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The Great American Blueberry Challenge Inspires Blueberry Fanatics–and Professional Competitive Eaters–to Win Big for National Blueberry Month

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10 months ago

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Blueberry eating competition sets a world record; $10,000 still up for grabs in nationwide social media contest for everyday blueberry lovers

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. /PRNewswire/ — In one of the most exciting celebrations of National Blueberry Month yet, the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is shining a spotlight on how – and how much – people love blueberries. The Great American Blueberry Challenge, which kicked off at the start of the month to inspire blueberry lovers nationwide to share creative ways to grab a boost of blue, culminated in the first-ever blueberry eating championship on Saturday, July 13. USHBC, in partnership with Major League Eating, invited professional competitive eaters from across the country to gather in Grand Rapids, Mich. to eat as much blueberries as possible in the span of eight minutes, setting a world record of 18.475 lbs.

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Over 80 lbs of blueberries were consumed by the professional competitive eaters during the event.
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Major League Pickleball (MLP) player, Anna Bright, takes the court at the Advil Targeted Relief MLP Mid-Season Tournament.
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Professional competitive eater, Patrick Bertoletti, secured first place, eating over 18 lbs of blueberries in eight minutes.
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Major League Eaters compete in the first ever Great American Blueberry Challenge eating championship, which took place at the Advil Targeted Relief Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament Grand Rapids.

Patrick Bertoletti took the top prize in the competition, earning a cash prize as well as the inaugural title of blueberry eating champion. An impressive total of 82.769 lbs of blueberries were devoured by the competitors during the event, with a final ranking as follows:

  • First place: Patrick Bertoletti, 18.475 lbs
  • Second place: Geoffrey Esper, 16.044 lbs
  • Third place: James Webb, 15.319 lbs
  • Fourth place: Nick Wehry, 12.600 lbs
  • Fifth place: Gideon Oji, 12.569 lbs

The Great American Blueberry Challenge eating championship took place during the Advil Targeted Relief Major League Pickleball (MLP) Mid-Season Tournament, as part of USHBC’s partnership with MLP. Also featured at the event were special guest officiants Shelly Hartmann, chair of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, blueberry grower and owner of True Blue Farms in Michigan; and professional pickleball player Anna Bright of the MLP St. Louis Shock.

“While we work to generate excitement for blueberries all year long, we think National Blueberry Month makes July the biggest and best month of the year, and we know that many blueberry superfans feel the same way! What better way to capture that enthusiasm than with a thrilling spectacle that turns ‘grab a boost of blue’ into a literal sport – while at the same time engaging pickleball players and fans as the Official Fruit of Major League Pickleball,” said Hartmann. “Whether you enjoy blueberries for an active lifestyle, or simply because they’re delicious, we hope to inspire and grow even more love and passion for blueberries year after year.”

While the sport of professional competitive eating comes with the cautionary advice of “do not try this at home,” blueberry fans still have a chance to win big – a grand prize of $10,000 plus runners-up prizes – by celebrating National Blueberry Month in a different way that can be just as fun and more creative. The Great American Blueberry Challenge social media contest runs through July 31 and is specifically for everyday consumers. USHBC invites people to think of an idea that shows off a creative, unique or even downright wacky way to enjoy blueberries – for example, seeing how high you can blow a blueberry up in the air, or eating blueberries with chopsticks while blindfolded. To enter, participants must share their video on Instagram, tagging @blueberries and including #BlueberryChallengeContest in the post. More  information is available at GreatAmericanBlueberryChallenge.com.

To learn more about blueberries and explore delicious recipes, swaps and other inspiration, visit Blueberry.org.

About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is an agriculture promotion group, representing blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. The blueberry industry is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at blueberrycouncil.org.

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SOURCE U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

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Senior Pickleball Report

Sleeves Tells Us The Best Way to Begin a Pickleball Point!

The Senior Pickleball Report emphasizes the importance of preparation for consistent performance in pickleball. It offers resources and updates for the senior pickleball community.

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May 4, 2025

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Our latest episode of the Senior Pickleball Report

To gain consistency we must look at what we do and how we prepare prior to a point being played.

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Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story Premieres April 11 on truTV

Dreambreaker: A Pickleball Story Premieres April 11 on truTV

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Senior Pickleball Report

Fifty Dollar D.I.Y. Pickleball Court?

