News release from Dearborn County Hospital

(Lawrenceburg, Ind.) - Dearborn County Hospital’s 11th annual pumpkin contest has some new twists this year.  Lawrenceburg’s Little Caesars Pizza, who is helping to promote the contest, will contribute gift cards for pizzas to winning school classrooms.  In addition, individuals have been asked to fill out pledge cards at community events indicating their commitment to entering pumpkins in the upcoming contest. 

DCH’s Physical Therapy Department sponsors the pumpkin contest each year in conjunction with National Physical Therapy Month and National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Judging for the 2012 contest will be on Wednesday, October 24, at 3:30 p.m. in the Physical Therapy Department.  The Department will also host an open house that afternoon from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. where the public is invited to enjoy refreshments and view the entries.

During the open house, children will be given goody bags courtesy of the DCH Physical Therapy Department, and visitors can meet with guests from the Greater Cincinnati Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the American Cancer Society and the DCH Breast Care Center.  For every pumpkin entered, Dearborn County Hospital will donate $10 to Susan G. Komen for breast cancer research.

The contest has three age divisions: second grade and younger, third through sixth grade and seventh grade through adult.  Those receiving first, second or third place in each division will receive a commemorative plaque.

Drop-off dates and times for entries are:

Monday, October 22, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.

Tuesday, October 23, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Wednesday, October 24, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Little Caesars of Lawrenceburg will donate gift cards for 15 pizzas.  The three classrooms that bring in the most pumpkins will each be awarded five pizzas for a party at their school.  In addition, the pizzeria is including contest fliers with its orders to help promote the competition. 

Also new this year are Pumpkin Pledges.  Individuals visiting the DCH booth at various community events are asked to fill out a pledge card indicating how many decorated pumpkins they plan to enter.  Those signing pledges will receive an email reminding them about the contest.

“In past years, our entrants have painted pumpkins pink in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” explained Ed Brush, MSPT/ATC, DCH Physical Therapy Director.  “Classrooms of students have designed animals or even what you might call a ‘still life’ in three dimensions.  Many of our regulars use multiple types of gourds or other vegetables plus household items to put together their designs.  The creativity continues to surprise us even after all these years.”

Entrants wishing to keep their pumpkins are welcome to retrieve them after the judging.  Pick-up times are October 24 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. and October 25 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Unclaimed pumpkins will be donated to area nursing and group homes.

For more information, please call the Dearborn County Hospital Physical Therapy Department at (812) 537-8144 or (800) 676-5572, ext. 8144, or visit the hospital’s website at www.dch.org.