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As thousands of pumpkins in patches across the country reach peak perfection, ‘tis the season for carving fabulous jack-o-lanterns. Keep these tips in mind when planning for your pre-Halloween fun:
• CHOOSE your canvas carefully, focusing on a flat bottom and ample façade.
• SKETCH your desired design in big, bold strokes.
• OPEN from the bottom (not top!)
• SAVE the seeds for a healthy snack.
• LEAVE the knife cutting to the grown-ups!
• SOAK your jack-o-lantern in a bleach-water solution to stave off mold and mildew.
• CONSIDER painting your giant gourds, which is fun (and safe!) for folks of all ages and abilities.
– Hannah Van Sickle, The Arizona 100