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bliss,n.y.- heart of Wyoming County

As most of the Eastern growers know, this has not been a banner year. Especially with the extreme cold and rain in Western New York. This post is not to complain and whine about woulda-coulda. It is to bask in the warm innocent wide-eyed smiles of the kids who look at our pumpkins. They are the future of our avocation/sport/ just plain fun activity.
Yesterday, I parked my truck with my 576 outside the elementary school where I teach( Letchworth Central). I teach seniors in the high school wing, so there is a bit of disconnect between my job and the little guys ( like 12 years of classes!!)
The pre-k and k-4 youngsters came out , measured, probed, examined and just had fun trying to come up with a guess or formula to determine the gourd's weight. I supplied prizes ( big bags of Halloween Candy- of course) to the boy and girl who correctly came the closest to the real weight. Amazingly one was right on, the other was off by two pounds.
The smiles on their faces- what better reward can there be?
I am not a super heavy hitter, but that giant pumpkin sure was a hit with the kids. Now that's true satisfaction for growing AG's. It just cannot get better than that!
Best of luck to all you in the coming weigh-off's.
And remember, these are the little guys that will grow up and someday produce that holy grail of pumpkindom, 2000lbs or more .
Many of the kids are asking for seeds, so as soon as they dry.. they are heading to the kids.
PS- Thank-you to all the growers who kindly help me each year by returning bubbles. If they are not planted by me.. they go to youngsters in our county 4-H program. Since the 4-H has switched from store bought seeds to ours.. wow... the weight numbers for the kids are a climbing.
Thanks again.. BP

9/29/2009 1:23:33 PM

Oklahoma State Record Holder

I did about the same thing here today i took my Pumpkin down the grade school and let the kids look at it.

I hoipe to get enough interest going to start a club here.

9/29/2009 8:52:18 PM

Jefferson, Ohio

much agreed... I enjoy watching kids wide eyes and smiles as they see these biggies in the yard or garden. I usually take one by the local elementary for a visit as well. Good luck next year Jim r

9/30/2009 9:14:36 AM