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formerly RGG

I hope we have a banner year with auction seed sales and sponsors and the like and can get our prizes larger than ever for the coming season. I think large money prizes are probably the best way to attract new members into our organization.I believe the best way to draw big bucks from seed sales is to sell lots of great pumpkin seed lots since there seems to be a lot more interest and better prices from the proven pumpkin seeds than in watermelon seeds on this site. How are seed donations going guys ? I have plenty of seeds from my 228 Masterson 2012 to send you if you think they will help. Which committee member will we be sending our seed donations to ? Have we made appeals to the big time pumpkin growers for seeds ? What date did we get for our auction date ? Do we have prospects for any new sponsors next year ? I am really looking forward to getting off to a blazing start in 2012. Keep up the great work guys. You fellows have been doing a awesome job so far. GWG rocks !!!

11/4/2012 6:23:24 PM

Fenton, MI

Hey TD: This is rule number 7 in the GWG rules. This is in the GWG web site. The committee is working on all rest that you have broght up. It just time to get some set.

We also will take any seeds from members that had a melon over 200 pounds that may not have been it the top 20.

7.Top 20 places must donate 60 seeds from winning fruit to be used for club auctions and membership seed packs. Please allow adequate time to dry seeds (at least 3 weeks) and send seeds to Bill Edwards, 14401 Verona Road, Marshall, MI 49068. Please put 2 seeds per pack with genetics.

11/5/2012 1:18:23 AM

Muddy Waters

Is there going to be a live auction this year?No one was in the chat room sat nite?

11/5/2012 7:34:14 AM

formerly RGG

Marvin, I see we have a seed requirement for seed auctions and I am sure that is our best way to raise money. I am looking forward to our auction. When will the committee make an announcement about our upcoming auctions ? Are we working to obtain good pumpkin seeds and other giant vegetable seeds that will help to raise a good amount of money for our club ? Keep up the good work Marvin. :o) I will get my seeds in the mail to Bill once I find out when the auctions are going to be. They are well dried and ready to go.

11/5/2012 7:56:19 AM

Ontario

The committee decided to do a web board auction this year. Dates to still be decided. Thanks for all your efforts in gathering seeds, much appreciated!!

11/5/2012 8:04:32 AM

formerly RGG

Brian, that is fine but why aren't we doing both ? Aren't we trying to raise as much money as possible ? Live auctions are great I think. Sometimes bidders get caught up in a "bidding war" and high dollars are spent on great seeds. Most if not all other clubs on here are doing a live auction. Why did we decide to decline this great opportunity ? I am just curious as I fear our club will go into decline if we aren't actively promoting it in every way possible. Will we have to increase club dues to compensate for lost revenues from a live auction or do we have other plans to raise monies to fund our club ? Well I trust you guys and I am sure you are doing everything you can to make our club bigger and better than ever. I am sure we will be hearing great things from you club officers very soon.

11/5/2012 8:36:19 AM

Ontario

Hey Denis, if you or anyone else has questions regarding GWG decisions please send them directly to the committee members, email address's are on the GWG website. We are not going to have debates or these discussions on this message board. Thanks, Bryan

11/5/2012 8:48:22 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Hello, I can give you for your auction 5 of 245 Bartoli that grew the 307 and 326 WR also if it is not redognized,
I ask only a thing in change if possible, a year of GWG member for free for Mister Bartoli, also I can give some of 307 seeds

11/5/2012 12:14:25 PM

Corryton, TN

So as to not put the GWG in an awkward position, if you donate the seeds Sergio I will pay for Mr Bartoli's membership.

11/5/2012 1:33:23 PM

SW Ohio

You're a good guy brotherdave!

11/5/2012 1:46:58 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks Sergio and Dave. You are nice guys really helping out our club. Go GWG !!!!!!

11/5/2012 2:47:30 PM

formerly RGG

Thanks for telling me what I can do Bran.

11/5/2012 2:48:34 PM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Dave Thanks,higly regarded, just send me the address where I have to send the bubble, and seeds are your!!
I have a last question (just a question,) if Bartoli will be a GWG member will be recognized his record of 2012 or not? in case the answer is yes, Bartoli have to take the tropy of wr or his WR 326 will be delete, and the record rest the one of 291 Kent?
Mine is just a question I don't pretend nothing, but me and Bartoli just would like to know about this
Sorry for bad english
Thanks for the patience!

