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Waquoit Mass

see post on capitalism. i would like to thank jacklarue for his help when i first started with late nite phone calls and answering my dumb questions also john castellucci for his generosity to other growers and steve davies who supported me after my worst season in 03. who else has helped you guys ?

3/23/2005 11:38:07 AM

Bobcaygeon Ontario

Everyone I have dealt with in the pumpkin growing community have been great people. Some of the first seeds I grew were freely supplied to me by Dave McCallum and Bill Greer. Other growers that have always been generous are Drew Papez,Phil Joynson ,Al Eaton and Phil Hunt who is always ready to help out.
There are many others who trade with me freely......like I said, GREAT PEOPLE! Thankyou.

3/23/2005 12:02:01 PM

berkshire M.A.

I would like to thank David Garrell ,he is the first grower i talked with and sent me on my way into this pumpkin world.Other growers i like to thank are C.Koch ,M.Pistono,J.Goetze ,D.Hajdas and can't leave out the Ice-Man .Allong with all the other growers that swap seeds with me ,Thank you!!

3/23/2005 12:07:57 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

I have several I want to thank for their help. Al Berard, my good friend, who has encouraged, helped and driven me the last 3 years. Glenn Andrews who taught me to never give up and has been so very generous. All the NH boys, who without their generosity, advice and frendship, I never would be where I am today. Joe Pukos, Kirk Mombert, Jack LaRue, Steve Daletas, and Jim Sherwood who are always willing to answer my questions. David Garrell for the 859 that grew my biggest pumpkin and all the other trades we've worked out. All the other generous folks who have sent and traded seeds, you know who you are. All my pals who come to the chat every night and exchange ideas, advice and BS. The BP community, who without I would never have known anything about growing pumpkins or learned nearly what I have with you all. Thank you. I could go on for pages as there are many more, but I owe these folks a heartfelt thank you for their time in helping me get this far.

3/23/2005 12:28:36 PM

Knopp, Germany

ken and john. if not for them, i would have never grown one over a couple hundred pounds, praise to this website.

pappy, jeff, alexsdad and svrichb are the first growers that got me excited about this sport, was a few years ago, they know.

stunner made the mistake of giving me a few tips on how to get seeds...lol

joe ailts tried to teach me what it meant to understand the genetics side of our hobby, god bless his soul, he had a dumb pupil.

bart took me to the side and said, grow my 707, thank you bart, it worked.

kenny and cary showed me what it meant to share great seeds, and to repay to the rest of the community my luck. i will give away seed that i paid for, in a heart beat.

martin, michel, peter, and ingo gave me some fellowship at my first weighoff when i had a 165 pounder, they are truely good friends.

carlos from spain was always there with me during my best year, i thank you for you support.

bohica, borer, and G, they have given me some insight to the rest of the world of giant pumpkin growing, i have so much to learn.

and there are so many more, ruschi, don young, gosh i could not even think of them all.

joe, steve, bruce, another joe, ray, al, man talking about heavy hitter, they all answered my emails.

and if i did not mention you, then believe it from my heart, i will always remember.

3/23/2005 12:55:13 PM

Applegate, Oregon

There are sooo many to thank! Soooo, I am going to be looooooooong winded.....lol!

I want to thank all who sent seeds to me my first year and those who have agreed to swap with me since. Thanks to Bruce Whittier and Greg Kurkowski for calling me my first year and giving me some tidbits while welcoming me to the insanity. A huge thanks to all involved in the PGVG, especially Steve Daletas, Jack LaRue, Jim Sherwood, Brett Hester and the rest of the gang! You guys have been a huge help and are always a phone call or email away! I would also like to thank Brian Reid for taking immeasurable steps to help the PGVG and other individual growers as a need or want arises. He is truly one of those selfless guys who lends a hand when he can.

I have to thank Rock Rivard for cracking me up every time I see him…lol. Of course, there are many more here on BP along with Ken and John who deserve major kudos.

I have to thank Cary Polka for motivating me to work harder in my patch. In ’03, when I had my two biggest split and she beat me with her 598.5, she rubbed it in for several months. Since she lives near me, I was very motivated to beat her in ’04. Thanks Cary…lol.

Finally, Thanks to Warren Buscho for being a great friend and fellow grower to bounce ideas off of and for the frequent patch visits each year! Geez, you’d think I won an Oscar.

3/23/2005 1:22:12 PM

Utah

hummm ... way to many to list ... and the list grows every year.
but way back in the begining for me it was,
information wise: Duncan McAlpine and his web site... Chris Michalec...
seed wise: Chris Michalec, Brett Hester, Lincoln Mettler, Clyde Wilson, and Howard Dill Seeds.

and of course Scotty who doesn't fit into any category... lol!

now it is BP and everyone !
gordon

3/23/2005 2:30:05 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

So many people have helped me and given me seeds that to try to name them all would for sure leave someone out. I would like to say though that it was Ray Waterman who interested me in getting started in pumpkin growing. I read in the newspaper about a big pumpkin being grown and weighed in Collins, NY and Ray Waterman was named in the article as well as how to get in contact with him. I got my first seeds, my lifter and all my instructions from him via a newsletter he sent out at the time as part of the WPC. There were no growers I knew of near me. I was the lone nut in Altoona who was trying to grow a big pumpkin, an oddity. Thanks Ray.

