History of the Jack O' Lantern
| Ever wonder how this pumpkin carving tradition started? It is said it
began with an Irishman named Jack, who was so evil and brazen that when he
entered hell, he played tricks on the devil. The devil didn't take such
behavior lightly, and banished Jack, condemning him to walk the earth
forever. Ever the scoundrel, Jack stole a hot piece of coal from hell and
placed it in a turnip that he had carved out. He held the turnip as a
lantern and let it guide him as he wandered, looking for a final resting
place. No one knows if Jack is still roaming the earth. But we do
know that the jack-o'-lantern, now taking the form of a pumpkin, became the
traditional light of Halloween. |
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Pumpkin Carving Hints:
 Draw your face with markers before you begin to carve. This will
save many mistakes.
Always cut the top of your pumpkin off at an angle. If you cut it
straight, the top will fall through in a day or so, when the heat of the
candle distorts the shape and the pumpkin begins to shrivel up.
It is not necessary to cut the top off to put a light inside. You
can cut out a hole in the back and put the light in that way -- this keeps
the front and top of the pumpkin whole.
Cut a small notch in the pumpkin's lid. This allows the heat from
the candle to escape and will prolong the life of the jack o' lantern.
If you lose a piece of pumpkin while carving, just put it back in its
place with toothpicks.
Use cookie cutters or other templates to make repeated wrap around (all
around the pumpkin) patterns. Put a cookie cutter up against the
pumpkin and outline its shape with a marker. Then cut the shape
out. Hearts, rectangles, stars, and other familiar and funny shapes
make terrific designs.
Set a candle in melted wax on a jar lid inside your pumpkin when you are
finished carving.
Use mini flashlights inside the pumpkin instead of candles. They are
safer and all you will need to replace are batteries.
The thinner the shell of the jack o' lantern (the more of the insides you
have carved out), the brighter it will be.
If you do not want to carve the pumpkin, use reflective tape cut in the
shapes of eyes, nose, and mouth. The pumpkin will glow in the
dark. Painting pumpkins is another alternative.
A cluster of pumpkins is more effective than just one pumpkin. And
duplicating the design of any one pumpkin is really effective.
If you have a walkway to your house, line pumpkins on both sides and light
with mini flashlights or candles.
Miniature pumpkins can be made into votive candle holders. Cut off
the top, scoop out the seeds and pulp, insert a small candle, and light.
Pumpkins also make great vases. Hollow out and fill with water
and flowers. Or skip the water and use dried flowers and branches of
leaves.
For More Information Contact:
Mayfield Electric & Water Systems
301 East Broadway, Mayfield, KY 42066
Tel: 270-247-4661
FAX: 270-247-0550
Internet: jcre@mayfieldews.com
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