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Ga.

State records,,,WOW,,,what a topic..Was really sorry FatBack weighed light.... But Fatback has raised a question...Seems 3 people had a problem with me and Brian having our weigh off!! Mike N. was sweating,,Bob A. seemed to have a problem with it also according to Bill Van...Now,,Bill lives in Canada,,so whats the worry to him?He has a problem with a state record being set thats not at a weigh off.He said in a email to me and Brian that Mike and Bob have a problem with it too.. I understand a weigh off is about fellowship,,meeting other growers,,and most of all having fun...In my opinion,,a pumpkin which weighs more than a state record should be a state record whether its at a weigh off or not..No rule book which says it has to be at a weigh off...No way possible that I can grow a pkin in mid summer to compete in a weigh off,,,way to hot...North Ga. may be hot,,but not like here...
Bill also said that I have led new growers astray...If I have led any of you new growers in the wrong direction,,"I'm Sorry",,I just think Bill is blowing steam...I would like everyones opinion on the state record (not just Georgia's,,,all states) subject,,,you might be the next one to have a potential record....One last thing,,If some of you,,or for that matter,,all of you think I'm a pest,,or you want me gone from here in Big Pumpkins,,,just post your thoughts here,,I'll go in peace if thats what ya'll decide...

7/20/2002 10:32:24 AM

Myrtle Creek, Oregon

Hey Jeff, Let the winers wine!
Did yuh grow your pumpkin to impress others or did you do it for the enjoyment of watching YOUR pumpkin grow?
If you and your friends want to have your own weigh off then why not sounds like a fun way to get to know the growers in your area, and if it is a documented weight and it beats the state record what the hec then it should be the state record.
And if growing pumpkins puts a smile on your face who cares if others frown. Just growem huge and keep smilein!!
H-K-J <;-)

7/20/2002 10:58:12 AM

prairie du sac wi

I dont think any of us think your a pest or whant you gone,
thairs no reason why we whould.I seems to my that your only try to expand this sport.Maybe by next year you and others could put together an early season offical weighoff???
screw what they think!!!

7/20/2002 11:53:33 AM

Eureka, Ca

Wow,amazing.Even pumpkin growing is political.

7/20/2002 11:56:40 AM

canal winchester ohio

Hey Jeff,
Take it from someone that has been in the middle of a "few" disagreements on this site. The person who you might be at odds with today, you'll be joking with in November.
Hang around & talk us later growers through our "mini traumas" that will soon be upon all of us, stem splits,blossom splits,rodents & the like. If you grew your pumpkin for the same reason most of us did ( personal satisfaction) then I think you had a very good year. And I bet you & pappy had a blast weighing them.
Roll with it Hoss, it's all good.............Paul

7/20/2002 11:56:47 AM

Knopp, Germany

my 2 cents....a state record should not only count if it is at a weigh off. you and pappy did everything possible to get that un-biased look at your weigh-off, should be enuf! i don't know you from Adam, but it doesn't matter what others think. your diary entries, pictures and humor lead me to believe that you are a good guy, having fun growing pumpkins, helping newbies, participating in transcripts with the heavy hitters, giving something to this website that ALL of us would miss if you were not here. again, only my 2 cents, and this may be gready on my part, PLEASE HANG AROUND. i'm sure that i am not alone. hell, tell whoever it is to kiss your, oh i didn't mean to go there.LOL

thanks for everything jeff!!!

7/20/2002 12:20:14 PM

Stratham NH

Excellent attitude Paul! Bernie L.

7/20/2002 12:22:10 PM

Pumpkintown, SC

Although I didn't see the email complaints, I think I can understand there concern. The vast majority of competitive growers have a specific "window of opportunity" on there planting time, pollination and day of cutting it off the vine, etc, all pertaining to the weighoff date. Not having these constraints placed on your growing regimen would in some instances give you an advantage. For instance, a six segment female that pollinated later in the season with perfect vine position and a more rapid growth rate, "you" would be able to grow out where the others may not have that specific opportunity based on the fact that they may not have enough time before the weighoff date to fatten it up enough. In short, you might have a greater margin for opportunity, not having a specific weighoff date to work towards or, to constrain you.
Now that I have voiced what I think may be some of "their" opinions let me voice my own. To heck with them. I grow in SC where there is no system in place for the official weighing and recording of any giant vegetables etc. This hasn't stopped me from enjoying this sport and growing them big. And, based on the fun and interesting dialog I see from you guys it hasn't stopped you - nor should it! If you grew it and it was officially weighed, whatever "official" is in your state, and it out weighs the current record, you got it, done deal. Plus, Mike N. probably has that same opportunity you have to get his officially weighed at his discretion. So, no problem! As far as wanting you gone? Big Pumpkins would lose alot of it's fun from you guys if you left. Stay put!

