Hi Folks, My apologies for not posting this earlier, I emailed the information to all the members but a few don't have email. The spring seminar is planned for April 5th in Breslau Ont. See the attached agenda for details. Some of the growers are coming on Friday night and we have dinner reservations at the Borealis Grille & Bar in Kitchener on Friday night (April 4th) at 6:00pm. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Hi Folks, I sent out an email to all members today with the revised contest rules attached. Here it is.....grow big and have fun in 2025!

Sad news to start the new year. Long time GVGO member Myrtle Lester has passed away. The GVGO extends our sincere condolences to Ernest, Heather and the rest of the family. Here is a link to the obituary: Myrtle Gertrude Lester Obituary (1946-2024) | Guelph, ON

Hi Folks, Now is a great time to purchase your 2025 membership. All renewals and new members who sign up before the end of Dec. will be included in an early bird draw for $100.00 cash. Don't delay you only have a few days left. If you want to mail a cheque please send to 111 Ontario Ave. Komoka, Ont. N0L 1R0. Otherwise pay by email transfer to gvgogrowers@gmail.com or PayPal through the links provided on the this website membership page. You can call or text me @ 519-871-1781 if you have any questions. Thanks all. Happy Holidays!

The leaves are turning and fall is in the air. That means it's time to hire the crane and lift those giants out of the garden in preparation for the various weigh off events coming up in the month of October. This weekend is the iconic Port Elgin Pumpkinfest Saturday and Sunday events. Here is a link to the prize structure and rules: https://www.pumpkinfest.org/giant-vegetables/2024-prize-structure-and-rules/ Good luck to all growers who attend Port Elgin, I hope to see you there. If you feel the need to wait and attend Woodbridge and/or Prince Edward County that's great. I'm going to try and attend these events as well but don't worry, I won't be hauling away any prize money :-) I'll post again before each of these events so make sure you plan display the fruits of your labour and show it off! Good Luck Everyone! Patrick (Pat) Watson aka TheFireGuy on GVGO site.

Good luck to the growers and organizers at the LBA Ribfest weigh off this weekend in Ormstown Quebec. May the fruit weigh heavy or measure long and may the entries come from far and wide. All the best of luck to the GVGO growers this season. Here is a link to the event this Saturday. The GPC sanctioned weigh off starts at 10:30am https://expoormstown.com/attractions/lba-fall-rib-festival/

Hello GVGO Members, Wow the summer is flying by, it's time to firm up the details of our planned patch tour and BBQ on Saturday August 24, 2024. First stop is John Butler's patch at approx. 9:00am. See lots of different things including pumpkins, squash, tall corn, sunflowers and more. 2nd Stop is Fred Hain's beautiful garden around 10:30am 3rd stop is Russ Landry's small but mighty patch. I hear he has lots crammed into a small space. 4th stop is at the Watson residence in Komoka. I can't promise massive pumpkins but the food should be good! See attachment for more details.  Please rsvp at least a week ahead of time so we can plan the correct amount of food. I'm thinking hamburgers, pan fried pickerel, bass and perch and bbq corn on the cob. We have a great sweet corn stand just down the road! This is a pot luck so attendees are asked to bring a small side dish or desert. Please note club members are more than welcome to bring guests to this event! We encourage this and look forward to seeing lots of people. Please note guests are asked to pay a $10 fee in order to help the club offset the costs of food and beverages. Members don't pay as this is part of your annual membership benefits. Kind Regards, Patrick (Pat) Watson President, Giant Vegetable Growers of Ontario Cell: 519-871-1781 Website: www.gvgo.ca

Lakefield College School is looking for a giant pumpkin to display at their fall fair to be held on Sept. 28. If you have something available please contact Chris Wallwork at cwallwork@lcs.on.ca Thanks, Pat

Hi Folks, I sent an email to all paid members a short time ago with the July 2024 GVGO Newsletter link attached. This is Kelsey Bryson's first edition as our Newsletter Editor. It's a not to be missed first edition! She did a fantastic job....please let me know if you did not get a copy. Email: gvgogrowers@gmail.com Thanks All, Patrick (Pat) Watson aka TheFireGuy GVGO President Cell/Text: 519-871-1781

Hello members. On Sunday May 5th I sent an email to all GVGO members and it has come to my attention a few have not received it. If you are a paid member and did not receive my email please email or text me and I will make sure you get the information. Email patkarenwatson@gmail.com or text: 519-871-1781 Thanks folks, have a nice day!

