Hello BBQ Gang! Here's what's going on in the world of the Illinois BBQ Society... ~ New State Championship Contest in May ~ ILBBQS Offices Closed Week of 2/25 - 2/29 ~ Working to get our information on KCBS' website ~ The BBQ Throwdown & Jam Update ~ Upcoming Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... ~ Upcoming KCBS Contests... ~ Upcoming Classes... x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x This eNewsletter brought to you by: 2008 Kick-Off Cook-Off Classic Charity Event for the North County Optimist Club's Childhood Cancer Campaign, State Championship, KCBS Sanctioned BBQ Cook-Off with Raffles, BBQ Seminars & More! Space is limited for 2008...get your application in early! Visit us online at http://www.BBQSauceReport.com for application and additional information. Online: http://www.BBQSauceReport.com Email: gawilk@swbell.net x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x New State Championship Contest in May The Nashville, Illinois Lion's Club MaiFest (May 24th & 25th) is one of only two contests in Illinois, that we're aware of, that will be held on a Saturday/Sunday schedule. This contest will be held in conjunction with Nashville's Annual May Festival, on Memorial Day Weekend, and will be used as a fundraiser for local charitable efforts. Details are still out, but check out the 'Contests/Events' page for contact information. *************************************** ILBBQS Offices Closed Week of 2/25 - 2/29 Just an 'FYI' note to let everyone know that the ILBBQS offices will be closed this week; we're attending the Hearth, Patio, & Barbecue Association's Annual Expo (www.HPBAExpo.com) in Atlanta, Georgia. If you're able to make it down to the show, be sure to stop by and say hello in the Ace of Hearts BBQ Specialties booth...We'll be there Thursday (2/28) & Friday (2/29). *************************************** Working to get our information on KCBS' website Here's an update for those of you who have suggested we get our bio on the KCBS website to further promote the society, its members, and awareness of barbeque in our growing region. Emails have been exchanged with the gatekeepers of the KCBS website (MMA Creative Marketing Company), and we have been told that the section online is for teams only. Mike McCloud of MMA has noted that allowing all members to post their bio is a worthy idea, but less critical than other ventures they are working on for KCBS (Great American BBQ Tour), and that they would perhaps circle back to the idea in a couple of months. A request has been submitted to each of the KCBS Board of Directors to allow all members to post a bio on the site. Updates on progress will be posted as they become available. *************************************** The BBQ Throwdown & Jam Update Unlike The Artist Formerly Known as Prince, the contest formerly known as Southern Illinois Bluegrass & BBQ Festival in Salem, IL has changed their name and is not looking back. With the exciting evolution of the Salem contest, new moniker The BBQ Throwdown & Jam, a new website dedicated to the barbeque aspect of the event has been launched. For the inside skinny on the expected all-star team line-up, judges information, applications, time schedules, and event information, be sure to check it out the new site at www.TheBBQThrowdown.com . *************************************** Upcoming 2008 Non-Sanctioned/Backyard Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ May 24-25, 2008 - Nashville Lion's Club MaiFest - Contact: Rodney Small, Post Office Box 27, Nashville, IL 62263 - Phone: 618-327-3224 Fax: 618-327-8479 - E-mail: drsmall@accessus.net ~ June 14, 2008 - 4th Annual Smokin' in the Park - Contact: Hap & Becky Zook at 309-266-5078 or Jim & Anita Allen at 309-962-9388 - E-mail: bjzook@verizon.net or jaallen@msn.com ~ June 21, 2008 - 2nd Annual Galesburg Railroad Days Jaycees Rib Cook-Off - Contact: Sherry M. Kincaid - E-mail: ribcookoff@galesburgjaycees.org ~ October 12, 2008 - TENTATIVE - Maschhoff's Pork Farm Backyard BBQ Cook-Off - Contact: Julie Maschhoff, 7475 State Route 