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Ohio

I was loading my 1068 Wallace(1212lbs ott) up this evening using a back hoe with a boom attached to the bucket, and as we got the pumpkin up about 3 inches off the ground the 3/4 inch chain snapped. After my pumpkin hit the ground I looked at my Dad and could tell from the expression on his face that it wasnt good, Ill never forget that expression on his face as long as I live thats for sure. I then looked at the blossom end of my pumpkin and there was a crack that started from the blossom end that went all the way down underneath the pumpkin, I then walked around and looked at the stem end and it looked like a large spider web of cracks. I was sick,I cant even explain the feeling I was feeling after that pumpkin dropped and hit the ground. So as my pumpkin laid there on the ground with the lifting ring dug in the top of it, I went to get the saw to take the seeds out of it, but then thought to myself, things like this happen, nothing in the world you can do about it ether, and its nobodys fault, and if you grow these giants you better be prepared for some disapointments. I knew my time was coming but was hoping my time wasnt today,lol.
I loaded her up on the truck today cracks and all and look foward to meeting a bunch of great guys tomorrow at Canfield.

Brooks

10/5/2007 10:49:16 PM

Indiana

I hope this is kinda like an april fools joke. Regardless, looking forward to meeting you tomorrow.

Tom

10/5/2007 11:12:48 PM

Key West, FL

Hey Brooks, I'm in the same boat as you buddy. Lifted up my 1068 Wallace today (1202 lbs ott) and sure enough, there was a hole in the bottom...

Oh well. We still grew a big @ss pumpkin!

Ben

10/5/2007 11:15:56 PM

ExtremeVegetables.com

Sorry to hear of this Brooks.
You better keep an eye on that pumpkin. I'll be right behind you picking up the seeds that fall out.
See you tomorrow at Canfield!

10/5/2007 11:49:24 PM

Addison IL.

Sorry to hear that

10/6/2007 1:00:25 AM

Austria

For real? Bummer. Sorry to hear.

10/6/2007 1:04:00 AM

Ohio

I wish it was Tom, Only thing I can hope for is if the cracks dont go all the way through, I was poking around last night and cant get anything into the cavity but Ill let you guys look , its not pretty Ill tell ya that,lol.

10/6/2007 3:59:35 AM

Berlin,mi.([email protected])

bummer

10/6/2007 5:18:03 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Extreme bummer Brooks. And I second your sentiments.

I lifted mine yesterday only to find a mouse nest under it. I really didn't want to look beneath it, but did and found no damage. I thought mill fabric was supposed to prevent this. For the life of me, I can't figure out how the mouse got there.

And when the stem popped off my 1186 a month ago, I adopted the same feeling you did. There was nothing I could have done, so why fret over it.

I guess the longer you grow, the more jaded you become. Just makes the successes that much sweeter.

Good luck at Canfield. It will be a blast no matter how things turn out.

10/6/2007 6:00:32 AM

Carrollton, Ga.

sorry hear this news

10/6/2007 6:20:19 AM

Rhode Island

brooks

having a pumpkin drop whole lifting is somethong we all have in the backs of our mind. i know how much you wanted that 1068 to go all the way for you. dont fret. at a three inch drop you may get the pumpkin qualified after all. they are usually quite thick and as long as the cracks dont breach the cavity you should be allowed to compete.i know we would allow it

rot and old splits are one thing but what you have explained should still be judged sound if the cracks dont breach

pap

10/6/2007 8:00:28 AM

Joliet, IL

brooks,
hey bud, it makes me sick to hear the horror story. glad to hear though that you still got it loaded and that you are still taking it to get weighed. that weight will always be official in my book.

someone said, "Comedy = tragedy + time". you will always have a story to tell and one day you will laugh over this. in the mean time, take it on the chin and keep fighting bro.

shazzy

10/6/2007 8:32:20 AM

Phoenix, AZ

Brook,

I feel for you bud!

I like Pap's idea of what will qualify. If not, you did grow a biggie.

10/6/2007 9:09:34 AM

ordinary,VA

Brooks
man that is a nightmare come true for sure.hope the cracks are not all the way through.and your pumpkin will still be entered as sound.
either way you still had one heck of a year!!

10/6/2007 10:38:27 AM

Santa Rosa California

sorry to hear that

10/6/2007 11:09:40 AM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

Brooks, sorry to hear that dude...hope pap is right and you can still get an official weight.

And Ben, same thing, sorry to hear it was not sound.

10/6/2007 11:29:25 AM

Minnesota([email protected])

I'm sorry to hear that Brooks. You seem to have a good attitude about it. I hope it's official for you. Either way, you've had a great season!

10/6/2007 5:01:11 PM

Delaware, Ohio

OUCH BROOKS! I was at the SOGPGA weigh off and heard the news. I am so sorry.

10/6/2007 5:11:40 PM

Netherlands

1407.5 lbs. Sandbagger.

Way to go Brooks!

10/6/2007 5:23:34 PM

South Finland [email protected]

It seems that didnt drop that bad, congrats Brooks!

10/6/2007 5:38:55 PM

Minerva,ohio

Woah... way to go Brooks!! You are the man.
glad to see she held thru for you !!

10/6/2007 6:08:41 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Brooks I like your attitude. Make lemonade.

10/6/2007 6:17:25 PM

Belgium Europe

Who's your mentor Brooks?
Could the first letter of his name be 'G' ?
Congrats!

10/6/2007 6:25:17 PM

[email protected]

3/4" chain snapped??? Was it plastic, chinese or just old & rusty?

I'm sorry Brooks. Just remember that it takes nothing away fromthe grow itself. A DMG is not the same as a DQ in my book. Place a footnotr in the record book so that nothing is taken away from the genetic expressions. Grow the seeds to 1700 next year & all will be forgiven.

10/6/2007 6:40:57 PM

Rhode Island

have some cheese brooks

10/6/2007 7:49:37 PM

Ohio

woooooo wee! My Dad and I just cut the snout off the 1402 that I grew off the 1068 Wallace and the crack wasnt even close to entering the cavity, Im talking like 5 or 6 inches from going into the cavity, the snout and bottom off that 1068 Wallace looked like a big chunk of fat, I have never seen a blossom end that thick before, My pumpkin would have been a gonner if it wasnt for the blossom end being so thick. I want to thank all the judges that looked at it , around 7 I think, thanks for the good call on my pumpkin. It definatly was the right call now that I opened it. Ill post some pics in my diary as soon as I can.

I want to thank everyone alot!! that pumpkin went in taping at 1212 lbs, it went 200 lbs heavy,,, so no sand bagging here,LOL, never in my wildest dreams would I have thought it would have went that heavy, no wonder the chain broke? huh?lol

10/6/2007 9:56:55 PM

Ohio

Pap, you ever answer your phone?,lol

10/6/2007 9:59:06 PM

ohio

3/4" chain should lift 6,000 lbs, lifting ring must have weighted 4,592.5 lbs

10/6/2007 10:17:33 PM

Key West, FL

Congrats Brooks. Couldn't believe the weight when I saw it.

10/7/2007 1:50:38 PM

Arroyo Grande, CA,USA

you had a really great year congrats.

10/7/2007 11:37:26 PM

Midwest

wow Brooks ! what a drammatic finish! Nice job!
Greg

10/8/2007 2:17:58 PM