Sale benefits Habitat's Women Build Project

BY DONNA MARIE POCIUS
Advocate correspondent

People may purchase pumpkins with a fundraising purpose at Door County Interiors & Design in Egg Harbor. Plump pumpkins cost $3 each and are displayed in a large cart outside the store, 7266 Wisconsin 42. Small pumpkins, at $1 each, are also available. Proceeds will benefit Door County Habitat for Humanity's Women Build Project.

The organization planted and nurtured a pumpkin patch on Door County Interiors & Design's grounds this season. About $800 has been raised from the harvest, with funds earmarked for supplies to be used by Women Build Project volunteers in the construction of a new home for an area family in 2010.

"It is a unique way to raise money for a cause that is a community-building relationship," said Katy Moore, volunteer coordinator for Door County Habitat for Humanity.

"We had tremendous support from the village of Egg Harbor. Four businesses purchased a lot from us, and we delivered the pumpkins right to their doorsteps," she said.

Moore recognized Dovetail Gallery & Studio, Double Delites, A Decorator's Gallery and the Village Café, all in Egg Harbor, for their pumpkin purchases. She also thanked Ron and Carol Trimberger, owners of Door County Interiors & Design, who donated use of land for pumpkin planting and are coordinating sales.

"What this project has also done is help us build our relationship with the Trimbergers. And all the women involved have built a strong bond, too," Moore said.

About 15 volunteers, affiliated with the Women Build Project, planted seeds in early June on two acres of land at Door County Interiors & Design. Six varieties of pumpkin seeds were planted in 17 rows. While a few of the women have grown pumpkins in their yards, it was the first time Habitat for Humanity and Door County Interiors & Design have organized a pumpkin planting and fundraiser.

"A lot has come out of this — working with our hands, working out in the field. We got to know each other better," said Moore, adding that a pumpkin planting and fundraiser also are planned for next year.

The Jack-o-Lantern (8 to 15 pounds) and Jack-be-Little (about 4 to 6 inches in diameter) varieties fared well and have been the best sellers, according to Ron Trimberger, who researched types of pumpkins and transformed a grassy area on his business's property into a pumpkin patch, with help from area neighbors.

"It has been beyond our expectations. It is fun and a learning experience about planting and pumpkins," he said.

He said he plans to donate use of another piece of land next year. The idea is to alternate pumpkin patch space over the years to prevent disease, Trimberger said.

As for pumpkin decorating ideas, Trimberger and his staff have a few.

Sue Bryzek, an independent interior designer at Door County Interiors & Design, advises people to group pumpkins in a variety of sizes and colors. Add to the grouping other natural seasonal materials, such as corn stalks, she said.

"And the little pumpkins make great table place settings," Bryzek said.

"And you can put the little pumpkins on your window sills, too. The pumpkins don't only have to be on your front porch," Trimberger added.

People interested in the Women Build Project, in which volunteers construct an affordable home in partnership with a family in the community, can call Door County Habitat for Humanity at (920) 743-2869, for information about the upcoming series of training sessions.

Participants will learn the basics of building a house. The class will be taught by Rick Nelson, executive director of Door County Habitat for Humanity, and two construction volunteers.

"It will be some classroom lectures, and a lot of hands-on. The idea of the training sessions is to recruit women to the Women Build Project," Moore said.