Re: [CH] Fwd: Bring them flags...

=Mark (mstevens@exit109.com)
Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:36:08 -0400 

Given the tough growing conditions, I'll bet the chiles that make it will be
right toasty!  Only wish I could have attended...


On Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:13:43 -0400, Jim wrote
> Rules & Regs, Direction, Info, and Invite (to one and all) for Open  
> Fields 2010, September 24th, 25th, & 26th
> 
> Please note that this has been THE SINGLE toughest year for growing  
> chiles in my 50+ year memory.  We had flooding amounts of rain in 
> June  & July and haven't had a drop since.  We are currently under 
> 'Red  Flag' warnings and several large field fires have occurred in 
> the last  few days.  The chiles have absolutely struggled.  They are 
> very small,  and very late as they did not get planted till August.  
> Folks have  always told me that "it ain't about the chiles" and this 
> would be the  year to find out it seems.  I don't mean to scare 
> anyone off, but I  want them to have a clear picture of the state of 
> the fields.  It is  entirely likely that there won't be a lot of 
> chiles to go around!
> 
> This will also be the last year for the event.  Circumstances have  
> changed greatly in my life in the last year (in a good way, I guess) 
>  and I no longer have any ability, time, or money needed in order to 
>  continue this event.  It is sad, in many ways, considering the 
> humble  origins and the great times this event has brought me, but 
> such are  the vagaries of life :-)  It's been an incredible two decades!!
> 
> Background:
> 
> Open Fields primary purpose is as a 'thank you' for all that the  
> ChileHead community has given me.  It is FREE.  It is a chance to 
> hang  out with old friends, meet new ones, try a TON of interesting 
> new  foods and see lots of interesting sites.  There are over 6,000 
> chiles,  of over 40 varieties, just waiting for you to discover 
> them.   Everything from the very mild and tasty Diablos and 
> Aconcaguas to the  fierce Red Savina(R), Fatalii, and Trinidad 
> Scorpion.  Help  yourselves!  Pick and play with as many as you'd 
> like :-)
> 
> The fields are also the last remaining source of income for the 
> StepUp  Fund, as is the large charity auction held on Saturday 
> evening.  There  will be some incredible stuff up for silent auction,
>   all kinds of  raffle drawings for your choice of prizes, and some 
> blind bids.  Based  on the last couple of years, the only way you 
> don't win something is  if you didn't play!  ***While Open Fields is 
> a free event, it is  certainly appreciated if you take part in the 
> charity efforts.***  http://www.StepUpforCharity.org   for more 
> information if needed.
> 
> The Open Fields helps to support the Jason Baker Scholarship as well 
>  as several others.  The Jason Baker 5K run is on Sunday morning.  
>  Several chile heads and I are going up there to take part.  There 
> is  also a family walk in addition to the 5K.  If you are interested 
> in  participating, let me know and/or go to http:// 
> heroesofpublicsafety.org/ to register or find more information.
> 
> On to the Rules, as failure to observe them will cause me more grief 
>  with my Landlord than I care to go through!  I only rent part of 
> the  grounds and must abide by the conditions he sets as terms of my 
>  lease.  There are a lot of things here besides chiles.  He is 
>  incredibly generous to allow me to have done this all these many years.
> 
> 1)  Absolutely NO posting of the directions to this event on blogs,  
> boards, or groups.  He does not want, nor tolerate, folks "stopping  
> by" except for the dates of this event.  "Wandering in" on any other 
>  day, if you're close enough to do so, is called "Trespassing" and 
> he  takes a very dim view of it.
> 
> 2)  DO NOT drive anywhere except on a clearly marked path, or where 
> I  direct you.  There are thousands of feet of buried irrigation 
> lines on  the property and they are very easily damaged.  Walk-
>  anywhere, drive-  nowhere.
> 
> 3)  If it ain't a chile, DON'T TOUCH IT.
> 
> 4)  If you have someone you wish to bring with you, by all means do  
> so!  You'll be vouching for them so make sure they're aware of the  
> rules and etiquette also.
> 
> Etiquette:
> 
> This is NOT a "I can eat hotter than you can" event.  We do not  
> measure manhood, or intelligence, in Scoville units here.  Those 
> that  like the milder chiles are no less chileheads than those that 
> like the  hot ones.  Don't be offended if someone declines your 
> 'flaming tongues  of death cheesecake'.  You are also likewise free 
> to turn down  something that seems out of your range.  Folks will 
> generally steer  you in the right direction... with the exception of 
> some guy with a  Cajun accent and Mississippi plates ;-)  Believe 
> NOTHING that man  tells you... if he makes it here!
> 
> Quiet down by 10 PM or so.  The bonfire and live music will still  
> likely be going, but keep the loud roars and shouting to a minimum.  
>  NO fireworks or noisemakers!  There are quite a number of houses 
> near  the fields and we must be good neighbors.  While there is just 
> a *bit*  of alcohol consumption that goes on here, this is still a 
> FAMILY  event.  No drunken behavior, being rude or lewd, and no 
> belligerence  will be tolerated for even a minute.
> 
> Help clean up!  If you don't haul it out with you, or help police 
> the  grounds, then I & a couple of regulars must do it for you.  We  
> typically walk the entire grounds, picking up trash that isn't even  
> ours, just to stay on the good side of the Landlord.
> 
> If you're particularly proud of a dish that you can cook, by all 
> means  cook it & share!  You don't have to cook enough to feed 
> everybody, but  enough for some folks to sample would be great.  
> It's a great way to  start a conversation.
> 
> There'll will be folks here from all walks of life and parts of the  
> world.  We've had people from The netherlands, Denmark, England,  
> Canada, Australia, and nearly all 50 States.  If you have a State  
> Flag, please bring it- we do a "U N" type display at the top of the  
> field.  For those of you who know him, Horrible Haggis will be here  
> from Australia.  'nuff said.  The rest of you can be surprised ;-)   
> Ian from England is also going to make it.  No point in the rest of  
> you trying for the prize for "furthest travelled" ;-)
> 
> Directions:  Email me off list for directions.  For planning 
> purposes,  figure "Waverly, IN" & that will put you pretty close.  
> Subject line  must say "Open Fields" or I'll never see it.
> 
> If you're still unsure of things, just email someone who's been 
> there  before.  They'll be happy to answer any questions you might have.
> 
> Bring a love of chiles and chileheads, an appetite, and a couple of  
> bucks for the charity and you'll have a grand time :-)
> 
> You are welcome to arrive as early as the 22nd or 23rd and stay as  
> late as the 28th.  BE AWARE however, there will be NO, NONE, ZERO,  
> ZIP, NADA picking of the chiles until Saturday morning!  This ain't 
> a  garage sale and everyone gets a fair shot at the chiles,
>  especially  given how few there are likely to be this year.
> 
> Thanks again & I hope you have a grand time.
> 
> -Jim C
> http://www.StepUpforCharity.org


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--
=Mark

http://www.exit109.com/~mstevens