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[SJC <indexer AT localnet.com>]

bob ford wrote:
> There was a guy on the news this morning paddling a pumpkin (big pumpkin he 
> had hollowed and used as a boat).  I didn't see from where, but it was a 
> biggg pumpkin ....bobford
>
>   
Yep.  Annual event here in the williwogs.  Cut the top off, usually with 
a chain saw but the pumpkins are tender this year on account of so much 
rain, so we'll use the SawzAll on ours.  Peter taped ours yesterday and 
is figuring about 1400 pounds---that's if it doesn't explode before 
morning.  I heard at noon today that my neighbor Sam's pumpkin exploded 
while they were milking, startled everybody.  Probably half or so will 
explode before they are used, but if it doesn't:  Hollow it out with a 
hoe and a coal hod, and carefully set it in the Passagasswaukeag River 
about a quarter mile above the Bay, 'man' it with 2 people(hopefully 
skinny) with shovels for paddles, at least one dog (required), put up 
your flag, wait for the pistol, and go for the rapids.  This is 
considered an adult activity, mind you; kids have their own races.  Some 
years none of them make it to the finish line (the footbridge from 
Belfast to East Belfast).  Hardest part is getting the pumpkin parts out 
of the river afterward. 

All this, of course, follows the bed races, held in September.

Ya use whatcha got.

Susan Jane