Edgar County, Ill. —
A late frost and long drought might have roasted the area’s corn crop, but pumpkins seem to be in strong supply.
The color orange filled the farmgrounds between West Terre Haute and Paris, Ill., Sunday afternoon, as hundreds of visitors bounced about Pumpkin Works. Inside the Old Farm House Shop, fudge and ice cream were on sale as parents scheduled hay rides with Paul and Sherry Staley.
Sherry said the 20th season of Pumpkin Works seems to be off to a good start despite the summer’s drought. Open daily through Oct. 31, the 260-acre property features mazes in the barns as well as corn fields.
“The corn field is pretty disastrous,” she said laughing, observing the summer’s crippling months without rain kept the stalks from reaching a normal height of 12 feet. “But people are still enjoying it.”
More than 30,000 visitors annually trek through the property on which Paul was raised, walking wood trails and buying pumpkins and gourds. This year, Paul said the 33 acres devoted to pumpkins have done exceedingly well.
“It’s pretty good. It’s as good if not better,” he said of the crop. “They’re turning ripe just as fast as we’re selling them.”
Negligible rain fell between May and July. Paul said he normally plants pumpkins in the middle of June, but this year put them in the sun-baked ground July 3. The pumpkins were 54 days old before a substantive rain came, he chuckled.
But the rain did come — just in time. A normal harvest would yield about 1,000 pumpkins to the acre, about 10 pounds each. This year, Paul said, many of the pumpkins will be closer to 20 pounds.
Trudy Arrasmith served ice cream and drinks at one of the outside vending tents. An elementary school nurse during the week, she comes out on the weekends to help the Staleys.
“The woods. The nature. The kids,” she said, explaining her happiness at the farm. “When the kids see Nurse Trudy out here, they’re surprised.”
The farm is a family-friendly affair, as it was from the start. Paul said his father bought the ground in 1936 and used it to raise hogs. His cousin now owns the original Staley homeplace just down the road, and while the hogs have been long gone, the sense of family still remains.
Pixie Ullrich, Paul’s sister, returned to the homeplace from Colorado this weekend to help out.
“I have fun,” she said, remarking at how the farm has changed since she was a girl. “It’s been a work in progress for the last 20 years.”
Recalling how their father, then in his 90s, used to ride his lawnmower over to help with the festivities, she said it’s been a family project from the first.
“Oh, my dad loved the Pumpkin Works,” she smiled.
Brian Boyce can be reached at 812-231-4253 or brian.boyce@tribstar.com.
About Pumpkin Works
Address: 21788 E. Terre Haute Road., Paris, Ill.
Phone: 217-275-3327
Online: www.pumpkinworks.com
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. (Central Time)
Costs: www.pumpkinworks.com/prices.html
Driving: www.pumpkinworks.com/directions.html
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Just fine: Paul Staley of Pumpkin Works in Edgar County, Ill., shows off one of his gourds. The farm raises some 50 varieties of pumpkins on about 33 acres. This year's drought and high temps had little effect on his crop. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
A miniature pumpkin ripens on the vine at Pumpkin Works near Paris, Ill. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
Discussion
Getting worked up over pumpkins
Illinois patch finding strong crop despite drought, heat of summer
- Local & Bistate
-
-
Co-Op to Feed group delivering to needy
Three Terre Haute organizations are teaming up to deliver food boxes to “the neediest of needy” with specific health concerns on a monthly basis.
-
Field trips to take big hit next year
The Vigo County School Corp. plans to inform school staff of “deep cuts” in student field trips for the next school year, Superintendent Dan Tanoos said Friday.
-
Donation drive in Valley aims to send help to Oklahoma tornado victims
Terre Haute Ministries, along with WTWO, WAWV, Q102.7 and 100.7 Mix-FM are joining forces to help those impacted by tornadoes in Moore, Okla.
-
Invention makes houses safer from tornadoes
A Terre Haute man has developed a building construction system that increases the strength of a home, especially from a tornado.
-
ISU to stage public hearing on proposed tuition increase
Indiana State University will conduct a public hearing at 2 p.m. June 4 to receive input on a proposed 1.95 percent increase in student tuition and mandatory fees for the 2013-14 and 2014-15 academic years.
-
Trial date set for man accused of attacking Vigo County deputy
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County Sheriff’s Deputy has an Aug. 12 trial date.
-
Technology speeds disaster alerts, response
Caitria O’Neill remembers her reaction to hearing tornado warnings on June 1, 2011. She went to the grocery store, she said, “because I live in Massachusetts, and we don’t get tornadoes.”
-
Health information to be provided for blood donors
People who give blood at Clinton Gardens’ blood drive Tuesday will leave knowing valuable information about their health. Donors will find out their cholesterol level, blood pressure, blood type and iron levels at no cost.
