Experts give pumpkin carving advice

The most recognizable sign of Halloween is without a doubt a carved pumpkin. Traditionally, the popular pattern is the original jack-o-lantern, but lately people have been switching to more intense designs and trading in their kitchen knives for carving kits. \nCraft stores like Michael's and Hobby Lobby sell simple carving kits, and pumpkins can be purchased at local grocery stores or patches. Carving enthusiasts can also access free patterns from Web sites like www.pumpkinmasters.com. \nThe site offers a guide on how to carve a pumpkin and has been giving guidance for several years. The first major exposure for Pumpkin Masters, which led to national and international purchasers buying from the company, was carving pumpkins for Monday Night Football. Pumpkin Masters have been featured on television sitcoms and this year they will appear on "The Tony Danza Show." \nThe site suggests the following list for the best results: Carvers should draw and cut the lid, clean and scrape out the seeds and strings, attach the pattern, transfer the pattern by poking holes along the guidelines, and then saw at a 90 degree angle. If the holes are hard to see, then carvers should rub flour on them so they stand out, according to the Web site. \n"I think it's a really great tradition for families, and before it was just a spectator sport for kids, but now kids can get involved, and the results are amazing," said Cheryl Stoughton, product line manager for Pumpkin Masters, Inc.\nCarving pumpkins is more than a family activity. Even IU students get involved with the fun. Freshman Jessica Nagrant and her roommates hosted a Halloween party for friends, which included a haunted house and pumpkin carving. The friends carved 20 pumpkins to be displayed for the ghoulish date. \n"After reminiscing about our individual pumpkin carving experiences, we decided it would be an almost domestic event to include on the party's itinerary," Nagrant said.\nThe Fine Arts Student Association is holding an event -- its second annual community pumpkin carving contest -- at 8 p.m. tonight in front of the fine arts building. Snacks, drinks and games are provided for the holiday festivities. \nParticipants should bring their pre-carved pumpkins to the contest where faculty and fine arts students will decide the most creative and well-designed pumpkin for a prize. The prizes include a woodcut print by Andrew Winship, gift certificates to Pygmalion's Art Supplies, Inc. and homemade pies. If participants come in Halloween garb, they will be judged for best costume.\n"The contest is a good chance for people to come together and show their creativity, and it lets fine arts students mingle with other students and community members," said senior Breanne Chappell, a committee member for the Fine Arts Student Association.\nNagrant suggested students should take the time to enjoy the taste of their pumpkins.\n"You can experiment with your favorite seasonings for all different types of flavor," she said. "Another suggestion is to save your pumpkin seeds after carving and roast them for a tasty treat while admiring your artwork."\nThe last piece of advice from the Pumpkin Masters is to soak your pumpkins in water overnight so they stay moisturized and do not get moldy. \n"The best thing is to carve pumpkins a day or two before Halloween," Stoughton said.\n-- Contact staff writer Lyndsay Gilman at lkgilman@indiana.edu.