11/5/2012 4:46:30 PM

Muddy Waters

Wow! The club will loose a lot of money not having a live auction!

11/5/2012 4:59:28 PM

formerly RGG

Sergio,your English is fine and very understandable. I think these things are supposed to be discussed in private by the board members only. Once they decide to talk about it, they will one of these days make a decision. Then they will either email the answer to members only or post their decision on here or both.Maybe they will even be nice enough to email you and Gabriele. I would guess they may decide to talk about it late this year or next year sometime. Gabriele's world record is nothing that can be taken away from him. The GWG has recognized all past world records and maybe they will be smart enough to recognize Mr Bartoli's too. I think you and Gabriele Bartoli are the ones who are showing good patience. GWG committee, please forgive me for publically expressing my opinion again.

11/5/2012 7:06:15 PM

formerly RGG

Wow Mark, they say great minds think alike. :o) Oops,I made a (implied) comment about a GWG decision again.

11/5/2012 7:16:33 PM

Muddy Waters

I think this grafted thing could split the club.Thats ok then there will be 2 clubs.It's awl good!

11/5/2012 9:57:34 PM

Southeast Texas

free seeds for memberships...dammitt..why cant polotic's stay out of watermelon growing...pay your own dues if you wont to be a member are dont,its simple?

11/6/2012 5:52:47 AM

formerly RGG

Paul, it is very obvious the committee wants us to keep our mouths shut and not let our opinions be known to other members. I will never be like that. This is a free country and if I have a opinion I feel free to express it on here for everyone to read. I would be happy to express my opinion on the GWG web site instead but there is no way for us to do that. So until there is a better venue, I will express my opinion on here. I will always form my own opinion and it will be here for everyone to see. I love freedom and refuse to be shackled by committee members who would not like the opinion of anyone else known to non committee club members.Freedom rules !!

11/6/2012 7:55:55 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Paul if you post is for me, ok don't warry
No need any GWG member for free
If i have to pay for Bartoli i will pay!!!
I can take the seeds in my freezer !

11/6/2012 10:01:09 AM

Southeast Texas

you can have your opinion ,i gave you mine.sergio i have no idea what your talking about.i think marvin and the other guys aer doing a good job.

11/6/2012 10:41:31 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

If i read wrong i' m ready to say Sorry Pa

11/6/2012 11:06:20 AM

Cologne Brescia Italy

Paul

11/6/2012 11:07:49 AM

Piqua, Ohio

sergio
if I were you I'd keep those Bartoli seeds, they're worth much more than a GWG membership! Paul, how is it politics if Dave pays for someone's membership? He is just promoting the club!

11/6/2012 6:16:48 PM

Muddy Waters

If the GWGs decisions dont start looking better I will be keeping my membership money.Lets see how it pans out in the spring.Is anybody collecting seeds for auction?Looking for Sponsors??Where does the club plan on getting 2 grand?that will be lost by not having a live auction? .Wheres the seed giveaways they had last year to promote membership?Wheres any activity to attract new members.Silence will kill the club not advance it.Deeply concerned that Chris & my hard work is being destroyed.Why GUYS! we worked so hard to get this going

11/6/2012 8:15:45 PM

formerly RGG

You really don't expect a response do you Mark ? The club officers only want to talk in private. Actually, I think they don't want to talk at all other than suggesting that we shut up. But I think someone may tell you how immature they think you are or tell you they were about to join the club but will now not consider it due to the immaturity shown on this forum. Heck, I bet we have already lost about 200 members due to us speaking our minds. :o) Oh well..........

11/6/2012 8:30:29 PM

Linwood, NC

At least you knew which two I was directing that to.

11/6/2012 8:55:52 PM

Muddy Waters

Hey Brad you gotta problem?Mr. Mature!lol

11/6/2012 9:00:38 PM

Muddy Waters

No Dennis I dont expect an answer.There sleeping at the wheel.Sleepers dont react!

11/6/2012 9:02:34 PM

formerly RGG

lol

11/6/2012 9:15:23 PM

Fenton, MI

Mark and Dennis: I for one hope you keep your dues money!!!!! You two have been so help full that the club can only do better with out you. This is not from the GWG committee it is from Marvin Mitchell PS. I have taken all that i am going to take from you two.

