Ahh.... The Good Life!

I never thought of pumpkin carving as being a sport, but, apparently, it is quite competitive! Believe it or not, the Guinness Book of World Records has a listing for the World's Fastest Carver, and this weekend, a one time winner was in our area, showing his stuff! His "good stuff", that makes me smile! In an area where it's hard to find anything to do with the family that doesn't include the Mall, it's very refreshing to find some good, wholesome entertainment!

The Marietta Times talks about his visit to a local landscaper shop this past Saturday. Marietta is in Ohio, but it's still very close to me. I live just outside Parkersburg, WV, which is on the Ohio River, and Marietta is about 15 minutes North of us. So, their local events are fun for us too!

Jerry Ayers is the champion pumpkin carver pictured above. He is an Ohio resident, himself, and has been carving pumpkins for many years! He began breaking records in 1994, when he carved a pumpkin in 56 seconds. And he broke that record in 1999, by carving one in 37 seconds!! That's just crazy fast. LOL He also is the record holder for carving one ton (that would be a huge pile of kids party invitations! LOL) of pumpkins in 7 hours and 11 seconds. He must really love pumpkins!

Beginning when he was 29 years old, the now 63 year old carver has made quite a bit of money from his talent. Now, though, he chooses to keep none of the money from the donations, and, instead, gives the money to local charities!