Hey Gordo!

This week Diana and I traveled to Circleville, Ohio to take in the sights and sounds of the Circleville Pumpkin Show. This was the 100th show and all the stops were pulled out.

We parked in Ted Lewis park. Ted Lewis? One of the better know burlesque and vaudeville entertainers, he was known in later years for his smaltzy performances featuring his tattered top hat and tag line "Is Everybody Happy"? Oh, he was also born in Circleville.

We headed down Court Street and found ourselves in the midst of a giant carnival. Food, amusement rides and games of skill and chance. Oh and the previously mentioned food. If it can be made from pumpkin, it was available. Pumpkin Bread, Pumpkin Pie, Pumpkin Burgers, Pumpkin Donuts and Pumpkin Coffee. Ok, I took liberty with the last one, but it wouldn't surprise me if it weren't availalble.

This years largest pumpkin was the largest and heaviest in the history of the show. It weighed in at 1524 lbs. The competion is great to grow the largerst gourd and locals as well as regional contestants take the challenge to grow the largest very seriously.



Others are on display, in many unique shapes and colors.

In Circlevile, the Pumpkin Show is a very "political" event. Political in that you have to be seen at certain events if you travel in certain circles.

I also got to see a person I've always really liked. Cindy Wood worked at the same company I did for a number of years. She worked for me in my department for about 7 or 8 years. Cindy is a native and fixture in Circleville and it was great to see her.

Our trip wouldn't have been complete without stopping at the legendary Lindsey's Bakery to see the large pumpkin pie and buy a dozen warm pumpkin donuts. Take about pumpkin excellence.

Lindey's is not only a must stop for Diana and me. On the walls are pictures of high ranking politicians including 1996 Presidential Candidate Bob Dole and in 2004 Vice President Dick Cheney. There's also a picture of former astronaut and Ohio Senator John Glenn.

It takes several weeks for the bakers at Lindsey's Bakery to prepare this masterpiece. The pie weighs 350 pound and is 5 feet in diameter. In case you might want to duplicate this phenomena you'll need 33 pounds of pie dough, 12 gallons of cooked and mashed pumpkin, 36 pounds of sugar, 11 dozen eggs, 4 pounds of cornstarch, a pound of salt, a pound of pie spices (including the all-essential cinnamon) and 116 pounds of milk and water. When you find an oven big enough to bake the pie, it will take six hours to bake and an additional six hours to cool before serving.

The show wrapped up last night and will be gone for another year. Well at least we can still go to Lindey's to get the donuts.