BBQ event in Westmont, Illinois went well. Though there haven't been any reports or pictures sent in yet (hint, hint), word has it that the organizers put on a good cook and are already planning for next year. Mt. Vernon, Illinois - June 8/9, 2007... KCBS Sanctioned This event, in its 5th year, is shaping up to be the biggest ever. Last year's cook featured 37 teams from across the region; while at last word this year's event has more than 40 teams signed up! Troy Heitmeyer (organizer) has been working as hard as ever to make sure all his cooks will be well taken care of at this year's contest...not that this has been a problem, Troy has ALWAYS taken care of his cooks...must be why the contest keeps growing! LeRoy, Illinois - June 8/9, 2007 ... Backyard Contest The 3rd Annual Smokin' In The Park contest is coming up next week, and though I haven't gotten any recent updates, I have heard that this is a fun event if you're looking to get out of the house, cook some 'que, and have some fun. For complete udpates on these events & contests (and others) surf over to the website at http://www.ILBBQS.com and click the 'Events' link at the top of the page. If you have updates to your event that our members should be aware of, or have information on an event that is not listed, be sure to let me know! Send info to bbq@ilbbqs.com . -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- Membership continues to grow...ideas continue to come in...interest in Illinois barbeque is on the rise...all thanks to you! As always, if you have any comments, suggestions, questions, or ideas, let me know! Carpe 'Que, Jim 'Rhino' Reincke Illinois BBQ Society Online: http://www.ILBBQS.com Email: bbq@ilbbqs.com Phone: (618) 740-4535