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Monrovia, CA

I don't think my feet have touched the ground yet! My 'kin was the very last to be weighed at Paso Robles but it was worth the wait!! This fruit finished at 1376 and was grown off of Joel Holland's 1014 seed. We were blessed on Sunday as well, as the 1169 Jutras fruit weighed in at 861# and was enough to place first at the Pumpkinmania contest in Santa Ana, Ca.
The most memorable part of the weekend without a doubt though,was the people I met and had help from. My heartfelt thanks to Joel and Betty Lou Holland and Pete and Cindi Glasier for their support and advice. I have a pic of Joel and Pete measuring my pumpkin. Wow! Steve Peterson and his staff put on an exemplary show. I can't believe this was only the second year of their contest!Many, many thanks to all of them!!....and a very special note of gratitude to the Gregoire family. Daryl and Dana, thankyou for the impromptu lifting strap demo the day before...and for letting me borrow them to lift mine!! You are kindred spirits in my pumpkin world. Kevin Smith, you are awsome in your knowledge and support..I hope that you can make the trip up there next year.....and Stuart Shim has brought more people to pumpkin growing in Southern California than can be told. His Pumpkinmania contest is a hoot!!
There are some incredible people in this world of giant pumpkins...I only hope that I can in turn help some of them with their efforts some day!

Gratefully,
Michelle (Autumn Leaf)

10/22/2007 10:21:21 AM

Colorado

congradulations michelle. they dont get that big unless the grower does a great job!!

10/22/2007 10:37:02 AM

Massillon, Ohio

good job michelle!!!!!!!!!!!

10/22/2007 12:07:13 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Nice job!!

10/22/2007 12:13:47 PM

Menomonie, WI ([email protected])

Its all about Pumpkins and People..

10/22/2007 1:49:52 PM

[email protected]

Congrats Michelle! Way to go! Woo hoo!

10/22/2007 2:14:10 PM

[email protected]

Congrats Michelle! Way to go! Woo hoo!

10/22/2007 2:14:10 PM

No Place Special

WOW Congrats!

10/22/2007 3:01:32 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Michelle, Congratulations on such a great accomplishment!
It was fun to read your post - your enthusiasm is oozing right through the computer screen!!!

I believe your 1376 now holds the record of the largest pumpkin ever grown by a woman!!!!! Fantastic!!
GOoooo....Girl Power!!!!......Glenna

10/22/2007 3:19:04 PM

Ohio

Yea haw Michelle!! Way to go! Congrats!

10/22/2007 4:37:53 PM

Sparta, NC

Great Job Congrats

10/22/2007 5:41:29 PM

Great job Michelle !!!!

10/22/2007 7:25:13 PM

Mn

whats the cross on the 1014????????????????????????????????????

10/22/2007 8:07:53 PM

Malaysia

Yes, I agree, "there are some incredible people in this world of giant pumpkins".

10/22/2007 8:13:05 PM

Santa Cruz, CA

Congratulations Michelle! Hope to meet you some day. - Kristine and Riley

10/22/2007 9:28:02 PM

Minerva,ohio

Congrats!!!!
I'm with you, I've met lots of GREAT people I consider true friends and I have yet to meet many more through this great hobby! Maybe one day we'll even cross paths and have tales to share, Congrats!

Michelle V

10/22/2007 9:56:05 PM

Washington State

Congrats Michelle !! You really did a great job. I wonder if such a large pumpkin has ever been grown so far South as the L.A. area. Your enthusiasm and hard work allowed you to overcome very dificult growing conditions with temps at 110.F. To answer the question of MN Pumpkin Grower concerning the 1014. It was 1229-04 Holland x 1127 Holland

10/22/2007 10:42:49 PM

maine USA

Nice work Michelle!

10/22/2007 11:08:28 PM

Delaware, Ohio

Congrats!! Way to go! I know what you mean about all the people you meet here and through the weigh offs and clubs. Such great helpful people.
What ya gonna do for next year?
~Chriss

10/22/2007 11:40:46 PM

Simi valley, ca

Thanks michelle for letting us (me & family) come over to see your monster at your house,, also one of the coolest displays of pumpkin nic nacs iv seen! Iv got my 1014s for next yr, mostlikely one of my 3 plants for 08 , Congrats on 1376 -WOW !!!

10/23/2007 12:13:50 AM

Rhode Island

you meet the nicest people on the road to a weigh off
the pumpkins weight is almost secondary to the great people you meet.
thats why this hobby has grown in leaps and bounds over the last five or so years.
congratulations michelle
pap

10/23/2007 7:10:11 AM

Parker, Co

Michelle...you are a very gracious winner. i love your enthusiasm....it is contagious! i are glad to see a new face in the world of giant pumpkin growing. best of luck next year. we are looking forward to seeing you at the california weigh offs next season. cindi and pete

10/23/2007 10:10:29 AM

Iowa

Wtg!Nice weight's! :) Grow Em Big in! "2008"

10/23/2007 10:35:48 AM

Parker, Co

And i do think this is the biggest pumpkin grown by a woman.....ANYWHERE! anyone know of a bigger one grown by a woman? not me!!! cindi

10/23/2007 2:15:54 PM

Colo Springs CO

Women growers are a growing force in this sport once again! Very nice Michelle! Look out all you men... here we come! LOL !!!

Kim Sawtelle- Madman's wife

10/23/2007 2:30:01 PM

Washington State

I enjoyed meeting you at Paso Robles and seeing your great pumpkin. Love your enthusiasm too. Hopefully you are far away from the smoke, soot and ash and all is well. Congrats on Sunday's win also. What an amazing feat to grow 'em big in sunny Southern California! Mari Lou Holland

10/23/2007 3:47:04 PM

Monrovia, CA

VBG..... See what I mean? Just read through these posts...pumpkin people are the greatest!! Thankyou everyone for your kind words. Mari Lou, please forgive me for messing your name up in the above post. You are just as I remembered you 13 years ago...willing to give a hug at a moment's notice. Cindi, if only everyone realized all the ways you contribute to giant pumpkin growing!!
I wish I could meet ALL of you in person!! Maybe someday!
Best of luck in 2008!
Grow Em Big,
Michelle

10/23/2007 6:45:04 PM

(rocky) Bonney Lake Wa.

I was asking Joel if he had seen any more postings of your 1014 on BP after late August and he mentioned he hadn't seen any for awhile. Now I know why. WAY 2 Go!!!

10/26/2007 5:46:08 AM