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Chili Cookoff Draws Big Crowd to Brewers Beach

Betsy's won the 'showmanshp' award at the cookoff -- again.No mad dogs, a few Englishmen and about 4,500 chili-besotted enthusiasts braved the noonday sun at Brewers Beach Sunday for the 26th annual Chili Cook-off of the Texas Society of the Virgin Islands.

This year’s chili had an added, though bittersweet, piquancy as the day was dedicated to Nicky "Mighty Whitey" Russell whose music has been an integral ingredient to the celebration for more years than anyone can remember. The beloved entertainer died earlier this year.

For the 40 or so cooks who began setting up, the long hot day starts before 6 a.m. Nothing can be prepared ahead of time. The double-blind judging is done under the strict rules of the Chili Appreciation Society International.

Gov. John deJongh Jr. and his son. Julian, with a robot at the chili festival.Everyone agrees it’s all worth it, the exhausted, happy cooks, the eager tasters. the folks dancing in the sand, those renewing old friendships, politicians galore, even including Gov. John deJongh Jr., who was enjoying a few bites of chili with his son, Julian, in between good-naturedly fending off questions that began, "Now, governor, ‘what are you going to do about (fill in the blank),’ while incumbent senators – Louis Hill and Shawn-Michael Malone – hosted their own booths.

Headlining this year’s music was Texas rocker Van Wilks, while the Coast Guard did a rescue demonstration and kiddies ran around with relay races, ball tosses, and stood still for a cupcake decorating contest.

One thing that does start ahead of time is the labor for the showmanship award. Trish Hardy, a Betsy’s stalwart, says they started about six weeks ago. Betsy’s has taken the award for the past five years and this year’s 2010 Spice Oddessy, makes it six. About 30 space invaders dressed in what looked like bumble bee outfits, with snorkels poking out at odd intervals, drifted amongst the resident alien females donned in bubble wrap skirts, and aluminum foil boots, chanting, occasionally in unison, "Back to the ship. May the spice be with you."

Meantime, dentist Donald Pomerantz held court at the Pomerosa where he was dispensing veggie chili, with an added flourish. "This’ll clean your teeth and floss at the same time."

One of the head peppers, Erik Ackerson, himself done up as a Spice sun, said he was delighted at this year’s boat turnout. Ackerson is the voice of the marine community, executive director of the V.I.Charter Yacht League, and host of WVWI radio show "On the Water."

"I’ve been inviting people on St. John and the East End to come by boat," Ackerson said. "Looks like they’ve finally heard me."

A small flotilla of boats of different makes and sizes anchored off the East end of the beach, while the beach itself was filled with swimmers working off all that chili.

Second prize in the small booth showmanship category went to Second  prize small showmanship Katie Brockway, seen here with a  friend in the Cowgirl Saloon and Hotel .The grand prize winner gets an all-expense-paid trip to to the Texas town of Terlingua — roughly in the middle of nowhere in that state’s western panhandle — in November to duke it out in the Chili Appreciation Society International contest

Proceeds from this year’s cook-off will go toward Queen Louise Home for the Aged, V.I. Institute of Performing Arts, Family Resource Center, St. Thomas Search and Rescue and Dial-A-Ride.

This year’s major sponsor is Coors Light, distributed by Bellows International; Merchant’s Market, which donates ground beef to each cook; Island Beachcomber, Tickles Dockside Pub, Evian Water; Fortress Storage; First Bank; Choice; American Airlines and Lew Henley.

2010 Winners
Showmanship — teams with less than 10 members:

1st Place: Donald Pomeranz Pomerosa

2nd Place: Katie Brockway Cowgirl Saloon

3rd Place: Oral Roberts (Mojos)

Showmanship — teams with 10 or more members:

1st Place: Betsy’s Bar 2010 Spice Oddessy

2nd Place: Saloonatics Cheryl Posan

3rd Place: Julia Gardner Sen. Shawn-Michael Malone

Regular Chili Category (Meat):

1st Place: Jerry May, St. Thomas

2nd Place: Ray Calahan, Texas

3rd Place: Nora Chapman, St. Thomas

Vegetarian Chili Category:

1st Place: Jes Latimer, St. Thomas

2nd Place: Ras Koninah King, Dave Pemberton, St. Thomas

3rd Place: Heidi Erwig, St. Thomas

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