Pumpkin Patch Achieves Record-Breaking Success
FWCD’s Parent Faculty Association netted a record amount of $37,000 in its Pumpkin Patch Sale and Faux Pumpkin Auction on October 13 and 14. Central Market donated 620 pumpkins to this year’s patch, the most ever. The Pumpkin Patch has been a time-honored PFA and FWCD tradition for nearly 15 years and features hundreds of painted pumpkins for sale to the School community. This year’s co-chairs, Jodi Outland and Tiffany Slataper, oversaw the volunteer artists and pumpkin painting.
With more pumpkins this year, The Patch was able to offer pumpkins priced for every budget and every family. “The patch was definitely a success thanks to many helpful hands! FWCD’s Plant Ops Team worked hourly and daily with our many needs and requests. [FWCD Parent] Blake Schooler used his personal team and time to get all of the donated pumpkins to campus from Central Market,” Jodi said. “I believe this year we made more money than any other year, and I contribute that to having a great deal of pumpkins donated by Central Market. Being able to price them for all budgets and fostering the FWCD Together theme. It took the entire community to pull this Pumpkin Patch off.
“Pumpkin Patch Co-Chair Elects Janie Skillman and Carley Cagle, while never seeing a fully run Pumpkin Patch, spent as many hours aiding us in making pumpkins, designing pumpkins, and getting tasks done,” Jodi continued. “They also solely handled the silent auction items. Their dedication, hard work, and positive attitudes were appreciated.”
The Faux Pumpkin Auction featured 19 works of art by 17 artists: FWCD Parent Michael Outland, Local Artist Cindi Holt, FWCD Parent Dr. Ann Margaret Ochs, former faculty member Tricia Franks, FWCD Parent Natalie Campbell, Local Artist Daniel Blagg, Lower School Technology Specialist Mandy Lofquist, FWCD Parent Margery Gossett, Middle School Art Teacher Lesley Francis, Artist and FWCD Parent John Holt Smith ’87, Director of Fine Arts Chelsy Beninate, FWCD Parent Leigh Taylor Bornitz ’95, FWCD Parent Julia Gadberry, Lower School Art Teacher and FWCD Parent Pamela Lancaster, Middle School Art and Theatre Teacher Valorie Flaherty, Visual Arts Teacher Dorrine DeChant, and FWCD Parent Jodi Outland. Bidding started at $100 and increased in increments of $25 at minimum. Several pumpkins earned more than $500 in bids!
Four spooktacular wreaths were also auctioned, including one created by the FWCD Class of 2034. Each kindergartener student painted a small pumpkin that was fused to create a large colorful pumpkin wreath.
The Mayor-for-a-Day pumpkin is always a hit, and the winner gains a daylong experience with Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker. After a nail-biting day of bidding, two came in at the very same time, and Mayor Parker graciously agreed to offer the experience to two families. Auction winners are Adelaide Moncrief Royer ’02 (mother of Shirley ’33) and Barbara Schweitzer (mother of Sydney ’29).
Everyone’s favorite designs were available in The FWCD Pumpkin Patch this year. Special pumpkins also were presented to Mayor Parker and Central Market General Manager Austin Jourde.
