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Auburn Maine, USA

I recieved a copy of Mr. Langevins 3rd addition and a pack of Dill seeds a couple Christmas' ago. Mr. Langevin repeatedly in his book boasted about the generous, warm welcoming attitude that the small, yet very spread out Giant pumpkin growing community had towards other growers and new growers. The sharing of knowledge and seeds from veteran growers to ones starting out really says alot for the pumpkin growing community. Im wondering how out-of-date Mr. Langevins book is slowly becoming. On this forum Ive seen many arguments between growers sharing different views. Ive seen a young grower dumped on everytime he enters the chat (Its normal to be obnoxious when youre young). Ive asked questions in chat in a way not to seem annoying and have gotten totally blown off. Thanks by the way. It kinda takes some of the joy and fun out of it.
My opinion (if it matters): A pumpkin chat is a chat room where, if you enjoy growing and talking about growing the big ones, is an awesome place to pick up some pointers. Why get annoyed at someone asking, not begging, questions about techniques used. One would assume that being in a pumpkin chat pumpkin questions would come up. I feel differences between folks should be debated and settled in private, not in the wide open for all to see. And last, its hard to ignore a kid thats being annoying next to you. Its real easy to ignore one thats comments are text. Pretty simple.

Dont get me wrong, there are so many AWESOME growers out there willing to give advice. Hoorah to you all. If there isnt a "Most generous Award", than maybe it wouldnt be a bad idea. Maybe its the bad seeds (no pun intended) that stick out. Oh well. To each his own.................

1/24/2007 10:01:24 PM

[email protected]

Not enough information to comment on any particular situation. But I do know that folks get a little "itchy" this time of year & are a little less tolerant of youthful exuberance. LOL

1/24/2007 10:54:35 PM

Auburn Maine, USA

Tremor, you and Docgipe are two people I hope read my posts when I post them. You guys are the Sh@#. Thanks by the way

1/24/2007 10:56:53 PM

Farmville, Virginia ([email protected])

Ever seen a pack of rabbit beagles that have not been out to chase rabbits for awhile? Man they start getting irate with each other until they get out to have their fun! Pumpkin growers in the off season fit the same description!!! Exactly the point that Steve makes here. Gotta HATE these darn winter blues!!!

1/25/2007 2:52:15 AM

Hamburg, NY

Bet you're glad we had a different view back when you guys started!

1/25/2007 4:18:20 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

There is a chatroom etiquette which must be followed in order for us to all get along. Some individuals have been given advice on that etiquette and continue to ignore it.

I have been blessed by the generosity of the growers in this forum in the forms of advice and seed trades. It exemplifies the willingness of all involved in this pursuit to help one another.

1/25/2007 8:09:01 AM

Ohio

Here is how I see the pumpkin growing community and here's the best way I can explain how we get along.
When I was A kid we had a fishing camp in WV where we would fish for small mouth. My Grandfather(who looked exactly like Dick Wallace to a T,LOL) would have his 5 brothers and their close friends at our camp every April to slay some great big smallies.
At night time they would sit on the screen porch of that old camp and shoot the BS and play cards. Well, just like clock work these guy would start arguing back and forth to the point I thought fist where gonna fly, but fist never did fly and at the end of the night before they went to bed its like the arguments never even happened. The next day when they all went fishing together (with their fly rods) you wouldn't hear not one guy arguing with each other and why is that? , I think its because 1, they are best friends and doing something they loved to do, and 2, they was all old enough to know that to disagree with someone is ok and its not the end of the world.
It seems no matter what they argued about it was always forgot about in a couple hours. Now for women, I think this is different, they never forget and it seems like they hold grudges way longer then us men, LOL. Men let things go alot faster then women do for some reason, Ha! Here's my point though, even though we might argue and fight a little it still doesnt mean we don't like each other, and when it comes down to the nitty gritty us pumpkin growers stick together to help one another out and everything else is forgot about.

1/25/2007 8:11:57 AM

Maine

Lots of helpful growers in chat at any given time. Almost everyone is willing to help out with info/seed or whatever it may be.

1/25/2007 8:24:22 AM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Guess you would have to know the whole story before you pass judgement on to others. Most of us go out of our way to help new growers. Give away proven seeds to many new growers. Its when a certain grower demands seeds be sent. Then bad mouths you. Does not follow protocol for seed requests. Then still bad mouths you. You offer to help, and even offer the seed of his dreams if he can do the needed homework and footwork. Only to be spit upon. hmmm life is to short to help those who do not want it.