7/20/2002 12:27:43 PM

Canton,Mass

As long as the scale is certified by the local Dept. of Weights and Measures ,who cares where it's located?I wonder what the Guiness Book has to say about this?

7/20/2002 1:09:05 PM

North Ga

Let me voice my opinion. I grew Fatback and other nice pumpkins for the pure enjoyment of it. Nothing more nothing less. Not just by being in my patch taking care of it, but by coming to this site and sharing with others that furnish me with invaluable information. This is too fun to be politisized

7/20/2002 1:42:12 PM

North Ga

If that is a word. The scales Jeff and I took our fruit to supplys the dept. of weights and measures in Ga. with their scales. I have pics of the calibration system they used. Anyway if Fatback would have weighed 593# I would (In my mind) have the new state record. I'm not all that familiar with GPC Rules and at this point they don't concern me. I'm just having a great time growing them bigger and better.
Brian

7/20/2002 1:47:34 PM

North Ga

I hope ya'll "grow a bigun" and have the same fun at your weigh-off that Jeff and I had at ours!!! LOL. We will be watching and hoping for your best luck.

7/20/2002 1:51:03 PM

williamstown

people like you and pappy make this web site the best.keep up the good work.

7/20/2002 2:39:47 PM

Rexburg, Idaho ([email protected] )

In my opinion you've got a new state record!
As long as the pumpkin was sound, weighed on certified scales and you had several witnesses then in my opinion its "official". I've had people disagree with my state record on the same grounds two years ago.
What is so sacred about an weighoff anyway. Many are not sponsored by anyone other than the local fair board or local nursery, why should a pumpkin brought to something as informal as that be considered "official".
Congratulations.

7/20/2002 3:58:15 PM

Cologne / Germany

Yes, congrats to you!
I once went into a local supermarket in mid September and asked for spareribs and they told me: "sorry, the bbq season is over" and I asked "do you know it´s 80 deg outside and I´m still harvesting tomatoes" but they didn´t even understand what I was trying to say.
Don´t bother, it´s YOUR RECORD anyway!

7/20/2002 4:07:07 PM

Deer Park WA

Pappy & Jeff, you fellas went through the same trials and tribulations any other grower has to face. I don't care if you grow one in Antartica in January in 100 below zero weather, the fact of the mater is you brought sound specimins to a certified scale with an agricultural wittnes and therefore in my opion it is official! Congradulations to you both an awesome season!!!

7/20/2002 4:39:41 PM

ft. smith,arkansas

Hey Jeff & Pappy
I cant beleive ya got negative email response from these
guys.Totally ridiculous!It's great to have some southern growers that can grow'em big.Hopefully they'll get a life and the next go round you will grow even bigger ones.There's no need to apologize to anybody.

7/20/2002 4:49:04 PM

Indiana

State records have nothing to do with pumpkin contests, they are just a measure of the potential within the state. I see the concern of the others, but MY OPINION is that it is a really stupid complaint. State records have never had time constraints, why should they now? Hell, with continental drift and all, sometime we could be growing pumpkins in January too......then none of our records would count anymore,

Just my one cent, lost the other one along the way....damn where did it go....
Tom Beachy

7/20/2002 5:06:05 PM

stock market

7/20/2002 5:19:34 PM

Ga.

ok,,Let me say this,,,,Bob A. and Mike N didnt email us....Bill Van "said".....We didnt actually hear nothing from them...Personally,,I have nothing againest Bob and Mike,,have never met them...Sorry if I misconscrewed that!!!

7/20/2002 5:23:55 PM

Kuna, Id.

