Today we’re sharing a little behind the scenes action in our gourd fields! These pictures show trial runs of a gourd sorter designed to help us sort our small gourds. This is somewhere around the tenth model we’ve built in the last twenty years. Most models never make it to field trials, since they end up being an idea that just didn’t work.

This particular model has doubled our sorting speed without compromising accuracy. It does show some flaws with getting the gourds out of the hoppers, however, so model number eleven might replace this one in about a week. Although this is a huge step in the right direction, we bet we can build a better one. Once we get the design flaws fixed we will have a much larger metal unit built for us.

Our very popular Gourd Egg Hunt is back for 2013 and will be held as part of our Spring Fest Activities on March 16th, 2013.

Time slots are as follow:
11am-Noon   •  1pm-2pm •  3pm-4pm
There will be 1-$100 and 2-$50 cash prize eggs in each hunt along with prize eggs for gourds and gourmet chocolate from Sweet Jubilee.  This fun event is for all ages.  New this year:  Admission is one non-perishable food item per person.  Sorry, no out-of-date or damaged food items will be accepted.  All food will be donated to the Big Spring Area Food Bank. Each hunt is limited to 350 people and fills up quickly so pre-registration is required.

Registration will begin on March 1st.   Please call 717-776-6029 or email bethm@mbgourds.com with egg hunt time and number in your party.
Rain Date is Sunday, March 17th

View photos of last year’s Gourd Egg Hunt here.

Read more about all the other fun Spring Fest activities being held on March 15th-18th.

Sometimes when we don’t plant enough of a particular gourd variety the year before, the need arises to speed dry the gourds in our greenhouse in order to use them sooner. When our inventory of raw, dried gourds is gone we just can’t wait for spring to come and the gourds to dry outside. Instead, we bring them in to be speed dried. This allows us to craft them about two months sooner than naturally drying them outside during the winter.

This particular circumstance is occurring with the pictured gourds.

The white spots in the picture are not snow – they are mold. It is critical to allow this mold to cover most of the gourd . If a gourd is dry before the mold has broken down the skin, the skin literally super glues itself to the shell and creates a nightmare for our washers.

First step:  Freeze the gourds.
Second step: Mold the skin.
Third step: Place in a hot, dry room and hold your nose!
Final step: Wash all the mold and skin away with ease.

It’s fascinating how ugly these gourds need to get before we can turn them into something beautiful.  In about a month these moldy gourds will be shiny Christmas tree ornaments!

Thank you to everyone that attended our Create Your Own Gourd Workshop held during our Winter Open House weekends!

Here are a few photos of the event.

Be sure to “like” our Facebook page for future event updates!

On December 8th, we will be holding our Silent Auction in the Meadowbrooke Gourds’  Retail Store. Can’t attend? Don’t worry! You can place your Silent Auction bids online! Bidding will close on Dec. 8th at 8pm. A portion of the proceeds will go to Project Share as part of the Claus Cause.

Here are the rules and everything you need to know about the online Silent Auction. Bidding begins on December 6th!

Join us at the Meadowbrooke Gourds Retail Store for our Black Friday SALE!! On November 23rd, we will be open from 10am – 4pm.

The first 75 customers will receive a FREE bag filled with goodies. The bags will contain various discount coupons and one lucky winner will receive a $50.00 gift certificate!

Introducing our November Product of the Month: Holiday Candle Light Gourd.

This new gourd is approximately 7″ in diameter and comes with an amber light. The candle, spark and stars are cut out so the glow of the light shows through the gourd. At the bottom of the candle is green holly with three berries that glow red when lit. The Holiday Candle Light Gourd will bring the warmth of the holidays into your home this season. Click here to learn more and purchase.

This weekend marks the final weekend of our Fall Open House! We are kicking things off on Friday at 10:00 a.m. with our Customer Appreciation Sale!

Enjoy 25% off all regular Meadowbrooke Gourds on October 19th and October 20th.
(Sales excludes food items, raw, Christmas, local artists and oops gourds, and crafting supplies)

October 19th Store Hours: 10am – 4pm
October 20th Store Hours: 10am – ?

We are just one week away from Summer Celebration 2012 and we hope to make this year the best one yet!

Here are the fun activities we have planned for the whole family including our huge OOPS Sale, Gourd Float Race, Bargain Bin, Painting Class, Wagon Rides, and much more.

 Visit our website, mbgourds.com, for more information about each activity. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, July 19th!

Introducing Charlotte the Breast Cancer Snowgirl, the Meadowbrooke Gourds July Product of the Month. She is approximately 7″ in diameter and comes with a lit base. She is whitewashed and has pink accessories for Breast Cancer Awareness.

Charlotte was inspired by one of our customers – Marie Spangler – in memory of her grandmother who lost her battle with Breast Cancer. A portion of the proceeds will go to Breast Cancer Research.

Click here to read more about Charlotte.