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Winsted Convoy Participates in Pumpkin Weigh-Off
By Bob Winn, Winsted
 | | This was the scene at Winn's Deli just before 10 a.m. on Saturday. These pumpkins were headed to the New Milford weigh-off, which was rained out the previous Saturday. |
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Five pickup trucks left Winsted on Saturday morning, October 13 bound for the New Milford giant pumpkin weigh-off. Their cargo consisted of seven giant pumpkins with a total weight of 1,500 pounds and ten excited children, who had to wait an extra week due to the rain-out on October 6. It was a beautiful day to take a 45-minute ride down Route 202, with the colorful leaves on the trees.
Lots of time and care are needed to grow a monster like an Atlantic Giant pumpkin. Six of these children had spent two days a week working in the garden at their grandmother's house since the beginning of May. Their fathers were enlisted to help with the tougher tasks, while Uncle Bob taught them many of the basic techniques. Grandma Winn was key to watering the plants during the dry spells. The rest are fortunate to have a garden in their own yard, which makes things easier.
As the convoy of pickup trucks from Winsted approached the green at New Milford, the children could see in the distance some monster pumpkins that were already unloaded. Now they were here, the first time for most, and with their own pumpkins to be weighed in at the contest! The MC, Wayne Hackney, was in an orange tuxedo and greeted everyone as they arrived with their pumpkins. All pumpkin growers are welcomed, young and old. They have come from as far away as Canada. There is no registration fee and only two categories—adult or child, one adult entry per family and one child entry per family. Several people can register the same pumpkin.
The weigh-off was to start at noon, which meant there was plenty of time to check out the several pumpkins in the 500- to 1,000-lb. range. At noon the children's weigh-off started. The volunteers and the forklift got busy moving pumpkins to the scale. One by one the pumpkins were weighed and the results were recorded. As each pumpkin was being weighed, its owner had a chance to talk about his experience growing the pumpkins. There was a lot of fun and laughter.
Children’s results: Dan Kruszyna, Jr.—540; Ryan and Shelby Winn—231; Chad Winn—224; Amber, Brooke and Brittany Winn—195; Trevor Winn—167; Gwen Murphy—166; Kyle Otto—141; Alex Slatter—105; Russ and Stacey Degrazia—26.
Adult results: West Dwelly—989; Ken Magdycz—646; Dan Kruszyna—597; Wayne Hackney—503; Brian Kitney—416; Frank Bidetti—371; Bob Winn—364; Brigitte Ruthman—263; Mike Winn—146.
Prize money was presented to most of the contestants by the sponsor, New Milford Farms. Most of the veteran growers were very willing to share information and seeds with the spectators and other contestants. The Winsted convoy vowed to return with bigger pumpkins next year and renew the friendships made that day. There were no losers that day, just a lot of cheering for the success the contestants had, along with the knowledge of what can be accomplished with some work and dedication.
The Winsted connection is planning and preparing for next season already. There is plenty of information available on the Internet and in books on how to grow these gentle giants. If you are growing these with young children, prepare them for bumps along the way—and hopefully have backups if something happens to a pumpkin. The Winsted connection lost three sizable pumpkins: a 150-lb. in mid-August; a 200-lb. in September; and a 200-lb. in early October.
If you just want to be a spectator, it is worth the trip just to see the fall foliage on Route 202. The weigh off is usually the first Saturday in October, but contact New Milford Parks and Recreation to see when the Women's Club has the green reserved for the pumpkin sale and weigh-off.
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