Pumpkingate, Part II: Thieves return to Ruth Washburn patch

Thieves and humanitarians are expanding the curriculum at Ruth Washburn Cooperative Nursery School.

Last week, thieves introduced the preschoolers to the ABCs of stealing when they heisted about two dozen pumpkins from their garden. Humanitarians responded with a lesson in goodwill when they replaced the stolen gourds.

Unfortunately, this weekend thieves gave the kiddies a refresher course, stealing about 30 of the replacement pumpkins. For extra credit, the thieves cut and stole copper water lines and a $600 backflow valve used to water the garden.

Once again, humanitarians are responding with another batch of pumpkins. So many, in fact, that the school is going to give the kids a different lesson. About sharing.

The school plans to thank the community by opening its doors Saturday and inviting the community to a free pumpkin festival.

"We've had a lot of questions from our older children, and we're trying to teach them this happens in life," said Sarah Carlile, school director. "We're also trying to teach them that people give and they are generous. And we have enough so we are going to share. We can help others like they helped us."

The school's 107 students, ages 2½ to 5, typically learn their lessons through hands-on discovery, Carlile said. The garden is a perfect learning environment, where the kids can transplant tiny seedlings they nurtured in the classroom and watch grow into fruit and vegetables they later eat.

The past week has seen those innocent lessons twisted by the reality of crime and vandalism.

But Carlile is gratified that her children haven't been left to simply suffer.

Last week's loss was soothed by retired truck driver Frank Howe of Fountain, among others, who loaded pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks and delivered them to the west-side school, near 19th and West Uintah streets.

This week, two companies joined individuals in replacing the stolen pumpkins 10 times over.

Wholesale distributor Federal Food Service and Whole Foods Market at South Carefree Circle and Powers Boulevard both donated pumpkins Monday.

In addition, Whole Foods promised to provide security service until the pumpkin festival Saturday. And it promised to raise funds for the school.

"It's really touching," Carlile said. "People are coming together for us. We really appreciate it."

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Contact the writer: 636-0193 or bill.vogrin@gazette.com