SALSA CONTEST OTTERTAIL CITY GRASS ROOTS SALSA SHOP

"Let the contest begin: The ad pictured below was featured in the Perham Enterprise and began our Grass Roots Salsa Contest for 2004. The articles and pictures that follow are our Grass Roots summary of this Salsa Contest Event." Tom Meinhover

Thanks for visiting this Web Site summarizing the results of our first annual Salsa Contest. August 21st, 2004

“The Salsa contest results are inconclusive” according to Gary Senske of Perham (1962 Perham Graduate). The 2004, first Annual Grass Roots Salsa contest, turned Gender competition was held this last Sat. at Grass Roots in Ottertail. Gary Senske, Retired U of M (Crookston) head basketball coach turned vegetable grower challenged all female comers to beat his world famous salsa recipe. Judging gave the winner salsa title to Betty Cordes of Betty’s Pantry. Gary’s reaction to Betty’s award was Fair and Balanced as he stated: “Although Betty’s recipe was excellent, I felt my salsa was not given the full evaluation of other entries,in other words……..the results were prejudiced by all female entries……….. The current political environment did not allow for fair judgment. I want a recount of the ballots (Gary reported to EB, with tongue in cheek)

Tom Meinhover, Grass Roots owner however stated, ”……. not this year big guy, submit another entry next year and maybe us men will stand a chance .”

There were two rounds of judging because of the number of entries. The entries came in from all over the state of Mn. Judges: Tracy Shipley of OtterTail and Helene Pettit, food Guru from Perham. All entries were put into a blind competition. Helene commented, “ This Salsa contest was a wonderful idea and hope to see it every year…..good entries and all of them were of excellent quality.” Judge Shipley commented: “ We had no idea who we were judging, Male or Female, Maybe next year we can add a male judge. Betty’s recipe won over the others by taste and presentation, Congratulations, Betty”

Grass Roots when it was a Perham located business in the 70’s and 80’s, and now in OtterTail has sold locally grown produce along with melon grower Dana Bahr. “The Salsa Contest was a way to promote the use of locally grown vegetables and the fact that our quality is certainly more known to you than some produce grown in the polluted valleys of Calf. or some unknown valley in Mexico.

Grass Roots wants to say thanks to its sponsors: Barrel o fun, Thumper Pond, Williams Company of Ottertail, Carrs Lakes Country Market, Perham Printing, Grass Roots Gifts, and SSS Ranch. More Pix of the contest: www.grassrootsmnusa.com

"Thanks for everyone working together for this first salsa contest at our Grass Roots in Ottertail. Thanks to my sponsors, the volunteers, the particpants. the media coverage. See you next year and the years to come for this annual event. " Tom Meinhover

First Place: Betty Cordes of OtterTail

Tie for 2^nd , 3^rd, 4^th…….are: Anna Wasescha of St Paul, Barb Morgenroth, Deb Newstrom of OtterTail

Marty the Dragon is the Grass Roots symbol for the lakes area clean environment and was also put into service advertising for our salsa contest. Thanks to Kagans for helping with the parade and contest.

	Salsa Contest Organizers, Gary Senske, Sharon Gowin, Donna Dreyer (not pictured) and Tom Meinhover.
Sam Morgenroth, Grass Roots Employee, with his winner Mom (Barb). In What he called a 'fair and balanced" contest his Mom won over the Male Challenger Gary Senske (see ad above)

	Dan Wheeler from Neb. was the first person to entry our Salsa Contest. Thanks Dan. His comment on winning 10th place was relative to the poor showing of locally available produce and how it affected the quality of his salsa.
Anna Wasescha from St Paul won one of the Second Place slots and the award for the most Original recipe. Thanks Anna for everthing!!!


Arial Kagan, Sam Morganroth worked hard at Grass Roots this summer and helped organize and assure the succcess of Our first annual Salsa Contest. Arial with Friend Natalie on her right came up from the Twin City to check out how her friend was faring in the rurals of Minnesota.	Grass Root Owner, Debbie Gluesing, checked out the comfort of one of her benches after a long day 'at the retail"

	Donna Dreyer, organizer for our first annual salsa contest, getting Barbie ready for the parade...Barbie (no last name) is our everlasting contribution to sexism.