Gene “the Pumpkin Man” Rhodes, left, chats with Carrie Holden, of Kalamazoo, as she purchases pumpkins, some mums and squash yesterday afternoon. Gene the Pumpkin Man is celebrating his 51st year of selling pumpkins from his farm on West Main. Rhodes said this year’s pumpkin crop is the worst in 51 years, having suffered through cool, wet weather during the pollination season. He has had to supplement his inventory with pumpkins from other farms. (Jill McLane Baker | Kalamazoo Gazette)