FYI all GVGO paid members! Don't miss out, the more you put into the club, the more you get out of it! This message below was posted on the GVGO Facebook page but not all growers use that platform, we want all members who are interested to attend and help make important decisions that affect the future of the GVGO organization we all love. Hope to see you soon! SATURDAY, APRIL 20, 2024 AT 8 AM – 3 PM GVGO Spring Seminar Details Solina Community Centre 905.263.2540 1964 Concession Rd. 6 Clarington, Ont. Duration: 7 hr Group  · Members of GVGO The 2024 GVGO spring seminar is an important event for paid GVGO members. Here is the agenda below and it can always be adjusted as needed. Please email gvgogrowers@gmail.com to confirm you will be attending at least 1 week prior to the event so we have the numbers for lunch. A new club president is being closen at this seminar so it is important for members to attend and vote. If you wish to be nominated for a position on the executive please email Kirk to let him know at the email address above. We need people to step up and help run the club. Kirk Chenier has decided to step down from the executive after many years of service. He has been growing since 2006 and spent more than 8 years on the executive with 6 years as President over 2 different terms. We have some big shoes to fill! Thank-you Kirk for your valuable contributions to the club! Here is the agenda: 8:00-9:15 Hall set up and registration. 9:15-9:20 Opening remarks and executive introductions. 9:20-10:30 Club business discussion and voting. 10:30-10:45 GPC presentation 10:45-11:00 break & finish registration 11:00-11:50 Master Grower & Hall of Fame Inductees and Grower of the Year presentations 11:50-12:00 PECGPG Presentation 12:00-1:00 Lunch 1:10-2:30 President and other executive nominations and voting 2:30-2:45 New President's Address 2:45 Raffle and Closing Remarks by New President Take down the hall. Could all members please help!

Happy New Year to all GVGO members. May your 2024 goals be set high and your results even higher. All the best folks.

Hi Folks, after battling the IT gods for a few weeks we finally have the new Facebook page up and running. If you are on Facebook you probably already received an invitation to join the group. If not please visit the page and request to join. Here is a link:(1) GVGO | Facebook

I am looking to purchase some growing products for 2021. Is anyone selling products locally or through the club this year?

Wishing all GVGO growers and their families a very Merry Christmas and Happy, Healthy New Year. I predict a one ton pumpkin will be weighed in Ontario in 2020......good luck everyone and all the best of luck next season! Pat, Karen, Amanda & Ben Watson Komoka, Ont.

Hi Folks, I was speaking to Steve Kustermans of Kusterman Berry Farms in Mount Brydges Ontario and he asked me to reach out to the GVGO members as he is interested in displaying a large pumpkin at the main entrance of his busy family fun farm this fall. I displayed one of my prettier 800lb pumpkins there a few years ago and it was a big hit with the visitors and is a good opportunity for GVGO club exposure. If you are interested in displaying your pumpkin there this fall please contact Steve to discuss the details. He can be reached through the Kusterman's Berry Farm website: https://www.kustermans.ca/ Cheers and good luck growing your giants this season.....hopefully it warms up a bit before fall arrives :-) Pat Watson Cell/Text: 519-871-1781

Once again, a top notch newsletter. Thanks to Brad and all the contributors. Awesome to see Kirk back in the saddle! Sorry to hear other key people have stepped back, well deserved and long overdue breaks needed I'm sure! Thanks for all of your hard work and contributions to the club. The Watson's

I didn't know the man but I know a lot of you did from the Port Elgin Weigh Offs. http://www.swartzfuneralhomeinc.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=2078453 Pat