11/6/2012 9:16:38 PM

Muddy Waters

Thats a good one Marvin.Your so out of touch with the world is not funny.Dennis & I have so much better grasp on how to run a club & what people want.I thought the club would be ok with others to keep you & Bill up with the times.(NO ALIVE AUCTION)You two will slow down the committe & simple minded decisions.I will move on to bigger & better things.I made decisions with out asking you guys because I knew it was fruitless any other way.You & Bill voted me out, not a committee.When I see the chance I will start a new club.till then enjoy the one I gave you.You guys would still be walking around saying I wish there was some melon money.Which way did he go!Which way did he go!LOL!Now its over goodbye!! LOL!

11/7/2012 6:32:23 AM

formerly RGG

Is that a threat Marvin ?

11/7/2012 7:32:41 AM

formerly RGG

I will pray for you Marvin.

11/7/2012 7:34:25 AM

formerly RGG

Shouldn't we keep this type of talk off the forum Marvin ?
865-332-0029 Please just call me if you want to make threats. I think we can talk this through in a calm manner.

11/7/2012 7:47:32 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Up until now, I haven't said a word, but as a club sponsor I feel it is my right and my obligation to chime in.
Before I start, this is in no way a reflection of my personal feeling towards anyone, nor is it a reflection of past grievance with anyone, so in short, there is no need for any drama or conspiracy theories.
That said:
Why is it that the same two members are always stirring the pot, and challenging the committee?
You don't give the committee a chance to move forward with any plan.
You state that "the committee wants us to keep our mouths shut and not let our opinions be known to other members."
Dennis, when have you ever heard of a board meeting that was public? Any successful company takes ideas and works them out internally before making them public.
You guys claim to want to do what’s in the best interest of the GWG, but you constantly belittle the committee and their ideas, how is this making it better?
If you knew the best route to take, there wouldn't have been a leadership change.
Is the name calling a display of how much better you would run the club?
Any business, or club needs a stable, level headed leader and committee, that leadership is in place as we stand, but from an outsiders view, all of the pot stirring has made many growers simply avoiding the melon board, the GWG and growing melons all together, your presence is detrimental to the hobby.

11/7/2012 10:43:00 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Dennis, are you serious about the comment from Marvin? Have you even taken a step back and re-read your posts.
Maybe the clubs goal isn't raising a ton of money, just maybe they want to keep growing fun, remember growing for the sake of growing?
I really don't know why you are so hung up on money? Has growing melons become all about the prize money for you?
Look at Team-Pumpkin, they do not collect any dues from members and yet they have a very large membership and the support they get is unreal, they offer more info and help than a lot of clubs and never have any problems.
You say that the committee won't reply to you posts...why should they? You have taken every post out of context and made it into a fight, a personal fight to try to disprove everything they do.
Have you ever had a child that cries and cries and cries, they tell you to ignore the child and he will eventually stop?
You guys may see your jabs and rants as a clever, and a way to show the majority what you think is the only way to do things, but trust me on this, I speak to literally hundreds of growers, and most try to ignore your posts hoping that they will end and we can move forward.
They are doing what a responsible committee should do, keep the dirty laundry private
Why not be part of the solution instead of root of the problem?

If you really think you can do better..then do it, no one is stopping you, this is the part that I don’t get…you are so dissatisfied with the GWG and the committee, but you still hang around?
Once again, there is no need to start screaming at me or calling me names, it simply doesn't matter, I've been on the other end of the tirades before.

11/7/2012 10:43:07 AM

Muddy Waters

My post above should be removed like Ken removed the rest.It's not fair to remove theres & not mine.

11/7/2012 5:39:03 PM

Muddy Waters

Oh Tom welcome back! we missed ya

11/7/2012 5:42:30 PM

formerly RGG

Hi Tom. Thanks for the response. I think Mark and I stand up to the committee because we care about the club and refuse to be intimidated by club officers. The committee has had lots of weeks and in some cases months to proceed with issues that need to be addressed. We are not holding the committee back in any way. In fact if they had moved forward with good plans for the club, Mark and I would have had little to talk about. Tom, did I ask that their board meetings be public ? I sure don't remember saying that. What I alluded to is that several times when I have voiced my opinion on here, a board member has emailed me and politely asked me to shut up.

