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Curtis Michigan Main Page    2000 Winter Carnival Article    Upper Peninsula Main Page

Submitted By Julie Freeman

Additional photos from 2001 Curtis Winter Carnival
Chili Cook-Off 2001 Photos

It was a cold start on February 17, but it didn't stop the people from attending the "Seventh Annual Winter Carnival 2001 On the Ice" in downtown Curtis this year. One thousand buttons were made and sold, five of these buttons had a photo of a deer standing (they all had a deer photo but only five were made with a deer standing). People claiming these buttons received $20.00 each.

Many new participants entered the "Fourth Annual Great Northern Chili Bowl Chili Cook-Off Competition". Tents were like little huts all around on the ice with the wonderful smell of chili in the air coming from each! The annual chili competition is open to everyone from anywhere. No rules on ingredients, style, or clothing. Enter as many chilies as you wish. The prize is a traveling trophy chili bowl and cash prizes from anonymous donors of $75.00, $50.00 and $25.00. Entry Fee is $25.00, contestants are ask to bring their own gear and ingredients, chili must be prepared on site, in areas designated by the Three Lakes Fireworks Council. Contestants must make a minimum of one gallon of chili. No food other than chili may be prepared or distributed during chili cook-off. Chili cannot be given away (except for sampling). Any proceeds from selling chili may be donated or can be kept to offset costs. This is sponsored by the Three Lakes Area Fireworks Council for the Curtis 2001 fireworks display.

New entrees this year were the "B & B.S Gun Club" team from Ray Township. Jerry Vandenbussche, Tom Oliver, Brian Kennedy (better known as the 9 foot hillbilly), and James Stratas have been coming to the Curtis Carnival every year with Tom Oliver coming to Curtis every since he was three years old.
The "Rockwood Backwoods Chili" team has been here every year, they are from Clare and Farwell Michigan. Rodney Hundey, Tom Grabmeyer, Kevin Jones, Tim Gallagher, Jim Jones and Doug Hundey were first place co-winners last year.
This year "Rockwood Two" joins in the fun for their first year. Lucy Mateman, Gaylord Hundey, Sarah Queen, Lin and Ed Holder were having a great time preparing their chili.
Gary and Pat Trimmer made this their fourth year entering the cook off as "Trimmers Timbers", they were also first place co-winners last year. Traveling almost 400 miles, from Temperance Michigan, Gary and Pat say they always have a great time!
The team of Rick and Leslie Edwards and Julie and Alan Parks has been coming to the carnival for the past four years, this year they decided to compete. Home grown fresh beans and roma tomatoes along with other fresh home garden ingredients were added, including venison meat from the Upper Peninsula.
Another entree making this their first year were called "Iverson Chili compliments of The Lodge" team. Mary and Steve Mitus and Mark and Lisa Wilkinson have a lodge near Curtis, they have been coming to the Curtis area for the past twelve years and decided to get involved this year thanks to their good friend John Colestock.
Last year the "3-D" team placed third, Josh Martindale joined Doug Gowan, Dennis Younce, Dick, Doug and Mark Gordon in preparing their unique chili. Last year ostrich was one of the unique ingredients, this year wild boar and elk were added along with anasaza beans, which they still agree, are the best chili bean in the world!

Last year the chili cook-off raised approximately $700.00 for the fireworks. Five judges along with input from anyone, for two dollars, could case a vote for the best chili. This year first place winners were the Rockwood Backwoods team, second place co-winners were Trimmers Timbers and the 3-D Team.

Brenda Ackley, Jeanette Zurawski, Amanda, Jamie and their son Jacob Washburne were the official "Curtis Ice Cops". Brenda said, "Everyone has been real good about paying their fines, everyone seems to be having a great time!"

Rick Sodar, official field prep and bed race organizer and Jeff Burton lawnmower and kids snow sled event organizer were kept busy throughout the afternoon. Rick said, "there are many more children in this years mini snow sled racing event." First place winner of the Kiddy Snowmobile Event was seven year old Tineah Blank, who placed first last year also. Her parents are Rich Blank of Curtis and Karena Burton of Germfask.

The Lawnmower Race is always a fun event. First place went to the "Power Mechanics Racing Team" of Jason Nicholson (driver), Kevin Selby (owner of the lawnmower), Matt Westfall, Chris Marks and Jack Swartz. This was truly an amazing group, Jack Swartz, Newberry High School's shop teacher, said "we all had a great time building this machine in shop class". Second place went to John Ketcher of Engadine and third place went to Rob Freeborn of Curtis.

Rick Sodar, of Curtis Service expressed entrees were down this year on the Bed Races, where anyone can put together a real bed with skis. With this event participants get together as a team with one rider (in the bed) and the others pushing. The team to cross the finish line is the winner. Building the bed and competing against the others is as much fun to watch as it is to participate. This year first place went to Curtis Foods, who was last years winner also.

Thirteen year old Adam Reefers with his dog snickers took first place in the Kiddy Mutt Event, eleven year old James Bristow came in second with Jack and Margaret Andress golden retriever, Millie. Ten year old Lacey Reefers was third with her dog Snickers.

Wonderful ladies from the Curtis Ladies Aid withstood the cold weather to tend to the bake sale. Volunteers who stood out in the open without a tent, were President Ann Oginski, treasure Jan Heck, Vera Gillespie, and Vice President Cristyne Kihm.

Everyone enjoyed the wonderful hayrides by Strahl's Persherons, throughout the day.

Winner of brand new ski-doo snowmobile and trailer, sponsored by the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce, was Julie Watson of Lexington, Michigan.

At dusk the fireworks display was bigger and better, it was surely a wonderful way to end a fun day!

The fun continued the following day with the second annual Radar Race. First and second place winners in the non-studded class were as follows:
500-Class, Greg Deyak 74 mph and Todd Lesatz 70 mph both are from Gould City.
600-class Jeremy Ross 77 mph from Newberry and Robert Lustila 74 mph from Curtis. 700 class Julie Cochran 80 mph from Curtis and Terry Watson 77 mph Curtis. 800-class B.J. Zellar 81 mph and Eric Zellar 80 mph, both are from Germfask.
In the Studded Class, 500-class J.D. Edwards 78 mph of Germfask and Jeff Burton 75 mph of Curtis. 600-class Dave Williams 86 mph and Yvonne Burton 85 mph both from Germfask. 700-class Adam Reefers 86 mph of Curtis and Karen Hunt 85 mph, from downstate. 800-class Greg Reefers 94 mph and Terry Watson 85 mph, both of Curtis. 1000-class Sean Nagy 102 mph from downstate and Greg Reefers 94 mph from Curtis. In the modified 1000-class and up Gene Gubbins of Wisconsin flew in at 105 mph and Sean Nagy of downstate at 103 mph.
Coordinator Terry Watson and crew appreciates everyone for all their help and participation. Last year this event brought in 104 entrees, which was great for the first year, this year there were 170 entrees. Terry sends much appreciation out to everyone who helped with this event especially to the participants!

The people who worked on this years festivities would like to express how much everyone is greatly appreciated for working on the carnival and radar race this year, adults along with children had a wonderful time. Working together as a team and a community is important to make the outcome of this go smooth. If you would like information on next years Curtis Winter Carnival on the Ice, please contact the wonderful people at the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce at (906) 586-3700.