In the Patch...SNGPG Picnic/Patch Tour 8/28/2005


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On Sunday August 28th, 2005 the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers (SNGPG) held their first annual summer picnic and patch tour in Rhode Island. The hard working folks of the SNGPG put on a fantastic event! Two school buses were provided by the SNGPG to bring the over 100 guests around the state to see the pumpkin patches. There were four tour stops planned including Topsfield's 2004 Champion Steve Sperry, Joe Jutras, Fred Macari and Ron and Dick Wallace. A fifth tour stop was added so we could see the patch of John Nicholas (and his growing partner - Ron Wallace).
These Rhode Island guys have plenty of good pumpkins going. I would not be surprised to see them at the top of the list at both the Topsfield and Frerichs Farm weighoffs. Please check out the photos below.
The patch tour went from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. When we got back everybody was starving! The food was prepared by Ron Wallace and his staff and it was second to none! We chowed down on grilled half chickens, New England clam chowder, chili, burgers, hotdogs, sauage and peppers, meatballs, salads, corn on the cob and watermelon. These folks really did a fine job. Thanks for such a wonderful day.
After dinner it as time for the raffle. The SNGPG were raffling off a $525 Stihl Mist Blower! The winners of the raffle were: Mist Blower - Albina Flores Tea Brewer - Matt Winey Giant Pumpkin Books - Kevin Companion 5gallons of Fish - Steve Davies Liquor Basket - Dave Hampton (Dave donated this back to be raffled in Oct.)

Topsfield 2004 Champion - Steve Sperry	1253 Sperry x 1068 Wallace	Steve Sperry Pumpkin on the 1420 LaRue	1420 LaRue x 1253 Sperry	The Patch of Joe Jutras
Joe Jutras with his 842 Eaton x 801 Stelts	842 Eaton x 801 Stelts Second Angle	Chart for Joe Jutras' 842 Eaton x 801 Stelts	High-tech Stump Guard	Joe Jutras' 1068 Wallace x 842 Eaton
Chart for Joe Jutras' 1068 Wallace x 842 Eaton	Stem-end of Joe Jutras' 1068 Wallace x 842 Eaton	Joe Jutras' Water Tanks	Water Pump	Patch of Joe Jutras in Rhode Island
Ron and Dick Wallace's 1253 Sperry x 1068 Wallace	Beanbag chair or 1068 Wallace?	Impressive Stump	Ron and Dick Wallace's 500 Wallace x 919 Wallace	Chart for 500 Wallace x 919 Wallace
Ron and Dick Wallace's 1068 Wallace x 1420 LaRue	Stem-end of the 1068 Wallace x 1420 LaRue	Ron and Dick Wallace's 1420 LaRue x 1253 Sperry	Alan Reynolds and his Hummer	Fred Macari and one of his 1173 Macari pumpkins
Pumpkin on the 1173 Macari	Side-view of 1173 Macari	Fred Macari's Watering System	Secret Brew?	Adventures in Extreme Pruning
Fred Macari's 1068 Wallace Plant	Fred Macari's pumpkin on the 500 Wallace	Side-view of Fred Macari's pumpkin on the 500 Wallace	Blossom-end pumpkin on the 1173 Macari	John Nicholas' pumpkin on the 500 Wallace
Stem Split Healed Over	John Nicholas' pumpkin on the 919 Wallace	John Nicholas with pumpkin on the 1068 Wallace	John Nicholas' pumpkin on the 961 Wallace	John Nicholas' pumpkin on the 1068 Wallace
Blossom-end of pumpkin on the 1068 Wallace	President and Chef Wallace	We have a Winner!