Friends, Friends, and More Friends Here

February 2013

This is the time when our great friends find their way out of the US and down to our little piece of paradise south, south of the boarder. It started out with Bob & Carol several years ago and then Charlie - Soon the word got out and more came this year. Stef and I loved every minute of it and were happy to see some people we haven't seen in years. At one point, we had a BBQ for about 20 of our friends and it was great.

Just Hang'n Out and Relaxing

Bob & Carol from last year's Boat Trip celebrating Bob's Birthday

Charlie & Victoria with a beautiful Costa Rica night time background

Ed & Johanna getting ready to party 

New This Year - Our great friends from Nashville, Billy & Vanesa

More New Visitors from Nashville - (clockwise)
Myles Sloan, his wife Leslie Sloan
Kevin Pugh, Carol (you know her already), and then Kevin's wife Annie Pugh

Camera shy - was our good friend from Boston - Kathleen Reardon who brought a couple of her friends 

I can tell you right now - that this is one hell of a party crew!!!

You owe it to yourself to read on to the next couple of postings

(I set them at an earlier date to keep them in order)

ATENAS CHILI COOK-OFF 2013

February 10, 2013 - The Day!!

WOW!!!!

That is all any one can say about this year's event. It was unbelievable!!! 

When Stef and I moved here, we attended the 2008 Chili Cook-Off - there were about 30 of us in attendance, 5 chili teams and they made $300 - Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that and everyone had a great time. I just want to use that as a comparison as to how things can grow in a short period of time. 

Last year, at the 2012 event, there were over 1,000 attendees and they were able to raise $5000 to give to the Hogar de Vida.

This year - Check it out

1,700+ ATTENDEES

$20,000 RAISED FOR THE KIDS!!!!

Absolutely Unbelievable...

The CCO committee worked many months to put this event together, and got a lot more sponsors involved this year who were instrumental in helping to make it a success. I can probably state that this is probably the largest annual event in Atenas, and is getting close to being the largest expat event in Costa Rica. It was started by Kay & Tom Costello of "Kay's Gringo Postres" and is for a very worthy cause.

This is a home for abandoned, abused, or orphaned children located here in Atenas. They are supported to a certain extent by the Government, but no where near enough needed to make it work. So Kay & Tom decided to help, and the tradition has been carried on. The theme of the entire event has become to be known as "It is for the Kids"

To see a Great Video on this Wonderful Event, please click the link below:

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJNo9yZ9ICM

Their newly revised website contains a lot of information and more pictures of the event - Please check it out by clicking the link below:

http://www.atenaschilicookoff.com/

Now, one more thing that I need to very proudly mention is - that the chairperson of the 2013 committee just happened to be my lovely wife Stef who has now been asked to be the chairperson for the 2014 Event. After what she and her fellow committee members did this year, it is going to be a big one to beat. However, I have all the confidence in the world with this team.  

Just to give you some advance notice, the 

2014 Atenas Chili Cook Off 

is Scheduled for

February 9, 2014