Thats such a load of fert. I dont have the time to drive to another state to go to a weigh off. If I get something worth weighing I'll weigh it on a certified scale and let the B*#~&n start. These are for fun and maybe a record..no big $$$$$$$$$$$$ here in Idaho, NO weigh offs, Three growers that I no of. Heck I weighed mine on my race car scales last year. I have them Checked by Weights and measures once a yr. Good enough for me.Congrates to you both. I'll mark down your new state record so we all will no what you have to beat next yr. Send those boys a case of snot paper so the can dry there eyes. Better yet ifin you see one just dot his eye.
Ken

7/20/2002 5:27:21 PM

Loganville, GA

A pumpkin is a pumpkin is a pumpkin! You might not have gotten a new "GPC" record, but, you'd have IMO had a state record, especially if we can find the "keeper" of such records. Pappy, you may prove later this year (based on your diary entry*) that we, in GA, or the South, in particular have been timing it wrong anyway. Heck we're still trying to bust 600# - that's a long way from 1262! Go for, I'm with ya man!
* I guess I need to hook up the tiller???

Perhaps the keepers of this site will setup an "Official Unofficial State Record" page?

And, Owen, yes Pappy (and Jeff) and both good guys... ofcourse, I may be an a-hole...

7/20/2002 5:56:23 PM

Mid Michigan

Hey Jeff-n-Pappy.........if you 2 leave this web site, i'll pick Kilr up on my way down, and we'll have to kick yer butts and make you come back!!
Cuzbiker!

7/20/2002 6:06:27 PM

North Ga

Oh no Cuz!!! Not another Civil War!!! We're holding the kick-off for Harley-Davidsons' 100 year anniversary down here this weekend and I'm sure a lot of Southern Boys are here!!! LMAO!!! I love you all and all you stand for!!!

7/20/2002 6:15:49 PM

Roanoke Il

you did great Brian sorry to hear that it went light. One has to grow pumpkins for ones self like you mentioned earlier even if one would win 10,000 dollars it wouldn't even come close to the time and money one has in growing these monsters. you are the man. 537 great job. mark

7/20/2002 8:12:42 PM

Joliet, IL

jeff, you and pappy are the reason i actually posted a diary.

you both have helped me "big" on bigpumpkins.com...
...pun INtended. i meant that damn pun.

seriously, by you both having an advanced growing season, you have inspired me along the way and helped with
detailed knowledge and pictures that a first time grower
like myself found priceless.

i hope my mean green squash corkum 857, alias..
"the green machine", gets big and fat like pappy's fatback.
its at the same pace of fatbacks chart which also came in handy.

jeff do what you do for you...and the rest of them can "rot"
in hell... another bad pun.

the biggest pumpkin, weigh-off or not, is still the biggest
grown in that state ever officially weighed.

stay for the ride jeff...grow em big

7/20/2002 8:21:24 PM

Long Island,New York

LOL...Pumpkin politics at it's finest ! Not being one to shy away from controversy here's my opinion ..... .. calibrated/certified scale, "official witness", sound fruit, if its bigger than the biggest one prior its a state record no matter what date its weighed. As you mentioned Jeff...you didn't hear from Bob or Mike.....you heard "hearsay" from someone else totally unconnected to the situation. Take that for what its worth (aint worth diddly in my opinion).The GPC is just one "pumpkin" organization...and why should Georgia have to grow within the calendral confines of the Canadian growing season anyway? Last I heard Tim Caniff still has the Florida state record....and I know THAT wasn't weighed on the first Sat in October. Congratz on the 537 pappy....congratz on the 378 Jeff....great job......Glenn A.

7/20/2002 8:55:31 PM

Farmington, Utah

What about folks who take their pumpkins to fairs in late August early Sept. I'm sure the state recognizes those. Hey, you guys were what I looked forward to reading on BP everyday when I could. You growing other pumpkins besides the ones you already weighed. I hope so. Keep the posts coming, and keep the friendly compitition up. It's been lots of fun with this from begining to end. Congrats to the both of you. Kenny Blair

7/20/2002 9:36:09 PM

North Ga

I have to direct this post to Glenn. Thank's alot for your seed and support G. You are an inspiration to a lot of folks on this site and others. I salute you for the dedication and concern you have for this sport. If anybody else takes your opinion as heavy as I do then I believe they will grow a monster. Thanks for all your help!!!
Brian

7/20/2002 10:55:25 PM

Kansas

Watering your patch for the season= $189.00
Spraying for pest in your patch= $125.00
Fertilizing your prized pumpkin patch= $300.00 +
Pappy and Jeff on bigpumpkins web site= Priceless.....

