From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Rhode Island

Friends and fellow Growers,

Another season has begun. Dreams of a new personal best or a chance to grab a blue ribbon reward abound.

My journey into this giant pumpkin conquest some thirty five years ago was an adventure into itself. No internet , no quide lines, just a phone number or two and an occasional word of advise (if you were lucky) Staring out really was just starting out.

Fast forward to today and you have everything at your disposal for immediate success, As well it should be.
"We have come a long way baby" as the saying goes. Best of everything including seeds and how to are available to everyone

I was very fortunate to have met and made some life long friends because of this hobby. Hell i even got to manage a charity event yearly for over twenty years because of loyal friends in the hobby. THANK YOU SO MUCH ONE AND ALL FOR MAKING THE ORANGE ANGELS FOUNDATION - COATS FOR KIDS SUCH A SUCCESS.

At eighty i no longer grow but enjoy seeing my son and friends continue this amazing life altering hobby.
My best of everything to all growers new and old and, if i can leave you with one thought it is this ---- Never give up on your dreams. Success will come at different times for all of us, So shall yours.

Dick "Pap" Wallace

4/4/2022 10:26:21 AM

Alaska

Amen!

4/4/2022 12:26:13 PM

Salem, Ohio USA

Pap- Good thoughts! Al Gibson

4/4/2022 12:41:53 PM

Washington State

Dick, thank you for being there throughout the years. We appreciate you very much

4/4/2022 1:31:14 PM

Westmoreland, KS

well said pap...you're getting me all fired up for the season!

4/4/2022 2:44:50 PM

Central NY

Ditto ditto and ditto…let’s go baby.

4/4/2022 4:28:30 PM

Nova Scotia

A great reality check Mr. Wallace, well said. Thinking back over so many years and how far and fast this hobby has grown is well...mind blowing! Growers such as yourself had the determination and hard work to do better which your family definitely demonstrated to inspire others. Oh by the way Pap, we Canadians strive for a red ribbon here. LOL. Don't ask me why our first place is red cause IDK. Cheers! Danny

4/4/2022 6:17:19 PM

Dundee Michigan

Thank you for the nice thoughts

4/4/2022 8:33:05 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Wise words as always Dick, you may not grow anymore, but it's encouraging that you're still dialed in. Funny that no matter how long you try to achieve your goals in this sport/ hobby, wise words from a wise person makes you believe anything is possible.

4/4/2022 9:36:57 PM

Parker, Co

Dick, we have met and made friends with a lot of great people in our many growing years, and you are certainly on that list. We appreciate all you have done for the pumpkin growing community and also for all the hours you put in for the orange angels foundation. Coincidentally or maybe it wasn't a coincidence I was wearing a 2007 coats for kids sponsor shirt when i read your post! Uncle Pete and cindi

4/5/2022 12:21:50 AM

Colorado

Paps you one of the good ones. A Ray of sunshine in this fun and crazy hobby.

4/5/2022 12:30:48 AM

Grittyville, WA

Well said.

4/5/2022 6:22:43 AM

Billerica,Massachusetts

well said Dick, i recall those days of little information as that's when i started

4/5/2022 7:50:34 AM

Massillon, Ohio

Thanks for being the "Pap" of our pumpkin community!!

4/5/2022 9:24:37 AM

Bethlehem CT

Pap, Thanks for sharing all your wisdom and encouragement over the years

4/5/2022 9:50:19 AM

Anchorage Alaska

Paps the best !!

4/6/2022 12:30:13 AM

NILES , CALIF

Pap 80 is the new 60 here in Calif you would still be considered a young 60 year old

4/6/2022 3:15:06 PM

Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

Well said Pap and thank you for all of your contributions to this great hobby.

4/6/2022 5:22:12 PM

Mt.Pleasant,Iowa

Dang Pap you bring tears to my eyes. I have been doing this crazy hobby since 2003 and thanks to you and Ron and many others back then really pushed this hobby forward. A big Thank You!

4/8/2022 12:03:49 PM

Puyallup, WA

Thank you, Paps, for your leadership. We are the same age, however, I'm giving it another try. There is nothing quite like growing AG pumpkins!

4/9/2022 9:16:39 PM

Ontario, Canada

Hey Pap. Time to sit back & relax with a cold beer. Enjoy the hobby from the sidelines. Thanks for all your work making this hobby into the sport it is today.

Also, thanks for all the help over the years. Your advise is always appreciated. Jane & I were proud long time supporters of the Orange Angel foundation. Seeds from the many OAF seed packs helped raise thousands of dollars for our local club through the yearly auctions & raffles. I'm sure many other clubs did the same. That was part of the beauty of the OAF concept.

Cheers,
Phil & Jane

4/19/2022 12:23:20 PM

Hopedale Ohio

Thank You

4/26/2022 3:50:05 PM