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Heat Slows Pumpkin Production

Photo provided by Susan Ray

St. Paul Youth group is helping manage St. Paul's Pumpkin Patch. Proceeds from the pumpkin patch go towards expenses for next month's National Catholic Youth Conference in Columbus, Ohio.

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By HAROLD VALENTINE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

CARROLLWOOD Despite recent summer-like heat, three pumpkin lots in Carrollwood are a colorful reminder that Halloween is nigh.

Bob Blagg, youth ministry director at Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave., said this year's heat has meant a 25 percent decrease in his pumpkin lot fundraiser, in its 15th year there.

The pumpkin lot, 600 strong, has pumpkins of all sizes, selling from $2 for small gourds to large pumpkins that put basketballs to shame at $35 to $40.

"We try to keep the cost down," Blagg said. "We're not in it to make this gigantic amount of money."
Also available at the lot are cornstalks and bales of hay.

Blagg said the pumpkin lot is a primary fundraiser for the youth ministry, usually earning $8,000 to $10,000. He said weather conditions farther north in the country have made for a smaller pumpkin harvest. His church gets pumpkins from Illinois.

"You can go around the Tampa Bay area and you'll see less pumpkin patches this year because the pumpkins are hard to get and the quality isn't the same as year's past," Blagg said.

At St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Highway, volunteers rotate the nearly 2,500 pumpkins on the ground to avoid bruising.

"We're always really careful to take care of them because of the heat and rain," said lot volunteer Micheal West.

She said this weekend is "crucial" for sales because the pumpkin sale ends Thursday, the same as at other lots. West said she doesn't know what may happen to the pumpkins that don't sell. "There will be plenty of material for pumpkin pie," she said.

St. Paul is raising money for the youth group's trip to Columbus, Ohio, in November for a National Catholic Youth Conference. West said 58 youths are attending, as well as some adults, and the cost is $800 each.

The church will use money from this year's pumpkin fundraiser, as well as last year's effort.
Pumpkins sell from $4 to $20, West said. The lot also has a handful of unusually-shaped gourds.

From 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, there will be holiday storytelling at the church, as well as pumpkin pie. Also there is a holiday set-up for pictures with children.

"Some of my favorite pictures are with my children in a pumpkin patch, trying to pick one out," said Maureen Sheridan, another St. Paul volunteer.

At Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry, a few hundred pumpkins sit in a lot, priced up to $30. Proceeds from the sales will benefit the school's athletic department.

Tina Destino, whose son played football at Gaither and graduated last year, said the lot's tent covering has helped maintain good condition of the pumpkins.

PUMPKIN LOTS IN CARROLLWOOD

WHERE: Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.; St. Paul Catholic Church, 12708 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.; Lake Magdalene United Methodist Church, 2902 W. Fletcher Ave.

TIMES: Lots are open throughout the day and evening

COSTS: Pumpkins at the lots range from $2 to $40, depending on size

BENEFITS: Profits at church lots benefit their youth groups; Gaither's sales benefit the school athletic department.

Reporter Harold Valentine can be reached at (813) 865-1526 or hvalentine@tampatrib.com.

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