You two keep up the good work, and i'll send some cheese for the "wine" that Bob and Mike have...lol....Shawn.

7/21/2002 12:29:20 AM

Okla

Congrads Pappy and Jeff. I hope to do half as good...lol
As far as Bob and Mike I have not heard them say anything about what has occurred and we should wait until someone actually hears them say anything before we go to commenting about it. As far as I can tell only one person (Bill) has actually said they said,, as Jeff has already stated in an above post. I am thankful to everyone that grows pumpkins that help us all and that includeds Mike and Bob because they have done a lot to help me and I hope everyone else. Maybe I am wrong for posting this but thats how I feel. I hope everyone grows a GIANT Pumpkin.
Thomas in Oklahoma
With no personel best yet,, but hoping..

7/21/2002 12:48:35 AM

Okla

Pappy on second thought about your new personel best,,, look out I am after your record..LOL
Thomas

7/21/2002 12:50:00 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

What is this! I go away a couple of days on vacation and you guys do the nasty thing of weighing your pumpkins! HMMM!
and start a controversey to boot! I can't leave ya two alone for a couple of minutes and right away TROUBLE!!! Hey if you were bass fishing and caught a big ole bass and brought it in for official recording do they ask you if ya caught it in a sanctioned BASS contest NO WAY! If some growers want to enter a contest and they know the date and want to risk a state record for a few measley bucks let em go to the contest...If they could let it grow a few more weeks and get the state, national or world record they should do that. Oh and by the weigh Was that Bass caught the first week of October!
Guys You've been weigh too much fun, went out of your weigh to get a legitimate scale don't let anybody take away from your personal satisfaction and enjoyment of your accomplishments I'll kid with you guys forever, stay on the line, Again I thank you both for sharing your season with all of us! Hey GROW EM BIG!!!! Chuck

7/21/2002 1:33:15 AM

porterville, calif.

Pappy And Jeff you both did a amaising job with your Pumpkins. Just keep doing what you are doing. You both are really a big help to all of us. Your pics, and diaries have had me coming here every day just to see what I can learn to make myself better at this sport, or hobby. Like in everything you do there will be a few whiners. I say let them whine!! BigPumpkins has alot of great people here. It would be a great loss to all of us if you were to leave..Greg

7/21/2002 3:44:08 AM

Yreka, CA

Ok, I'm brand-new at this, but I thought that the only reason to go to a weigh-off was to collect whatever prize money they were giving out if you won! If only weigh-off results were official, then the state record would be as much a matter of luck with timing as actual weight, right? So that the grower who grew the heaviest pumpking that happened to be ripe at the right time would win, not necessarilly the heaviest one of the year. Just my newly-minted two cents. PVZ

7/21/2002 3:54:53 AM

Western Pa.

I don't think "sour grapes" belongs on a Big pumpkins website! Keep up the great work guys, and congratulations!

kilr

7/21/2002 4:42:49 AM

Mid Michigan

Hey Kilr.....sounds like Jeff-n-Pappy are gonna stay on the site, so we dont have to go down there to beat them up!
Cuzbiker

7/21/2002 6:03:18 AM

Ga.

All of you make Big Pumpkins a great place!! I Thank all who have helped me thru my growing season..I have had a BLAST!! G,,I'd like to Thank you also,,with out you,,my 378 would have been more like oooze,,,and with out your 455 seed,,no 378..THANKS GLENN. I had problems this year,,but Baby G recovered with all of your help..I wouldnt have missed this season for the world!! Thanks everybody!! To be continued,,,same pkin time,,same pkin channel!

7/21/2002 10:05:11 AM

virginia

Good job guys......Greg

7/21/2002 10:28:10 AM

Sask, Canada

Well I was going to say something to get the site in an uproar as a joke but I think I'll just keep it clean to keep from getting linched.

Ye Ha! Pappy, Congrats on your new state record.

