THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 31, 1994 TAG: 9407290258
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 15 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Every year, just when you think it's safe to slice into a homegrown tomato, Portsmouth's backyard gardeners start tying up Currents' phones with tales of mammoth melons, whacky watermelons and red peppers that look like Elvis.
``Traditionally, newspaper editors have grimaced at the idea of photographing vegetables,'' former city editor Sam Barnes admitted to readers eight years ago when he threw in the towel and invited them to come on down.
He called it the Incredible Vegetable Contest. Most Currents staffers call it the contest that won't die.
But we know when we're licked. So go ahead and bring in that swan-shaped cuke, that tomato that looks like a baseball glove.
We'll take vegetable entries from 9 to 10 a.m. beginning Wednesday through Friday Aug. 12 at the Currents office, Suite 100, 307 County St. We'll photograph the produce, weigh it, measure it and record information while you wait.
But don't bring them in before Wednesday. A photographer won't be here to capture that special moment between vegetable and owner.
Winners in the three categories - Most Humongous, Most Artistic and All-Round Most Bizarre - will receive $25 gift certificates. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Cradock resident George Warner shows his 20-inch-long cucumber still
on the vine and growing.
INFOLINE
The Currents would like to know the names of those city folks who
haven't forgotten the joy of tilling the earth and sharing their
bounty with friends.
If you know of someone who has long supplied neighbors and
friends with the tasty rewards of their long, hot days in the garden
please give us the details on Infoline. To do so, call 640-5555 and
press CUKE (3853). Please leave your phone number also.
by CNB