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Team Munson

After an amazing day at THE OVGPG weigh-off at Parks Garden Center I wanted to see how the "rookies" are making out. At the weigh-off we had David Palkovich weigh a 1,278# monster good for 9 place at a very competative site. I would like to ask every one to post outstanding efforts for true first year growers on this post so we can find the GPC rookie of the year.
Thank You
Dave

10/6/2007 9:58:08 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

I would nominate Billy Burton from the Great Commonwealth of Kentucky. 1st Place at the first ever GPC weighoff in Ky. 1123#, and also had an exhibition pkn, at 1394#(?)...that close to 1.4K this far south is worth some consideration!!!! Peace, Wayne

10/7/2007 3:44:31 AM

Rhode Island

dave

mike parenty 1205.5 weighed at frerichs farm 10-6-07

this was mikes first pumpkin ever weighed in any competition

pap

10/7/2007 7:26:51 AM

Me.

I would like to nominate a new grower from Maine named Edwin Pierpont..This was Edwins first year growing Giant Pumpkins and I'm told he picked up a plant at the annual plant give-away held at Pinkhams plantation by Bill Clark,Buzz Pinkham,Tom Lishness and others..as the story goes he returned a week or so later for another plant as the first one died..then shows up at the Maine State Wiegh-off held at the Cumberland Fair with a 894 pounder taking second place..I know its not the biggest pumpkin grown by a newbie but this mans sheer determination deserves some credit..John Powers

10/7/2007 9:13:15 AM

Streator ,Illinois

al Kopp 1427 weighed at Didier Farms

Gene

10/7/2007 5:32:00 PM

Al Kopp for sure,,worked very hard and did what it took. Smashed the existing WI record,,

Dan Bowles

10/7/2007 5:52:11 PM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

I can see this one is gonna be a tough one to pick.

10/7/2007 9:35:56 PM

Mulino, Oregon

Thad Starr @ 1524 lbs! It's over, send it in!

10/9/2007 12:22:14 PM

President - GPC

Hey TheBiz grew one that was 757....not bad for a newbie that had a crazy old wizard for a mentor.......ehhh? .....lol But 1524 is pretty heavy.....

10/9/2007 12:51:08 PM

sevierville, Tn

Billy Burton of Kentucky also had a 1112 at Allardt, tn on Oct 6. So that makes 3 over 1000 (1394,1123,1112) for his rookie year in the hot dry south. Thats tough to do 1st year out !!

10/9/2007 1:57:42 PM

Somerset, Ky

billy burton

10/9/2007 4:21:33 PM

Aloha, Oregon

Go Thad Starr At 1524 lbs!!!!!!

Jordan

10/11/2007 10:25:16 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan (michiganpumpkins@sbcglobal.net)

Honorable mention to Chip DeLeeuw with his 1180 off 986 Platte, weighed at the Dundee site. It was 15% heavy. The 986 Platte is 1068x735Pukos.
Good going, Chip!!!

10/12/2007 7:21:02 AM

Coventry R.I.

mike parenty 1205lbs ,,,, plus he lost a 1150 pounder that,s 2355 lbs

10/12/2007 1:17:44 PM

Colo Springs CO

I'd like to nominate my wife...she grew a 916# monster her first time...not the biggest, but she almost beat me! Too bad we had to list it as exhibition, and there was an error and it's under my name...that was her baby all the way!

10/15/2007 9:25:23 AM

Georgia

Billy Burton.. First year out and he grew some massive pumpkins during some of the hottest weather and worst drought in a long time. Hes growing in 100 degree plus days and many of them. Billy B

10/15/2007 10:17:44 AM

Minnesota

I Vote For Thad Starr, 1524 Lbs, Heavy Hitters Would Be Proud Of That One.

10/15/2007 10:24:21 AM

Mt Vernon Ky

Billy Burton.what a year he had first year grower and help with on the first KENTUCKY WEIGH OFF to boot

10/15/2007 2:23:28 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Billy Burton, 1394 exh, 1123...first place at the first Ky. GPC event, and a couple more in the patch, that I would guess would weigh 800# or more...not bad from the hot, hot, hot, and dry,dry,dry,south...Go Billy!!!! It's gonna get hot, and HEAVY with competition in "KY in 08"!!! LOL Peace, Wayne

10/15/2007 6:36:00 PM

Paoli,in

Billy Burton with this drought wonderful job

10/15/2007 7:42:26 PM

addison Il

Al Kopp 1427 Hes the model of what growing giants is all about very nice grower and friends with anyone willing to talk pumpkin LOL.

10/15/2007 7:57:35 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Wasn't this Thad's Second year?

10/15/2007 8:38:16 PM

Key West, FL

Either way, I don't think HMB is a GPC event so Thad's pumpkin wouldn't be eligable for the title anyway.

10/15/2007 9:07:07 PM

Frankfort Ohio

What about Dan Kirts 1225.5 First year weighing in at a site and a 942, plus a 989 at Barnsfield

10/25/2007 7:29:24 AM

Michigan

Wow Billy Burton, I am truely impressed!!! Congrats on an amazing 1st season, you get my vote!!!

10/25/2007 10:40:59 AM

New Castle, Pa.

Dave Palkovich had a great first year, with a 1278 and a 855 at Canfield, also he had a 626 at Yankee Lake.

10/28/2007 7:43:11 PM

New Galilee, PA

I have to go with David Palkovich. He is a true rookie.

1278 his first year growing and first weighing. All done without the help from anyone showing him what to do.

When the pumpkin was tapping around 1000, I told him to get ahold of Dave Stelts (who lives down the road a few miles)for some advise, but Vader was stubborn and never asked, luckily nothing went wrong with it.
Mike

11/27/2007 8:15:06 PM

western PA

I'm not stubborn. i did end up emailing Stelts in the end to borrow his lifting ring .............

gotta get one of those for next year.

11/27/2007 9:23:12 PM

Jefferson, Ohio

good job vader! i was impressed with your pumpkin at brookfield , too. Best of luck, with the sophomore jinx! Jim R.

11/28/2007 6:29:52 PM

Georgia

I still gotta go with Billy Burton a state record his first year out and he grew in the south which is a whole different playing field. Growing in a extreme drought is no easy task. But good job to all

11/29/2007 8:49:37 AM

Boulder County Colorado USA planet Earth

Biz gets my vote, he had a lot to work against like WIZ I(just kidding )

11/29/2007 11:52:30 AM