3/23/2005 2:35:31 PM

Massillon, Ohio

i remember reponding to a thread like this a few monthes ago. i thanks tons of growers and someone said in response, "christy , im sure all them guys you mentioned are pretty nice guys, but im wondering if your brown nosing here a little bit ????...."

(yes i copy pasted that just now)

so in order to not 'suck up' to anyone and be labelled a 'brown noser', i just want to say THANKS TO EVERYBODY !! you all rule

3/23/2005 3:10:19 PM

Ri

Definition Nervous: My turn for the 04 informal patch tour with the likes of Dick Wallace, Joe Jutras, Steve Sperry, and Fred Macari. Outstanding in your yard advice, feedback, [dick goin at it with the prunin knive and givin me hell LOL]and suggestions by some of the most successful growers I have in my area. In turn, same day visits to their patches to visualize and reinforce suggestions and growing methods. Each of these guys availible day or night for a "brain pickin"!! THANK YOU Peter

3/23/2005 5:13:31 PM

many people have helped me here with how to;s and ideas this is great site to learn. lots of people to thank-tom privitera, glenn andrews,sam loveless,owen olsen,steve jepson,russ landry,martin reiss,mike frantz,dan carlson,marc peterson,jeff glover,cary polka,tom beachy- many more,im still learning things all the time-thanks everyone,

3/23/2005 5:29:44 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

I want to thank everyone that has given me tips and advise, not to mention seeds, special thanks to Craig Lambke, Randy and Deb Sundstrom, Andy Wolf, Don Young (my partner in crime with the germ tests!) Sam Lovelace, Owen, Jerry Rose, Martin, Steve and so many more!
Thanks to ALL!

3/23/2005 5:47:11 PM

[email protected]

Ken & John for providing this forum.
Dave Garrell for everything.
Bart Toftness for the first response.
Chris Fasciano for the first seeds.
Alan Nesbitt for unending historical information.
Alan Reynolds, Jim Stead, Dick Wallace, Jerry Rose, Eric Gerry,......the list is endless.

In forming our club...Dave's seeds, Alan Nesbitt's & countless other generous donations, Tom Privitera for website developement, Adam Wheeler, Jeff Herman, John Rolleri, Ray Leonzi, Matt DeBacco, Mark Lombardi, Chris, Bart.....endless again.

Howard Dill for providing fodder for a magazine article in 1993 (Dealer-Applicator magazine) that rekindled my love of growing pumpkins even if I couldn't find real deal Dill's Atlantic Giant seeds.

3/23/2005 6:39:54 PM

Appalachian Mtns.

Al Eaton...thanks much!

3/23/2005 9:26:26 PM

Eugene,OR

Here is a good Al Eaton story. I met Mr. Eaton at the California Grower's meeting about a month ago and spoke with him briefly. He was the featured speaker so there were lots of people who were interested in talking with him. One of the organizers of the seminar had to pull him away from our conversation before he was able to answer my question. I didn't think anything of it. About 10 days later I got an e-mail from him stating that he recalled not having a chance to answer a question I'd asked him, but needed to have his memory refreshed as to what the question was. I was stunned. He had no reason even to know who I was, let alone remember that a week and a half before he didn't have a chance to answer my question, then figure out who I was and how to get my e-mail address! If you ask me, this guy DESERVES to hold the world record.

3/23/2005 9:47:19 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Novice grower from W. KY. who is confident that BP is at the top of the list of caring and sharing websites. I don't post often, but when I do, I seem to get responses from people with genuine info. The few times I have sent private emails to other posters...Tremor, docgipe, Copper...I have always received answers. The thing that amazes me most about this site is that the threads with the most responses seem to be the people threads...the ones that truly go to the heart of life. Who are you?...and the prayer requests come to mind. An absolutely amazing collection of God's children. Peace Wayne
P.S. My goal for 2005...500# My goal for 2006...a trip to Niagra...to personally meet some of these amazing folk.
Oh, by the way, all of the snipeing is a downer...Live and let live...and to all...GROW 'EM BIG!!!!!

3/23/2005 10:34:24 PM

Rhode Island

I've got to say thanks to all the guys in RI for all the help...and words of wisdom!!!!! I remember steve sperry asking me in 03 how I grew my 726.5... last year I was asking him about his 1253!!!!!!what a difference a year can make!
Dick and Ron wallace,Joe Jutras, Steve Sperry,Freddy Macari...Can't say enough!!!John Castelucci...(Telling me I'll go far with growing pumpkins)Big Ego Booster!!!!My Head Hurt LOL!!and my good buddy Pete...Always there when the borers set in........and after they DIED!

