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Appalachian Mtns.

It has just today come to my attention thru an e-mail I received, that a group had begun to officially form in July 2004, called the "South West Giant Pumpkin Growers". From what I understand, this group was to cover the Southwest United States region, California, Pacific Northwest area, something along those lines...at least that is what I understand from the information I was given.
I have been told this new group was to launch a fantastic, non-GPC certified weigh-off, in the California/Los Angeles/Orange County??, and was hopeful to attract many of the NW Pacific growers, and many thousands of visitors in conjuction with an existing event. The prize monies were to be very high compared to current standards, this was to be a big event as I was told. I was also told that things were going well until I *launched* my club. It's been said to me that the entire plan then fell apart and that some Pacific NW folks had said I "jumped the" SWGPG "claim", and subsequently the whole thing fell apart.
I *officially* began the SPGA in Feb., 2004 when I acquired the domain name "www.southernpumpkins.com". The group has 17 members, all who signed up between the Fall/Winter of 2003/2004 and Spring 2004. Posts on this site from that time period will confirm this I'm sure.
My groups geographical region extends west to Texas, only because the State of Texas is included in the SPGA logo...there are no actual members from Texas. The SPGA region does not state, nor has it ever, to go further West than that, nor has it been implied.
Until today, I have never heard of the SWGPG group, or their planned "coming out". I've been told I "jumped a claim", yet not one person has ever contacted me about this supposed situation until today.

12/31/2004 3:27:35 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

continued...
The groups names are completely different (other than the word "south" is *part* of my groups name), the initials are not the same, and the regions are totally at opposite sides of the country. Yet I'm being told the West Coast group dissolved, and their weigh-off plans with it, because I "jumped a claim".
The SPGA was originally founded back in the 1990's by Joe Mills. I asked for, and received, last Winter, permission to use the name and Joe's blessing to try to re-organize the group. I have a planned fundraiser coming up, and with a blessing from the Dill's.
I'd like to publicly state that I had never heard of this group until today, and not one person has ever contacted me until today about these *issues*.
I absolutely reject the claim that I intruded on someone else's *claim* to an organizational name, or intruded on another groups geographical region. Nor have I ever tried to interfere in any other pumpkin groups plans and/or dealings.
The two aforementioned groups have different orgqanizational names, different condensed initials, and completely different regions of interest. The SPGA was initially created back in the 1990's, and this version of it is simply a re-creation of the original, not the birth of.

12/31/2004 3:27:56 PM

San Diego

Southern,

Being in San Diego, I consider myself in the south west and I have never ever heard of this south west giant pumpkin growers either. We have a new non gpc weigh off in san diego which myself and a couple other growers are starting. I know of one other small non gpc weigh off in orange county (los angeles area). Never heard of anything else. From what you have written, I wouldn't worry about anything:) Jimmy

12/31/2004 8:05:23 PM

derry n.h u.s.a.

Smells fishy to me Kyle:
you,ve been on this for awhile, you have my vote.John

12/31/2004 9:44:57 PM

Rhode Island

amen

1/1/2005 10:46:59 AM

San Luis Obispo Ca

Oh yea! I got the biggest in the West!.

1/1/2005 12:29:08 PM

San Diego, Ca.

The SWGPG is news to me. I've never heard of them.

1/1/2005 1:39:53 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Brian...you have mail.

1/1/2005 5:31:44 PM

Vancouver, White Rock, Canada

Southern, I wouldn't worry about it, I don't think anyone on this site has heard of this other group and their "big plans." Besides, isn't the southern United States big enough for 2 separate groups? Aren't you in the south-east anyways? How would your group affect plans for a weigh-off in California?

Can't we all just get along?

1/1/2005 5:44:04 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Good question Lawman, good question.
I get no responses back from the one who sent the e-mail, and I consider him a reputable and straightforward grower who shouldn't have any agendas.
Very strange.
Either someones an idiot (and it's *not* me), or I'm being set-up for something.
I'm sure not trying to "not" get along, that's for sure.

1/1/2005 10:44:55 PM

Leamington, Ont.

Just keep at it! You have a lot of support from everyone here. I seems kind of funny that nobody else has heard anything about this other group. I think that mabey somebody really likes your idea and wants it for themselves!?? It appears that you have been working very hard to pull this together. My hat's off to you.
If there's anything I can do to help(Ideas, web site...)
drop me an e-mail

1/2/2005 12:07:27 AM

Midway City, California

Maybe this will help you Southern if this is what you are talking about.
About three years ago a Gentleman started a local pumpkin group in Orange County, Southern California. This year the weigh off Had some big pumpkins including the one that was in the Rose Parade. The weigh off also had some nice prizes for winners in different catagorlies. At the end of the day I asked the gentleman if he is ready to join the Giant Pumpkin Growers Assocation. His answer was "NO" we just want to have FUN. Note: there was other members of Big Pumkins.Com that were there.

1/2/2005 8:21:33 AM