1/25/2007 8:54:55 AM

Rhode Island

randalls

on chat just as in socity you will meet all types of people

the good thing about the bp pumpkin chat room is the majority of people taking part are good and honest people

you will always in any group get the odd ball however, they are few and far between.

pap

1/25/2007 9:06:10 AM

Waquoit Mass

bp chat i believe is not representative of the pumpkin community.you have a great pumpkin group in maine use it .the chat is what it is a time filler to gettin outside to grow.there are a lot more growers now and alot are very different than when i started .

1/25/2007 9:23:30 AM

Pemberton, BC

It takes all kinds randalls. The timeless words of Elwood Blues come to mind "me, you, everybody..."

This other post of yours does confuse me a tad though??

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=1&p=185405

Chad

1/25/2007 12:24:28 PM

Massillon, Ohio

LOL. got a good laugh from that link chad. it's easy for people to preach to OTHERS about being nice though.

i've never once met a mean pumpkin grower. but over the computer, personalities come out that dont really exist in real life. if people talked in real life, they wouldnt talk like they do in chat (or on the boards), i know it. so no, i dont think don's book is outdated since he says "growers are super nice". (so nice in fact, i once received, as a gift, a 1068 from someone who never had even met me in real life).

here's the solution i live by: dont go in chat.

that is the best way to avoid the intimidation and clique behavior that can appear at times.

1/25/2007 12:47:55 PM

maine USA

Brooks as a female member of this group consider this day 1 of me remembering that that woman grudge remark. You have been notified. LOL KathyT :}

1/25/2007 1:17:52 PM

Is it spring yet?

1/25/2007 3:33:02 PM

No Place Special

Good post Randall. I am in chat often and read most posts on BP. I think I have seen some change in growers attitudes since I started in 2001 but over all pumpkin growers are and i think always will be a very generous bunch. It seems anymore that the pumpin grower population is growing quicker than a bunny farm. It used to be rare to see a new person in chat but for as often as I am in chat there are always new names I have never seen. I love to chat pumpkins, I would rather do that anyday than the typical BS we normally end up passing the time with. Also I bet almost any question a new grower might have could be found on BP with a simple and quick site search. Maybe some of the experienced growers that are in chat often are getting worn down by the same questions day after day with all the new guys? Chin up Randalls, there are a couple bad eggs out there (trust me I know) but over all PUMPKIN GROWERS ROCK!!!

1/25/2007 4:13:07 PM

ordinary,VA

I like grits

1/25/2007 6:15:25 PM

Ohio

LOL KATHY!!! its true, guys forget fights that we had the very next day, Women never forget,,and then when us guys forget all about what we was fighting about the women will remind you, HAHAHAHAHA!!!

1/25/2007 6:51:09 PM

Ohio

Mike, gimmee a hug big guy.

1/25/2007 6:53:09 PM

New Castle, Pa.

I wish I could type fast enough to go into the chat rooms to participate. I've tried and its just more than these two fingers can keep up with.

1/25/2007 7:39:06 PM

Minnesota([email protected])

Brooks,
Maybe you should write a book on relationships LOL.

1/25/2007 11:09:45 PM

maine USA

Brooks, since I found you post early I was able to move on from finding my daily grudge, to choosing what what to nag my husband about! A womans work is never done! KathyT

1/25/2007 11:35:14 PM

Pinedale, WY

I am a new guy, and I found all sorts of help here. I have never experienced what you have randalls. It has all been positive. So thanks everyone.

1/26/2007 1:34:19 AM

Eugene,OR

I nominate Brooks as the new Big Pumpkins story teller.

1/26/2007 1:03:44 PM

Mt Vernon Ky

Old Hickory i have the same thing and shake too much but i like too see what everyone talking about vic

1/26/2007 5:22:12 PM

Ohio

LoL VINEMAN!! its bad at home with my kids because now they are onto me and dont believe any story out of my mouth,It gets frustating when Im telling them the truth and they dont believe me,LOL. I gotta quit teasing em so much.

1/26/2007 6:46:19 PM

Canada

Randall...I don't really know you.........but I have to agree with parts of your statement....myself and others have at times not handled ourselves well on chat..... but we are all individuals, with daily stress.... our own personal conflicts with some growers......our own personal issues......God didn't make us perfect..we all have a sinful nature....we all have to work at it each day...but I can say with much certainity that the majority love to help and our great people....much like a family, we can fight, argue, and make-up...if you need help just ask........if someone bothers you or if you feel blown off.......privately e-mail a top grower, I am 100% sure you'll get help..... chat can be fun, annoying, interesting, full of knowledge, full of B.S, but its full great people too......

1/28/2007 8:30:39 AM

Butler, Ohio

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ , hibernating til spring

1/29/2007 8:14:28 PM