Light up Halloween with jack-o-lanterns One of the most fun family activi- ties at Halloween is making a jack-o-lantern. Deciding what kind of face to carve in the pump- kin, whether scary, funny or artis- tic, can be the subject of a great debate among children. Even bet- ter, what if everyone has their own pumpkin to carve? After that big decision comes the squishy, messy part cleaning out the pumpkin. Cutting a circle around the stem and lifting off the top reveals a fine network of seeds and pulp, all of which must be scooped out. Its up to you whether you use a spoon, or just dig in with your fingers and pull. For the best lighting effects, the inside wall of the pumpkin should be scraped thinner, so the candle- light can more easily escape the carved out eyes and nose, and lend a faint glow to the entire pumpkin. When youve finished carving the pumpkin and lit the candle, (this should be done by an adult or under adult supervi- sion), turn off the lights and admire your work. Now that youve got your jack-o- lantern, its time to roast the seeds for a nice healthy snack. You might even have an extra pumpkin or two left over to make some delicious pumpkin pies. Some people may not know this, but pumpkin is a fruit which ripens and takes on its bright orange colour in early fall, just as the leaves start to change. Imagine pumpkin bread or soup! Did you know that originally, jack-o-lanterns were made from turnips? The story is Celtic in ori- gin, and Irish immigrants to America started using pumpkins instead of turnips in the 1800s, altering their tradition since pumpkins were so plentiful. TOP AND LOOK IN BOTH DIRECTIONS BEFORE CROSSING THE STREET. CAR DRIVERS MAY NOT SEE YOU IN THE DARK. RICK-OR-TREAT ONLY IN FAMILIAR NEIGHBOURHOODS CLOSE TO YOUR HOME. NFAMILIAR PETS SHOULD BE AVOIDED. EVEN PETS YOU KNOW MIGHT NOT RECOGNIZE YOU. AKE SURE YOU WEAR SHOES THAT FIT WELL AND ARE TIED TIGHTLY. ROPS LIKE TOY SWORDS OR WANDS SHOULD BE FLEXIBLE, WITHOUT SHARP EDGES OR POINTS. ISIT ONLY THOSE HOUSES THAT ARE WELL-LIT, AND NEVER APPROACH A HOUSE ALONE. EVER GO INTO A HOUSE. STAY OUTSIDE ON THE BALCONY. UICKLY REVIEW YOUR TRICK-OR- TREATING ROUTE WITH MOM AND DAD BEFORE YOU LEAVE. YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD ALWAYS BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT. NLY EAT CANDY IN SEALED WRAPPERS, AND HAVE YOUR PARENTS INSPECT ALL OF YOUR CANDY. EMEMBER TO WALK, NOT RUN, FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE WHILE TRICK-OR-TREATING. 354 Guelph St., Unit 27, Georgetown 905-873-1655 We handle all insurance work. Truck Accessories Upholstery Heavy Equipment Glass Window Tinting Main Store and Dispensary 905 877-2711 Home Health Care 905 873-4021 Post Office 905 873-7798 Youngs Pharmacy & Homecare Safety First! Downtown Georgetown info@youngpharmacy.com 140 Guelph St., Georgetown 905-873-0933 HOME DECOR 265 Guelph St., Georgetown 905-873-2753 SUNNY MOTORS 323 QUEEN ST., ACTON 519-853-9012 Mon. - Fri. 3 pm - 9 pm, Sat. 9 - 6 pm SPOOKY HOUSE CONTEST Send a photo of your Spooky House to win a Halloween Prize Pack. Submit entries by Oct. 25 to features@independentfreepress.com Sponsors: ACTON GEORGETOWN GENERAL REPAIRS TO MOST MAKES AIR & WATERCOOLED COMPUTER DIAGNOSIS 572 Main St., Glen Williams 905-877-4571 Bill King Arnos Auto Service SPECIALIZING IN: VOLKSWAGEN & AUDI 55 SINCLAIR AVE., UNIT 5, GEORGETOWN 905-877-2425 Georgetown Custom Car Sound ELECTRONIC SERVICE FREE ESTIMATES - 120 DAY GUARANTEE Celebrating 15 Years!Thanks! NORVAL PLUMBING CENTRE INC. If You Dont Know How - Well Show You How PARTS - INSTALLATION - SERVICE 509 Guelph St., Norval (on Hwy #7, west of Winston Churchill) Tel. 905-873-4140 Toll Free 1-866-249-0187 Owner: Baxter Butler (Max) 143 Mill St., Georgetown 905.877.0133 INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. PAUL C. ARMSTRONG Terra Cotta Cookie Co. Ltd. 20 Armstrong Ave., Unit #1 Georgetown 905-877-4216 Visit our outlet store Mon-Fri 9 am 5 pm NO PEANUTS NO NUTS NEW NO GLUTEN! Gluten Free Items Fundraising Programs NEW A Touch of Perfection Create your own pottery in our hand and wheel work pottery classes. * Birthday Parties * Greenware * Bisque 15-A Fisherman Drive, Unit 24 Brampton, Ontario Between Sandalwood & Bovaird on Hurontario (905) 840-1333 Buy 3 Bisque Pots & get the 4th one HALF PRICE! (From Oct. 15- Nov. 15, 2007) Parenting Section, Friday, October 19, 2007 7