In honor of Heirloom/OP tomatoes

PaulF · December 2, 2011

My little village, founded in 1854, was the first Territorial Capital of Nebraska. A new town compared to the east coast historical beginnings of the country, but out here in the wild west what is now a sleepy old river town, we were one of the first thriving cities in the center of the country, west of the Missouri. Omaha, the million+population metroplex, was small compared to Brownville. Lewis and Clark camped in what was to become our city on their journey of discovery.

It is only fitting that Brownville has an active Historical Society. The membership has an annual gathering that includes a meal, a program usually given by an historian of some repute, an annual meeting and an auction of donated items to help pay for the soiree.

I have for the past five years donated a couple of coupons redeemable for five heirloom tomato plants of the highest bidder's choice either from my inventory or any other variety they would want. The first couple of years they went for $5 or $7 for 5 plants. Last year the figure was up to $20 for each group of five. This year the bidding got carried away and each coupon brought in $40. $80 for ten plants! I know it was for a fund raiser, but still I was amazed. Both winners have already contacted me asking when I could get started growing "their tomatoes".

From five years ago no one in town even knowing what an heirloom tomato was to most in the village who have gardens asking for some of my "weird" tomatoes makes me happy and proud. Thank you Tomatovillians for all your help.

halleone · December 2, 2011

Wow, what a great story. What tomatoes have the winners chosen?

jgaleota · December 2, 2011

Very nice! I did not know that history of Brownville either. Congratulations on getting a great tradition going!

Judi

greyghost · December 2, 2011

What a nice tradition! My folks are from Grand Island. Darlene

Skaggydog · December 2, 2011

Our town has been repossessed by Mexico so we no longer have a history

ScottinAtlanta · December 2, 2011

I think your history has just been extended.

Great story from Nebraska. My grandparents are from Plattsmouth, which I think is not far from you.

Boutique Tomatoes · December 2, 2011

Wonderful story.

My wife has been asking me to consider donating a tomato and pepper share in my garden to our schools annual auction, but I'm always worried about a bad year and someone being dissapointed. Plants I hadn't thought of...

remy · December 2, 2011

Very cool Paul!
Remy

December 2, 2011	#1
PaulF Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brownville, Ne Posts: 3,296	In honor of Heirloom/OP tomatoes My little village, founded in 1854, was the first Territorial Capital of Nebraska. A new town compared to the east coast historical beginnings of the country, but out here in the wild west what is now a sleepy old river town, we were one of the first thriving cities in the center of the country, west of the Missouri. Omaha, the million+population metroplex, was small compared to Brownville. Lewis and Clark camped in what was to become our city on their journey of discovery. It is only fitting that Brownville has an active Historical Society. The membership has an annual gathering that includes a meal, a program usually given by an historian of some repute, an annual meeting and an auction of donated items to help pay for the soiree. I have for the past five years donated a couple of coupons redeemable for five heirloom tomato plants of the highest bidder's choice either from my inventory or any other variety they would want. The first couple of years they went for $5 or $7 for 5 plants. Last year the figure was up to $20 for each group of five. This year the bidding got carried away and each coupon brought in $40. $80 for ten plants! I know it was for a fund raiser, but still I was amazed. Both winners have already contacted me asking when I could get started growing "their tomatoes". From five years ago no one in town even knowing what an heirloom tomato was to most in the village who have gardens asking for some of my "weird" tomatoes makes me happy and proud. Thank you Tomatovillians for all your help. __________________ there's two things money can't buy; true love and home grown tomatoes.

December 2, 2011	#8
remy Buffalo-Niagara Tomato TasteFest™ Coordinator Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Z6 WNY Posts: 2,354	Very cool Paul! Remy __________________ "I wake to sleep and take my waking slow" -Theodore Roethke Yes, we have a great party for WNY/Ontario tomato growers every year on Grand Island! Owner of The Sample Seed Shop

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December 2, 2011	#2
halleone Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Walla Walla, Washington Posts: 360	Wow, what a great story. What tomatoes have the winners chosen?

December 2, 2011	#3
jgaleota Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 133	Very nice! I did not know that history of Brownville either. Congratulations on getting a great tradition going! Judi

December 2, 2011	#4
greyghost Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: southeastern PA Posts: 760	What a nice tradition! My folks are from Grand Island. Darlene

December 2, 2011	#5
Skaggydog Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Southern California Posts: 131	Our town has been repossessed by Mexico so we no longer have a history

December 2, 2011	#6
ScottinAtlanta Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,593	I think your history has just been extended. Great story from Nebraska. My grandparents are from Plattsmouth, which I think is not far from you.

December 2, 2011	#7
Boutique Tomatoes Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Northeast Wisconsin, Zone 5a Posts: 1,109	Wonderful story. My wife has been asking me to consider donating a tomato and pepper share in my garden to our schools annual auction, but I'm always worried about a bad year and someone being dissapointed. Plants I hadn't thought of...