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May 2, 2025

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The latest chapter of the Senior Pickleball Report presented to you by Mike Sleeves Sliwa…

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Unmasking the Deception: The $300 Million Fraud Case Surrounding Arizona Athletic Grounds

Randy and Chad Miller face serious fraud charges after allegedly defrauding investors out of $300 million in their failed sports complex, revealing a cautionary tale for investors.

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1 month ago

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April 14, 2025

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A huge sports facility illuminated by the light of sunset. Created by AI

In a tale that intertwines ambition with deceit, the shocking story of Randy and Chad Miller, the father-son duo behind what was once touted as the largest sports and entertainment complex in the United States, has taken a dark turn. Opening the sprawling Bell Bank Park—which boasts an impressive 194 fields and courts—in East Mesa just three years ago, the Millers had big dreams. But now, they find themselves embroiled in a federal indictment that claims they defrauded investors out of nearly $300 million.

A Grand Vision Becomes a Nightmare

The original vision for the sports complex, which has since been rebranded as Arizona Athletic Grounds, was ambitious. Randy Miller, the mastermind behind the project, had long dreamed of creating a hub for sports and entertainment that would attract families, athletes, and fans from across the nation. After years of planning and investment, the facility finally opened its doors, seemingly fulfilling a lifelong dream.

However, dreams of grandeur have turned into a nightmare, as the Millers face serious allegations of using the facility as a front for an elaborate fraud scheme. With the company declaring bankruptcy in 2023—reporting debts of a staggering $366 million—investors and stakeholders are left reeling.

The Allegations: A Web of Fraud and Deceit

According to the federal indictment, Randy and Chad Miller allegedly enriched themselves at the expense of investors, using funds raised from municipal bonds for personal luxuries rather than for the intended purpose of constructing and operating the sports complex. The FBI claims they employed fraudulent documents and misrepresented the financial viability of the project to lure in unsuspecting investors.

From lavish purchases of luxury vehicles to alleged misappropriation of funds for personal expenses, their actions paint a picture of greed and entitlement. Not only did the Millers reportedly pay themselves significantly beyond disclosed salaries, but they also misled investors with false financial projections and forged documentation purporting to show interest from customers.

A Cautionary Tale for Investors

This case serves as a cautionary tale about the complexities of investing in large-scale projects. The Millers poured their aspirations into the Arizona Athletic Grounds but masked disappointing financial realities with misleading projections and falsified documents. The initial feasibility study performed in 2016 indicated the project would generate significantly lower revenues than anticipated—a warning sign that went ignored in pursuit of ambition.

In a staggering twist, the project opened to a far cry from its projected success, generating less than $28 million in its first year compared to the nearly $96 million touted to investors. With bankruptcy filings showing that investors recouped a paltry sum of less than $2.5 million from their $284 million investment, many are left to ponder how their trust could be so easily manipulated.

Legal Ramifications and Future Implications

As the case unfolds, Randy and Chad Miller are facing severe legal consequences, including charges for wire fraud, securities fraud, and aggravated identity theft. If convicted, they could spend decades in prison, a sobering reality for the once-celebrated entrepreneurs. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is also pursuing parallel action, further complicating matters for the Millers.

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This incident not only reflects the pitfalls that entrepreneurs can face but also highlights the responsibilities of investors to conduct thorough due diligence before committing funds to any venture. The tale of the Millers serves as a stark reminder of the importance of integrity, transparency, and community trust in business practices.

Conclusion

As this saga continues to unfold, the story of the Arizona Athletic Grounds serves as a reflection on ambition gone awry. It’s a stark reminder that behind every grand vision lies the essential need for honesty and ethical conduct. The community of East Mesa, once hopeful for a thriving sports destination, now faces the challenge of moving forward, learning from the past, and rebuilding trust in local business ventures. We can only hope that the lessons from this cautionary tale resonate not just within the realm of sports and entertainment but across all industries that forge the backbone of our economy.

Related link:

https://www.themesatribune.com/news/300m-mesa-sports-park-fraud-alleged/article_44c8a2cb-900d-42c7-a737-2e5a03c5ee88.html

Get the latest updates and information on the rapidly growing sport of pickleball, which is specifically designed for the senior community aged 50+. Check out Sleeve’s Senior Pickleball Report on YouTube to stay informed and up-to-date with the ever-changing world of pickleball. Join the community and stay ahead of the game.

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The fate of Lucky Supermarkets in SoCal

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