Hey Gang! Happy June! National BBQ Month may have been last month, but for many in the state, the real barbeque and grilling season is just now heating up! Here's what's happening the world of Illinois BBQ Society... -> Mt. Vernon Contest - June 8-9, 2007 -> LeRoy Backyard Contest - June 8-9, 2007 -> Elk Grove Contest - June 15-16, 2007 -> Alsip Backyard Contest - June 16, 2007 -> Free Good-One Cooker for ALL Members* -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- 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!) -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Mt. Vernon Contest - June 8-9, 2007 I got an email this morning from Troy Heitmeyer, Contest Organizer, and the Mt. Vernon is continuing to grow..."As of today there are 48 teams, 11 more than last year. We’ve grown each year since we started back in 2003. Our 5th year anniversary is shaping up to be one of the biggest events in Mt. Vernon. Rhett Akins is on the stage on Friday night, Saturday is Jamie O’Neal. Weather permitting, we expect about 6000-7000 people through the gates each evening." Having spent the weekend at this contest in 2006, shadowing/learning from Troy, I can attest that this is one very well put together event and, even if you're not competing, definately worth a visit! For addtional information, visit http://www.ILBBQS.com and click the 'Events' link! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> LeRoy Backyard Contest - June 8-9, 2007 3rd Annual Smokin' in the Park Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-266-5078 or Jim & Anita Allen at 309-962-9388 E-mail: jaallen@msn.com or bjzook@verizon.net -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Elk Grove Contest - June 15-16, 2007 Ron Nunes, Contest Organizer, has been working hard to make this a fantastic contest. Being a cook too (Church of Swinetology BBQ Team) he pretty much knows what teams are looking for in a contest, and has worked hard to accommodate. This contest (Styx, Stones, & Bones BBQ Competition) is being hosted by the Elk Grove Rotary Club, and is only a week away. For addtional information, visit http://www.ILBBQS.com and click the 'Events' link! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Alsip Backyard Contest - June 16, 2007 I don't know too much about this backyard event, but do know that it's for a good cause. The Alsip Park District sponsors this BBQ Cook-off for Autism, so if you plan on being anywhere in the Chicagoland area on June 16th, be sure to check it out! -*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*- -> Free Good-One Cooker for ALL Members* *Now that I have your attention, here's where the asterisk comes in...It's Free to use. The official relationship between Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties and the ILBBQS has begun, and the perks for all are impressive! Rob Russell, GM of Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties, delivered one of their most popular trailer cookers (the Chuckwagon) to ILBBQS headquarters on June 4th. A very popular cooker in other parts of the country, and booming interest in Illinois, this 'demo' cooker is quite impressive! It sports a roomy 42" smoker (with firepit that can be grilled on) on the left side of the trailer, and has a separate charcoal/wood grill that sits on the right side of the trailer. Both have plenty of spinners for air control, removable and/or adjustable racks for ease of fire management, and easy pullout ash trays. All said and done, the rig is located in Salem, Illinois (just over an hour east of St. Louis; about 4 hours south of Chicagoland; and about 3.5 hours north of Nashville, TN) and per the relationship with Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties, is available for any ILBBQS member to try out. If you're interested in booking this bad-boy-cooking-rig for a weekend, let me know! You can contact me through the website at http://www.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 pictures, stories, news items, 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