Article appeared in the Oct 27 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
Cindy and Robert Obszarski of Fisher Branch normally grow seed and grain crops. Unable to plant fields this year because of poor weather conditions, they made the most of it by planting pumpkins instead. In all, the Obszarskis planted 70 varieties of pumpkin, gourds, and summer and winter squash seeds on about an acre of their yard, which yielded about one ton of produce. However, none of it was for sale. They did it simply for the love of gardening and to uplift the spirits of visitors.
People who attended the official open house on Oct. 21 were given the first ever “Pumpkin Patch Garden Tour”. First greeted by life-sized rag dolls on a bench in the front of the property, visitors made their way into an enchanted wonderland populated by whimsical pumpkin people, with squash and gourd toadstools and colourful fall displays that would take even Martha Stewart’s breath away.
Pumpkins spilled out onto every corner of the yard, and along the river bank behind the tall trees. An array of gourds hung from branches and from a rustic arbour leading to an asparagus patch. There was a surprise at every turn, that easily would put a smile on the lips of young and old alike.
“This is the nicest pumpkin yard I’ve ever seen in my life. This is unbelievable,” said Tony Chudyk, age 82 of Fisher Branch, who attended the open house. All of the guests were equally impressed.
“An elderly man on his motorized scooter was just smiling. He said that he had so much fun. That moment summed it up for me,” Cindy said.
The many pumpkin and gourd figures were created out of Robert ‘s own imagination, while Cindy decorated much of the yard with an obviously expert eye. Each evening she painstakingly covered it all to protect it from frost, a task which took her four and a half hours to complete.
During the open house, Cindy served a full meal and dainties, all complementary, just to make people happy–Pumpkin Pie Punch, Angel Food Cake, homemade Chili and hors d’oeuvres.
On other days, she gave tours to schools and day care centres.
Cindy, who is an avid gardener and only an exam away from becoming a Certified Master Gardener, creates a pumpkin display every fall. Normally the Obszarskis are too busy farming to have the time to create it on such a grand scale, but this year they truly enjoyed the opportunity to invite the community into their space and spread some joy.
“I just wanted to lighten hearts and lift the spirits of people in the area. We’ve had a lot of tragedy here in Fisher Branch in the last year,” Cindy said.
