A Pumpkin Race To Remember

To the Editor:

On Saturday, October 30, five shivering Lions huddled, trying to make a decision as to whether we would cancel our Great Pumpkin Race and hope for better weather on Sunday or whether to run with it and hope for the best. Hesitantly, we opted to give it a go. And so we did and it turn out well.

Because it began to flake fairly heavily about 11:45, we had to move up the events and hurry them a bit. First came the pumpkin decorating contest and there were some terrific specimens in all three categories: funniest, scariest, and most beautiful. All thanks to First Selectman Pat Llodra and John Reed, former superintendent of schools, who were the judges. Although the winners’ names were announced and prizes were awarded, because of the snow all the entry sheets got wet, so we don’t have any names to print here and honor for the decorating contest, the baking contest, and the pumpkin racing. Mother Nature will surely be kinder to us next year.

Then it was on to the baking contest. Judges Sharon Matoch, Aaron Cox, Sue Short, and Taylor Gallagher, Miss Teen Connecticut, licked their lips and munched! All reported that they came away stuffed with all the good tasting. Many thanks to them.

The snow was falling heavily by this time, but the races went on. In the youngest category, 8 and under, there were 16 entries, in the 9 to 14 there were 10, and fewer numbers in the older divisions. There had to be many run off heats. In the final heat where racers who had won their category competed, the ultimate winner was Gary Fillian.

Because of the weather three things that were supposed to happen, did not. At the time the Lathrop School of Dance was to entertain us, it was snowing heavily so the Lions got a rain check from them for next year. Also not available was the trebuchet, the medieval throwing devise constructed by parent Marc Michau and Newtown Middle School industrial arts teacher Don Ramsey. The trebuchet had really excited the crowd last year, so the Lions were disappointed when the weather was so bad that transporting the device proved impossible. The final group that did not participate was Katherine’s Kitchen. We had looked forward to some real taste treats from the Kitchen.

But the Newtown Savings Bank was there and in charge of the pumpkin treasure hunt, new this year. And there were many Leos, the Lions’ high school service club led by social studies teacher Suzanne Hurley. The Leos spearheaded the pumpkin bowling event, also new this year, as well as supervised the coloring of predesigned Halloween images that they had made, as well as performed other useful tasks. Many thanks to them as well as to Blue Jay Orchards who once again provided us with free cider and doughnuts. Steve Paproski who was very short of pumpkins this year due to too much rain, gallantly shared what pumpkins he had with us. Also, an added bonus this year was having the Newtown Lions Mustang Car Raffle conclude on our day. When the drawing was held it was found that Charles Green of St Charles, Ill., had won our beautiful blue classic Mustang.

Thanks must also be extended to Bob Schmidt, our consummate Lions master of ceremonies, as well as to the many Lions who supported the event. And, lastly, thanks Newtown for coming to the Great Pumpkin Race. We hope to see you next year in warmer weather and sunny skies!

Sincerely,

Ryan Storms

Gordon Williams

Co-Chairmen

32 Main Street, Newtown                                        November 7, 2011