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Eastern Pennsylvania

I received the disappointing news today about my home weighoff. So we will just have to turn lemons in to lemondade kinda like we did with the crappy weather from last year. Altoona and points north (NY) lookout- the boys from eastern PA are coming to rain on your parades lol. Jim

4/15/2010 1:05:59 PM

Team Munson

Jim,
I was very disappointed to hear the news about the show being canceled the Longwood Garden site was outstanding even in the pouring rain.

I hope they have a change in heart and renew for 2011 please stay in touch with Adam and let him know the 2008 show was their biggest attended day ever from what I hear.

My biggest pleasure from the day at Longwood was getting to meet all the gang from central to eastern PA. Carol & I had a great time and all attending were very friendly and made the day much brighter than the weather allowed!!!

Dave

4/16/2010 8:58:53 AM

The bottom of New Jersey

That's a bummer! We missed the Longwood weigh-off last year and were looking forward to it this year. They had nice prize money there too.

4/16/2010 10:02:22 AM

Eastern Pennsylvania

It was great meeting you Dave, Carol, Christy, Nick, and everyone who came out in 2009 including all of the veterans from 2008. It was so unfortunate that it was raining that afternoon but once we got there I don't think the growers hardly noticed. What a dismal string of days that was, loading the pumpkins in 35°F pouring rain, driving down there in the foggy dark rain early in the morning. It really knocked the crowd down- killed it really.

What a difference from 2008... there wasn't a cloud in the sky and 80°F that day. The people filled the lawn areas, indoor reception area, overhanging balcony and Mezzanine sections... there had to be over 2,500 people packed just in that area to see the pumpkins weighed. I got there late as usual and remember coming down that path along side my neon orange pumpkins being forked in and seeing those people. That was the type of reception a pumpkin grower who worked hard all season deserved. I'm telling you in 2008 I felt like a triumphent conquerer returning to Rome in all my glory lol. It wasn't just an event for the growers- it was a show, a production- in a venue that many growers couldn't imagine.

On the brighter side this may give us the motivation we need to branch out, attend some different events and put faces and smiles with the names of those friends we've made here on BP after all these years. The sad thing for Longwood is that many of us probably would have come down there for nothing, no prize $ at all if they had just paid their GPC dues and got some plaques and ribbons.

It may be time for the Eastern PA and New Jersey growers to come together in some sort of rough fashioned club. We've had some small informal breakfast meetings already. Perhaps we can start with some patch tours and work our way up to our own weighoff somewhere out in the future. I guess I'll be the one to spear head that "little project." See you all (somewhere) in the fall. -Jim Gerhardt

4/16/2010 12:38:35 PM

Johnstown, Ohio

Did they cite a reason? That was definitely at the top of my list for weigh-off's this year, even as far away as it was. It really is a top notch facility and I recommend it to everyone if you ever get the chance...pumpkin weigh-off or not!

4/17/2010 9:58:27 PM

Rhode Island

possibly the current economy coupled with the low attendance last year which caused them to loose money?
no site will just put out money without at least a break even return i would think?
my best to that club and its growers on finding a new home ......pap

4/18/2010 7:38:56 AM

The Garden State

Jim count me in on any Eastern PA- New Jersey club. I am really bummed out that they are cancelling Longwood....I had my sites set on taking home the Dill award.

4/19/2010 1:03:21 PM