I do not want to see this club fall apart due to inactivity. I have seen nothing forthcoming from it in months. They have been dragging their feet and can't seem to make a simple decision such as whether to put Gabriele Bartoli's name on a world record trophy that has the name of every previous world record holder on it. As a matter of fact Marvin had earlier indicated that in the future only world record holders who belonged to the club would have their name engraved on the trophy. This is obviously something that the entire committee is unable to agree upon and so there is no announcement so far. I suspect there are other areas where they are unable to agree. It is what it is.

11/7/2012 7:57:14 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, how can you assume that Mark being voted out of the club was the best route for the club to take. Mark had many great ideas for the progress of the club and other committee members were very resistant to them. Since you started a conversation about Mark being removed from the club I will give you my personal opinion about it.In my opinion this club would have been much better off if Bill and Marvin had been voted out instead of Mark. I mean I have nothing against either one of them, but I saw Mark as a progressive go getter.Mark got sponsors and was very helpful in assisting club members. Mark wanted to do nice things for other members and was prevented from doing so at every turn. Mark was told he could not use club money to pay for a bag of candy to put a piece in with the seed packet that was being mailed out to members. Mark saw Chris Kent going the extra mile for the club and was told the club would not spend a dime to do something nice to say thank you to Chris. Mark cares deeply about this club. His passion for it's success is why he has questioned the seeming inactivity he has been witnessing lately.

11/7/2012 8:12:39 PM

formerly RGG

I haven't seen any name calling Tom. I certainly apologize if I have done any. Please point this out to me. Tom, I am going to be here. Please get used to that. If I have something to say, then I will say it. If you think I am trying to ruin the club you are completely wrong. Decisions have been made that I disagree with and I am free to voice my opinion. I will try to stay respectful. But respect must be earned. I have lately been speaking out about the inertia I fear has been going on within the committee. I think it isn't right that the club goes on month after month without telling members anything more than they are working on a plan for this or that. You are right about all the turmoil on here turning potential new members away from our club. But my intent is to improve this club that I love.
Problems cannot be solved if they are not talked about. And I consider the lack of apparent activity by our committee to be a real problem. They need to communicate more with members in my opinion. I mean how difficult is it to take a vote and announce a decision ? Even commonly available information has not been announced. Mark tried very hard to get someone to publish a list of GWG prize winners for 2012.
It just seems really strange to me that a club which raises money to award prizes to promote the growing of giant watermelons, will not step forward and proudly announce who the winners are.

11/7/2012 8:35:06 PM

formerly RGG

Of course I disagree with you about my presence being detrimental to the hobby. Others think that grafting plants is detrimental to the hobby. I think the behavior (lack of action) of our club officers has been detrimental to our club. If it is your opinion that I am detrimental to the club for voicing my opinion, then so be it. I assure you my heart is in the right place and I have no vendetta against anyone.

11/7/2012 8:41:43 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, Marvin wants me to shut up and go away. It is my opinion that he wants to rule without question. Am I serious about being offended by the words " I have taken all that I am going to take from you two" ? Yes, I am seriously offended by those words. They have no place on this forum. Yes, I do find them threatening.

11/7/2012 8:47:30 PM

Muddy Waters

Thanks Dennis for the support.I received a few phone calls from others today supporting me.We have to choose our battles in life.This one isn't worth it.I will be moving on to bigger & better things.Let the old timers have there club.I will start a new one soon when the timing is right.

11/7/2012 8:50:49 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, no one grows pumpkins or watermelons for the money. We all know that. But please tell me how the committee has been making the club fun. They certainly shot down all of Mark's good ideas. They seldom come on here to give a grower tip or to praise a member. I don't think we grow for the sake of growing. I find it more like a weekly neighborhood bridge or canasta game. We do it for the friends we make and talk to and for feeling good whenever we win. I have talked about fund raising only because I see it as a way to grow our club. I think the club membership will suffer if we do not raise enough money to maintain the current level of prizes. I just want the membership to keep expanding. I believe if handled correctly we could increase the level of interest to come close to that of pumpkin growing. That is what I would really like to see. I fear we are not headed in that direction.

11/7/2012 8:59:30 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, do you think I want the dues to go up so I can put them in my pocket ? I find that just plain silly. I didn't even like it when our GWG dues went up to $25 and I said so on this forum. If I wanted more money, I would have to walk away from giant watermelon growing. I know I will never do anything but lose a lot of money by participating in this fun.
I am somewhat offended that you think it is all about money to me. I would be very happy if we had no club dues at all. I think there are better ways to raise monies for club prizes. And I totally agree with you that Team - Pumpkin has a great without the need for club dues.

