The BBQ Shack,Foodtv Star

Rick Schoenberger has his dream going!! I went Friday morning to the grand opening of his "The BBQ Shack". He has been on the Food TV network, with Guy Fieri doing his show on dives. Rick did a whole hog for the show. Rick has been doing Barbeque since I can remember.

It is his passion!!!

When checking out the walls of the BBQ Shack, I see pictures of Don Knotts. Rick is a big fan of Mayberry and Don. Jasper Mirabile had Don Knotts as his customer for over 41 years. Jasper said he sat in the same booth and ordered the same dish everytime. He said after eating, Don would sign autographs 'til no one wanted anymore. Don told Jasper that if it wasn't for his fans he wouldn't have been anything. I think that is a great man. You can see behind the picture of Rick, Don Knotts is on the wall.

Rick does so much community work, he is always in some kind of charity event. He is all about Paola. Rick is such a great person. He was one of the founders of the largest event in Miami County, the "Roots Festival". If you have never been there, you have really missed something. It is always the last weekend in August.

http://www.thebbqshack.com/

913-294-5908

Mike

Roots Festival, Barbecue Contest.

Did I eat well!!! :):) This was my third year as a Judge, they just get better with age. It really is hard to judge, but I am getting better. You have to judge each entry as it is by it's self, not against another. It is really hard not to compare. This was an oficial KCBS contest (Kansas City Barbque Society). Fellow Slow Food members David and Jan Letts were there as well to judge.

We started with sausage, my favorite. I got to taste 4 entries. Two were spicy, but that is great as far as I am concerned. You absolutely do not know who's is who's. If I did, some would be very busy cooking for me. Next came the chicken, 6 entries. Then ribs, another favorite with me. Then we tasted pulled pork. Brisket was last. You judge each category by taking a sample of each entry. After tasting each, you take home more than you eat. Is this great or what? We will be eating BBQ till next week.

We are going to become certified judges . What a JOB:):)

The overall BBQ contest winner was `Munchin Hogs@ the Hilton.

Andy Groneman and Matt Winterscheid of Smoke on Wheels were best in Miami County

The smoke, the taste, and all of your friends. The music was a wonderful way to let your cares go away.

Lee Mott, Gary Patillio, and the entire team of the Paola Roots Festival have worked so hard to bring the best to Paola. We cannot praise their efforts enough. They and their volunteers are what takes us next year to our 20th year of the best effort in Miami county

Mike

The "Porch" is coming

We went out early Sunday morning , after an evening at the Roots Festival, which will be our next story.

I had not told Christine of the progress , so that she would really be surprised.

I got her to climb up to the second floor too see the view that all of our friends will see in a couple of years as we all share a bottle of Casa Somerset Norton Cabernet.

I went up the ladder first , she wanted to see if anyone fell before she went up. I was the only one she had to sacrifice. She did make me feel better , telling me she would catch me on the third bounce. So, then I coaxed her up the ladder. I was very worried she would kick the ladder away and we would be there til Monday morning, when the construction crew showed up!! The view was worth the climb and risk.

We walked through each framed room , like we were staying there.

I am telling you, there are going to be some good times here ,very soon, with our Friends.

Chef Kay came by later in the morning, She is the mother of Cindy Reynolds' from the Somerset Ridge Winery, just a mile from our house and vineyard. I was spreading cotton burr compost in between the vines in the vineyard when she came to see the progress on the house. Julie Zoller told me about cotton burr compost years ago. You put down 6 sheets of newspaper and then cotton burr on top . The worms eat throught the newspaper (no color pages) to get to the cotton burr, and turn it into a great compost to feed the plants.

Call me I will tell you all about how this works if you are interested.
Mike

Third story next week??