3/23/2005 10:39:01 PM

Ohio

Well, there is a bunch, Lisa and Roger Wentzell for getting me into this crazy sport and the first to send me seed to where I could grow one over 500lbs my 1st year. Kyle Little who offered me any seed I wanted in his seed collection. Steve Jepsen, and Dwain (docgipe) who sends me a novel of emails describing every last detail about every question i emailed them.Brett Hester,Al Eaton, and Jack Larue who has also answered every email i ever wrote them(might take Brett a while to answer, but he will answer every email,lol) And last but not least Dick Wallace, who reminds me alot of my late grandfather and even looks like him too, even though he isnt that old,lol and many many more that i might be forgetting.

Brooks

3/24/2005 5:17:13 AM

White Plains, NY

Steve Jepsen A.K.A. "Tremor" Thank you for all your technical knowledge and advice, soil tests and results, etc. to and for all the growers.

I believe you have earned a Gold Star from the Pumpkin family.

Capt.

3/24/2005 7:37:33 AM

Montoursville, PA

It's amazing. Right or wrong soil experts share, among the highest order, in any hobby that I am aware of. Growing is a major interest, of mankind. Pumpkins are our insanity.

Helping me are: To my East a frequent helper and friend Tony Ciliberto. On my Southwest the Checkon's, Lub-a-dub, Marvin Hicks and others. To my North is Craig Lempkle the most schooled and practical experienced healthy patch grower I have ever known. The total guys and girls at the Pennsylvania, Ohio and Niagara meetings who answer my dumb questions.

Most important are you the growers who ask the hard questions about healthy patch management that keep me honest and diving, for proven reasonable understandable response.

3/24/2005 9:38:24 AM

Sparta, NC

I would like to thank everyone here on BP.com. This is the place where I got started with this hobby/addiction. lol Everyone has been so helpful and generous. I have learned so much in chat every night from everyone that frequents the chatrooms. I couldn't begin to name everyone that has helped me out over the last couple of years. So here is a big THANK YOU to everybody on this great site.

3/24/2005 6:47:11 PM

Cameron,ontario Team Lunatic

Too many to thank, so I'll just say one BIG THANKYOU to everyone thats answered my many questions. Good luck to everyone, I hope you all have new PB this season.

Phil

3/24/2005 7:07:35 PM

Eugene, OR

I agree. There are so many great people involved in pumpkin growing that deserve my thanks, I wouldn't know where to start! I do have to send out a special thank you to Don Chambers of West Virginia for being the first pumpkin grower to offer me seeds and for answering my MANY dumb question throughout the '04 season. A special thank you also goes out to John and Ken for the best darn pumpkin site out there as well as the great people of the PGVG for making me feel so welcome. You're all great!!!

Brian

3/24/2005 7:58:36 PM

Rhode Island

i remember like it was yesterday when i grew my first ag

it was 1989 and it rippened so fast it was in our garage from early september up to the begining of october

when i finally got it to a weigh off and during the unloading , some jackass in the crowd said i should go back to ri with it

well ,those were the days when only a few ag growers knew what to do, and they were not about to tell anyone, at least i could not find one to tell me

how times have changed

thanks mainly to jack larue and kirk mombert we finally stated getting somewhere by 1993
then don langevins books started being published and the lid was blown completely off the information locker

i also want to thank my good friends john castellucci, david stelts, alan gibson, tim parks, steve daletas ,joey pukos, and my son ron, for all the good advise they have shared over the years
(i know once i send this several more names will be remembered and ill feel like a horses patush for not mentioning them so to you i say )-----( OOPS )

pap

3/24/2005 9:45:30 PM

Canada

Thanks goes out to "The Big Kahuna" Russ, and also all the people at BIGPUMKINS.COM My first year growing wasnt so great but I learned so much which will help better myself for the upcomeing years of growing big pumpkins.

best of luck to everyone in 2005 :-)

Cheers

DaveM

3/26/2005 9:52:19 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

i just want to say a great big thank you to each and every one who has ever sent me seeds answered my dumb questions and been there for me ive developed many friendships here on bp.com such as doc gipe craig lembke tom privetera,kyle little tom beachy and many many more thanks guys and girls thanks ken and john for giving all us pumpkin heads a home god bless yaall burrhead

3/27/2005 12:31:47 AM

Sophia WV

I would like to thank Jeff for directing me to BP.And then once I got here Tom Privetera acted like he had known me for years.He answered questions told me how to get seeds,and he introduced me to a slew of people.There is Burrhead,Brooks,Bobby,Joe pukos just to name a few.BP is a neighborhood of growers and most of all friends.Thanks Guys for all you have done. God Bless you all!!!!!

3/27/2005 7:25:57 AM

Anamosa, IA [email protected]

I want to thank Greg Norlin of Anamosa. He runs a very top notch weighoff. He also shared his seed germination technique with helped me tremendously. Also John Barlow who donated seeds to raise money for the Midwest Pumpkin Growers Association. They grew some nice pumpkins for me. My son, who is a real help in the garden, and quite a competitor for me. Also the people who traded seeds with me this year. People on Big Pumpkins are really great.

3/27/2005 12:02:06 PM

Claysburg , PA

The first person that sent me seeds was Bill Clark. Then Rocky and Larry Checkon helped me out along the with the PGPGA.

3/27/2005 12:23:43 PM