-
‘This is the best day of my life’
-
Sullivan man airlifted to Indy after crash
A Sullivan man was in critical condition at an Indianapolis hospital Friday after his pickup truck collided with a tanker truck in Sullivan County.
-
Veterans Memorial Park dedication set for Monday
Memorial Day ceremonies will include a special event this year.
-
Ill. House approves guns plan opposed by governor
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Gun owners in the only state still banning concealed weapons would win that right under a plan approved by the Illinois House on Friday, but the governor and other powerful Democrats oppose the plan because it would wipe out local gun ordinances — including Chicago's ban on assault weapons.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 24, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday and Friday, based on jail records.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 23, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Relic from another age: Massive find
A mastodon that lived in the Wabash Valley thousands of years ago is making big news today.
-
Game Over: Financial tightening causes VCSC to drop St. Patrick’s from athletic schedule
St. Patrick’s School athletic teams will not have an opportunity to compete against their Vigo County School Corp. middle school counterparts next year.
-
Katelyn Newell finally at home
After nearly five months, 8-year-old Katelyn Newell finally returned home Thursday evening — with a new heart.
-
Indiana State U. Police officer honored with Artz Award
Thursday was a special day for Indiana State University Police Officer Christopher Heleine in multiple ways.
-
City Council considering three for consultant
Three different tax professionals vied Thursday for a chance to become a “financial consultant” to the Terre Haute City Council.
-
Clay County sheriff warns of bank card scam
The Clay County Sheriff’s Department has received information regarding a scam targeting residents, according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
-
State Police seek help with Sullivan County homicide
Indiana State Police detectives from the Putnamville Post are seeking help from the public with the nearly six-month investigation into the death of 85-year-old Lowell R. Badger, a rural Sullivan County farmer.
-
Man who attacked Vigo deputy arrested
A Terre Haute man accused of attacking a Vigo County sheriff’s deputy earlier this week is facing felony charges in the Vigo County jail.
-
INDOT to bid final 641 phase
The final construction phase of the 641 bypass is scheduled to let for bids on Dec. 11, according to the Indiana Department of Transportation.
-
District office moves north
The Southwest District office of the Purdue Extension service has been moved north from Vincennes to Terre Haute.
-
Day is done…
The sun sets Thursday evening as seen from south of Terre Haute.
-
Morning update: I-5 bridge collapse caused by truck hitting span
The Washington State Patrol chief says the Interstate 5 bridge collapse into the Skagit (SKA'-jiht) River at Mount Vernon was caused by an oversize truck.
-
UPDATE: I-70 lanes in Putnam County now open
The west-bound lanes of Interstate 70 re-opened Thursday evening after being temporarily closed due to a crash near the Greencastle/Cloverdale exit.
-
22-hospital St. Vincent Health cutting jobs
INDIANAPOLIS — One of Indiana’s largest health systems says it’s cutting an undisclosed number of jobs by June 30 because of increasing economic and competitive pressure on the health care industry.
-
Update: Cleanup from overturned truck in Greene County continues
Fuel spillage from the dump truck hauling gravel that overturned this morning in Greene County at Indiana 54 and County Road 725 East near Ridgeport continues to restrict traffic to one lane.
-
17-pound bone found during Vigo flood cleanup
TERRE HAUTE — Crews cleaning up from Wabash River flooding in Vigo County came across a 17-pound bone that they believe might have come from an ancient mastodon.
- More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
Obama:Sexual Assault Threatens Trust in Military
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
Raw: Memorial Day Flags Placed at Arlington
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
First Person: Mom Discusses Famous Tornado Photo
Officials: Truck Hit Bridge Before Collapse
Boy Scouts Approve Plan to Accept Gay Boys
Sheriff: No Sign Killing of 2 Kids Was Planned
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Jersey Shore Open for Business
Britain Braces for Possible Copycat Attacks
AK-47-wielding thug may be the most bumbling crook ever
Oklahoma Survivors, Heroes Survey Damage
Trout's cycle a boost for Angels
Raw: New Video of Deadly Oklahoma Tornado
Kim Kardashian Flaunts Pregnant Bikini Body in Greece
NBA star pledges $1M to help tornado recovery
Shakira's Shocking Talent
Morgan Freeman falls asleep on air
GRAPHIC: Blood-Soaked Machete Killer Caught on Tape
Elin Nordegren Furious With Lindsey Vonn For Parading Kids in Public
Camera Captures Climber As He Loses Grip And Falls
Helen Mirren Meets with Dying Boy in Queen Elizabeth's Place
Crowd Chants '¡Si, Se Puede!' After Passage of Immigration Bill
DWTS Crowns a Winner
Police Ram House to End Hostage Standoff
Demi Moore a Rocks Bikini at Harry Morton's Family House
Anthony Weiner: I'm running for New York City mayor
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up
VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal
The Hangover Baby All Grown Up
