N.J. farm flings pumpkins with giant catapult

[September 25, 2008]  NEWTON, N.J. (AP) -- One New Jersey farm has a special attraction to go with the season's hay rides and corn mazes: giant pumpkin catapult.

A group of middle school students who became obsessed with the medieval weapon asked northern New Jersey farmers Anthony and Heidi Lentini if they could use physics to fling the big orange squash.

The couple, who have corn mazes on their Newton farm to attract customers, agreed.

The half dozen boys, farmers and a technology teacher from Halsted Middle School began work in August and finished building the giant catapult this weekend.

It cost about $1200. The Lentinis paid for construction.

The farmers say the device is up and running and covering the farm with the smashed remains of damaged pumpkins.

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Information from: The Star-Ledger, http://www.nj.com/starledger/

[Associated Press]

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