The Pond Digger Forums

As you all know, Ponds Are My Passion and to see the kind words of encouragement from all involved here in the Pond MakeOver Contest Forum has been truly rewarding to me.

I wanted to tell everyone how the Pond MakeOver contest evolved......

Many of you know we participated in the EXTREME HOME MAKE OVER right here in Redlands a couple of years back at the Grinnan's home.  

Well, as a result, I had been INFECTED by the "Reality TV Show" make over programs and decided to host one of my own, but on a much smaller scale.

On January 1st 2006, Exotic Aquatics and our waterscape design and construction division, "The Pond Diggers" launched the Pond MakeOver Contest campaign!  Flyers were delivered to Daryl's Pet Shop, Newell Nurseries, New World Fountain and many more!  Ads in Newspapers were paid for, email blasts were launched, Ads in Pond Tour Booklets were designed and QUITE FRANKLY, EVERY PIECE OF MARKETING MATERIAL WE USED HAD THE POND MAKEOVER DETAILS ATTACHED!

October 31st was the deadline for contestants to enter and we still had not received one single entry as of October 1st!  I'm telling you I was so terribly disappointed.  I firmly believed that our Pond MakeOver Contest was a complete flop!  

So much a flop, that I ALMOST stopped marketing the contest in early October during our Fifth Annual Moonlight Pond Tour™, for fear that I would only get one entry at the very last minute!  Yet, the marketing campaign continued................

It was approximately October 15th when we received our first entry and I will tell you, it was a very touching story that turned my disappointment into relief and joy!  Someone was gonna win this Pond MakeOver contest!

I would say that by the end of the third week of October we had less then five entries and the decision for the winner was gonna be a No Brainer!  Then............ we were flooded with entries in the final couple days, even hours before the October 31st deadline!

Because of the flood of last minute entries, as you can see the decision has become a difficult one!  All of the stories have touched me, the participation from the contestants, friends & family has been a blast!  In my mind the Pond MakeOver Contest is a success!

The Redlands Daily Facts Newspaper has contacted us regarding our contest and the winner will likely be showcased in a story, as soon as New Years Weekend!

IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING THE FINAL FIVE:

On Christmas Eve Morning, there will be Five Contest Entries that will be made into a "Sticky" at the top of the this thread.  The Five Stickies will represent the Contestants that the judges have moved into the FINAL FIVE!  

At that time, I will announce a timeframe that the winner will be called, so everyone isn't waiting around all night in total suspense!

I truly wish I could give away a wonderful waterscape to each and every contestant to spread my love for the holiday season and my passion for ponds but of course that can't happen.  Best of luck to all!

By the way, I have blocked The Pond Diggers construction calendar so that this waterscape can be installed VERY SOON!

Sincerely in Ponds,

Please choose I'm So Koi. Too cute. She really deserves it, and it seems she would have more appreciation for what you can do than anyone else.

I disagree.  While "I'm so Koi” has been very active here and has shown she has the time and interest to flood the board with many entries in her name and maybe others...  I do not agree that she deserves your attention and gift more than anyone else who has posted here.  Often in life the attention is given to the "squeaky wheel" who petitions for attention in a loud and anxious way, while those who do what they do quietly and without fanfare are passed over.

I would prefer to see the winner be chosen based on something other than the catastrophe the entrant wants to tell you about to gain your sympathy.  I would wager that every one of the entrants has been through their own difficulties in life, why not award your gift to one who focuses on the positive side of life.  

Your gift of love is one from the heart.  I have seen many of your creations and no two are the same, yet each shows the love you have poured into it.  Give that love and creation to one who has a love for life, one who focuses on the good life has, and will, give them.  Good feelings beget good feelings; let your gift be into the life of one who will build on the good feelings with other good feelings.

I applaud your giving, you are class people.

Mr. Waterman,

The lady (I'm So Koi!) was having fun posting silly images on competitors threads that attract interest to them. She’s leaving complements on everyone’s threads especially taking care to post to competitors threads who had no replies. She was trying to get people talking, to generate some camaraderie. An entry that once had zero replies now has eight as others followed her lead.

You don’t know the lady. Your [post] says much about you and nothing about her.

Best,

Dave Hartman.

Your reply to my post is in very poor taste and certainly not in the spirit of the competition.
I am very saddened that someone would go to such great lengths to attack a wonderful woman that you have never met.

Mssnooper

There are many opinions and feelings floating around and we can appreciate everyone's point of view, However, I will say that the panel of judges are not easily swayed by posts on the board.

I will also say it has been an absolute pleasure to have I'm So Koi posting all over the place!  We love her passion and humorous edge!

Please keep in the spirit of the holiday!


Best Regards..........