11/7/2012 9:07:23 PM

virginia

Mark going to miss u alot on this forum. You had alot good ideas.

11/7/2012 9:10:38 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, what exactly have I taken out of context ? I just don't have a clue what you are talking about. As for "keeping the dirty laundry private", again I am in the dark ? What dirty laundry is there to keep private. Well I guess it would not be private if I knew about it. Perhaps you mean that disagreement is "dirty laundry". Well I find Marvin and Bill unwilling to agree to or even discuss any ideas that are not their own. And I believe this to be true even within the committee. Ask Chris Kent or Mark if I am wrong. Mark was kicked out because of his ideas to move our club forward. All he ever wanted was for his club to prosper. I think Chris may have had similar feelings when he stepped down.

11/7/2012 9:17:33 PM

formerly RGG

Tom, I will not scream at you. This is not a tirade. I stay in the club because I love the club. I want it to succeed. I think it is not moving forward properly. I simply seek to be heard. No hard feeling at all. I simply feel misunderstood.Take care.

11/7/2012 9:21:27 PM

Muddy Waters

John I'm not leaving this forum That would be Ken Ds decission

11/7/2012 9:40:25 PM

Long Island,New York

Go Tom Go !

11/8/2012 7:26:27 PM

formerly RGG

I don't think Tom will be back on this thread LI. His wishes have come true.

11/8/2012 7:29:25 PM

Muddy Waters

LOL Glen!

11/8/2012 9:01:19 PM

The North Coast

With all due respect to all the folks attempting to work hard to create an exciting and fun club, I am sorry for you. It appears that this is not working out as planned and it may be best to dissolve the club. Under the current state of the growing community the idea may be doomed. Regardless of the side of the fence you all are on, not one of you folks deserve the hassle that it has become. We all do really well growing fruits, growing clubs of highly diverse competitors not so much. While it may be a difficult decision, I'd just wash my hands of it and get back to growing. The goal of the club was to increase excitement, add new growers, and to be fun. I am just not sure if that is anywhere near obtainable, if it is it would be at great personal sacrifice. Good luck with your futures and may you all be blessed with big melons.

11/9/2012 10:05:58 AM

Muddy Waters

Well said Nathan!& so true

11/9/2012 7:22:56 PM

formerly RGG

Very well stated Nathan. But I think there is very little chance of that happening. Nor am I sure it is the best thing that can happen. I really have enjoyed the GWG club. And I wish it prosperity in the future. I know the disagreements have been a turnoff. And it has seemed to me to be moving in slow motion lately. But I believe sound decisions for the good of the club will be made and the club will continue on. It will be interesting though to see if Mark is able to launch the new club he wants to form. I think there is room for two competing clubs and I think top growers will want to belong to both clubs to maximize their growing experience. I hope wounds are able to heal and we are all able to grow our crops in harmony and return this site to information sharing and camaraderie as Ken D intended for it.

11/9/2012 9:51:36 PM

The North Coast

It all starts with us. These are nice folks and the leaders of the world in what they do. I just disappoints me to see them slogging through a quagmire. I truly hope they find good sponsorship and that this next season is good for them.

11/10/2012 7:28:31 AM

Muddy Waters

Yes we have taken all the fun out of it.Another club right now would be seen as vindictive & a waste of energy on my part & others.Let the dust settle & time will heal most wounds.I am sorry to have taken the fun out of growing for anybody in this fun exciting hobby.Back to growing is what I will do for now.Dont take this all to serious go grow a biggin!Just some bruised egos it will be fine.

11/10/2012 8:38:29 AM

formerly RGG

Amen Nathan.

11/10/2012 1:29:08 PM

Flowery Branch, Georgia

Glenn from LI:

Great to hear from you, I know you and your family have had a rough time with the weather and stuff.

I hope all is getting better.

11/12/2012 3:53:00 PM

Long Island,New York

Exactly Bob (thanks btw). Biggest problem for me is going to find sandbags for next season's growing...used them all up !

11/12/2012 4:51:43 PM

Germany / Brandenburg

hello,

i am searching for the nickname from bill adwards. is any one know his nick name or his e-mailadress?? if any one can help me please send a mail to

turijan@onlinehome.de

thanks for helping

2/7/2013 8:15:24 AM