For my 3 cents, next year me and another buddy will be hosting the first ever South Saskchewan Pumpkin Weigh-off
in Moose Jaw at Pumpkinfest '03 and not affiliated with any one like GPC, we will have certified scales, and three judges one from gov. ag and probably an mla or gov rep. we will be holding it the last week of Sept. that way I can go to Smoky Lake and drink beers with Darby and Smitty. and any one else that wants to come here can still make their local weigh-off the first weekend in Oct. I won't be entering the same pumpkin at both places but if I weigh a provincial record, currently around 653#, it's mine regardless if any one else shows up to weigh-off. What you guys did was right so congrats again.

Ps. Since I kept it clean, can I get some of fatbacks offsprings Pappy.

TTYL
Ernie
Giant Veggies

7/21/2002 2:24:21 PM

Indiana

Ernie,
You found my other cent!!!!!!!! (see the 18th post on this thread)....Thanks buddy, I knew it was somewhere. I will be expecting it back soon...........American of course......LOL

Tom Beachy

7/21/2002 3:20:46 PM

Cologne / Germany

"If your official weigh-off is not with you, be with the weigh-off you´re official with.."
Hard to remember that from school, but could you say it like this? Please correct me if not.

7/21/2002 5:33:13 PM

Stony Plain, Alberta (near Edmonton)

Way to go Pappy!!!! Fatback rules!!! King of the patch in Georgia!!!

Dave

7/21/2002 6:45:52 PM

Liverpool , England

Yo Jeff...Brian,
The Guiness book of records requires that the scales are certified and that there is also somebody to judge that the fruit is in a sound condition besides yourself. Also that it is in front of at least 3 witnesses I think. I know because I and a couple of others were asked to sign the form for the Guiness book of records for the present UK pumpkin record a few years back. It also helps to have a photgraph of the event and a copy of the scales certificate. So sorry it weighed light....but then there is always next year.


Alun

7/21/2002 8:01:51 PM

Hey: Guy's, I'm sorry , my private e-mail caused a uproar,
no, pun intended, just curious as to how a indivudal could claim a state record with out a window of time involved, I realize we have different growing seasons due to climate & therefore thought, a date, whatever it may be was part of the rules. Guess I was wrong & amit it. Sorry to all. Bill

7/21/2002 8:03:59 PM

Liverpool , England

Yo Bill,
I know that the Guiness book is printed in many different Countries and in each edition it shows the world record and also the record for that country. So over here in the UK it shows the world record and also the UK record. But I would think that in the USA and Canada editions it would only show the biggest grown in that Country and not every individual state or province. So Brian I'm afraid you would have grow a 1265lber to get your face in it.



Alun

7/21/2002 8:41:09 PM

Cairo, Georgia

My turn....All I have to say is, these two guys worked thier rears off for the SPORT of it. Who knew what was going to happen! I watched Jeff352 spend alot of time with Baby G and he loved every minute of it. The sport poppy,,, not always to be the best, just to try to be the best...why ruin someones 15 minutes of fame...he was not competing for the world record, you'd of done the same. Ever had something that was so close and POOF....it was gone. That's what you did, took away the faith...Jeff & Brian,,,love ya guys, you're the best....I even learned something this year! No one can take away what you did! GREAT JOB!

7/22/2002 1:24:20 AM

North Ga

Thanks Ally, Just trying to grow the biggest fruit I can under such crappy conditions. Maybe when my wife retires we'll move to Prince Edward Island and I can compete with you Bill!! LOL!!! Grow a bigin'!!!

7/22/2002 7:47:28 AM

Cairo, Georgia

I have talked with Bob A. by email..He didnt say anything about Brians attempt at record,,nor any of the other things Bill accused him of...Just needed to clear this up..

7/22/2002 5:26:29 PM

Ga.

I did it again,,,I talked to Bob,,not Ally....SSorry..Also,,one more thing,,Brian had nothing to do with this thread being started..I took this on myself to do...Actually,,Brian took his pkin being light better than I did..He's one hell of a man..

7/22/2002 6:34:01 PM

North Ga

Hey Buddy. Fatback didn't weigh light. She weighed 537#S!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!

7/22/2002 10:44:22 PM

Ga.

:)

7/22/2002 10:52:16 PM

Okla

Hey Brian,
Just wondering where you are with your new patch and what you are going to plant.
Thomas

7/23/2002 2:01:55 AM