127, Carlyle, IL 62231 - Phone: 618-594-2125 - E-mail: juliem@pigsrus.net ~ October - TENTATIVE - Barn Burner BBQ @ 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 *THIS CONTEST IS PENDING KCBS SANCTIONING* *************************************** Upcoming 2008 KCBS Contests... (All info & web addresses are posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> Contests/Events) ~ March 28-29, 2008 - 2008 Kick-Off Cook-Off Classic in Hazelwood, Missouri - Contact: Greg Wilkinson - Phone: (314) 955-1104 - Online: http://www.BBQSauceReport.com - E-mail: gawilk@swbell.net ~ May 2-3, 2008 - Southwestern Illinois Spring Festival in Wamac, Illinois - Contact: Shane Swartzlander - Phone: (618) 533-5703 ~ Fax: - Online: http://www.gocentralia.com/springfestival - E-mail: 2chubby@sbcglobal.net ~ May 9-10, 2008 - CANCELLED - Dust Off Your Grill Backyard BBQ Cook-Off - Contact: Patty Peterson, 1000 Health Center Drive, Mattoon, IL 61938. - Phone: 217-258-2424 ~ Fax: 217-258-4135. - E-mail: ppeterson@sblhs.org ~ May 16-17, 2008 - The Randolph County Pig Party - Contact: Jason Vallett, 402 E. Broadway, Steeleville, IL 62288. - Phone: 618-965-3414 ~ Fax: 618-965-3177 - Email: jason@gregvallettautosales.com ~ May 24-25, 2008 - Red, White & Bar-B-Q - Contact: Jim Addington, 337 E. Traube Street, Westmont, IL 60559 - Phone: 630-443-2013 Fax: 630.443-2017 - E-mail: jaddington@ambankqc.com ~ June 13-14, 2008 - King City BBQ Showdown - Contact: Troy Heitmeyer, 104 N. 9th Street, Mt. Vernon, IL 62864 - Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ Fax: 618-242-3383 - E-mail: troy@cmacsoft.com ~ June 13-14, 2008 - Elk Grove Rotary Ribfest - Contact: Ron Nunes, 701 E. Irving Park Rd, Ste. 200, Roselle, IL 60172 - Phone: 630-307-8744 ~ Fax: 630-307-8755 - E-mail: rnunes9457@aol.com ~ July 11-12, 2008 - 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: rrribs@frontiernet.net ~ September 12-13, 2008 - The BBQ Throwdown & Jam - Contact: Jim Reincke, PO Box 924, Salem, IL 62881 - Phone: 618-407-3300 ~ E-mail: bbqthrowdown@gosalem.com ~ September 19-20, 2008 - - Carbondale Main Street Pig Out - Contact: Meghan Cole, 121 S. Illinois Avenue, Carbondale, IL 62901 - Phone: 618-529-8040 ~ Fax: 618-529-8041 - E-mail: info@carbondalemainstreet.com ~ October 10-11, 2008 - Central Illinois Bragging Rights - Contact: George Fritz, 136 S. Vine Street, Arthur, IL 61911 - Phone: 217-543-2181 - E-mail: bbq@arthuril.com *************************************** Upcoming Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Certified Table Captain’s Class: Arthur, Illinois - 03/07/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.CIBR-BBQ.com - Contact Information: George Fritz ~ Phone: 217-543-2181 ~ bbq@arthuril.com ~ Certified BBQ Judging Class: Arthur, Illinois - 03/08/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.CIBR-BBQ.com - Contact Information: George Fritz ~ Phone: 217-543-2181 ~ bbq@arthuril.com ~ Certified Table Captain’s Class: Mount Vernon, Illinois - 04/18/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.SouthernIllinois.com - Contact Information: Troy Heitmeyer ~ Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ troy@cmacsoft.com ~ Certified BBQ Judging Class: Mount Vernon, Illinois - 04/19/2008 - Instructor: Mike Lake - Website: http://www.SouthernIllinois.com - Contact Information: Troy Heitmeyer ~ Phone: 618-242-4020 x 15 ~ troy@cmacsoft.com *************************************** Upcoming BBQ Cooking Classes... (All info posted on http://www.ILBBQS.com -> BBQ Classes) ~ Shannon, Illinois - 4/4/08 thru 4/5/08 - Old School vs. High Tech BBQ Cooking Class - Instructors: Johnny Trigg & Rod Gray - Location: Eastland Middle School ~ 601 Chestnut Street ~ Contact Information: Rod Gray ~ rod@pelletenvy.com *************************************** 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! Well folks, that's gonna do it for this year's news and updates. I hope you have a most wonderful, and safe, New Year! I'm looking forward to seeing a lot more of you down the BBQ trail of 2008! Carpe 'Que, Jim Rhino