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Rhode Island

Lots of GREAT PUMPKIN COMMONWEALTH hammering as of late regarding full disclosure ,financing , term limits, etc.

I find it odd that back in early days when a dozen or so clubs made up the gpc,no one was concerned about how things ran. We were happy to have a central organization with a equal opportunity set of rules to benefit fair competition and a growing love for our hobby.

Thanks to the likes of a dedicated staff under past president Dave Stelts we all enjoyed being part of an organization whos site entries rose to well over one hundred world wide, and still growing today i might add.

While there is always room for improvement i feel the gpc under present leadership has continued to move the GPC in a positive direction.
I agree some things may need changing,or to be brought back?, but certainly not because anything is done behind closed doors or for any one persons advantage.

The men and women who represent the gpc are hard working loyal and certainly not motivated by a possible free trip once a year.
To much time is spent for the good of the organization via meetings etc, for that to hold true.
remember - if you beat on a person long enough they just withdraw and give up. where would our hobby be without this GPC?

lets stop attacking them and start offering our thanks for their service. Volunteers are hard to come by. Lets try and tone down the attacking and in stead offer suggestions to our area reps . Thats what they are there for.

thanks
former treasure and gpc east coast rep
Dick pap wallace

3/1/2020 2:39:13 PM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Ahhh. The good old days. Hugh Wiberg, the first of many. Anyone remember lgourd? The GPC has grown from a small group of growers in Northeast USA and Canada to a world-wide group with many weigh-off sites over Canada, USA and Europe. Prizes got bigger and bigger. Pumpkins could be sold for a bundle. Money was being made selling growing products and seeds and whatever. The small convention held every year at Niagara Falls got moved and the ante went up. Ah, the good old days. It was a kinder gentler world. Ray Waterman was one of the first to recognize the economics of it all. Transparency is the only thing that will save it. Maybe pap will return and repair what damage, if any, has been done. Maybe pap can figure it out and we will hear the "rest of the story."

3/1/2020 4:06:16 PM

President - GPC

Let me get back from Vegas and I will address any concerns.

3/1/2020 4:08:45 PM

Cheshire Ma USA

Well Said gentlemen !!!

3/1/2020 4:38:50 PM

pap, Good to see you around lately. Does this mean you are coming out of retirement to grow again?

WiZZy , have a good relax first.

3/1/2020 4:44:07 PM

Torrance, Ca.

Words of wisdom!!

The convention was amazing and I stay as far away from all that secret stuff ( what ever it is as possible ) good times, good fun and lots of pumpkin talk.
I heard you weren't feeling well pap so heal quick and know us Southern California growers all love you!
You da man!

Chris

3/1/2020 5:48:44 PM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

thank you gpc reps for your time.

3/1/2020 9:01:16 PM

Colorado

Paps i sure missed you and ron at the convention.You guys are the best ambassadors of our hobby at least for me.

3/2/2020 12:30:04 AM

Upper Strasburg, PA

Well said, Pap. I think a part of the situation is that now there are so many growers who only know the GPC as something that has always been around and has always governed the whole hobby. It wasn’t always like that. 20 years ago, the WPC and IPA were also in the picture. There weren’t as many growers then and the growers who were competing were in hotspots like the Northeast/St. Lawrence, Ohio, and the Pacific Northwest. Nowadays, a lot of the GPC officials are strangers to most of the growers and they’re running this entity that has a lot of power and no rival. It makes sense that people in the present era might be less trustful. It is what it is, I guess...

3/2/2020 12:53:32 AM

Mission Viejo, CA

Love your wisdom Pap. Anytime you post it's always from a place of perspective...

3/3/2020 7:59:26 PM