Jack-O-Lanterns and local holiday creations

By Brandie Majeau
The Halloween tradition of carving faces into pumpkins and illuminating them
with candles has its roots in an old European legend known as “Stingy Jack” or & “Jack of
the Lantern.” This tale tells of a clever, yet deceitful man named Jack, whose cunning
nature led to his eventual downfall. Due to his mischievous deeds, he was denied entry
into both Heaven and Hell. Through his trickery, he managed to outsmart the Devil,
preventing him from claiming Jack’s soul. As a result, Jack was condemned to wander
the earth for all eternity, forever searching for peace. At one point, the Devil took pity on
Jack and offered him an ember from the depths of Hell to light his way through the
darkness. Jack placed this glowing ember inside a hollowed-out turnip and created a
makeshift lantern to guide him through the night.
Originally, Europeans carved ghastly faces into these turnips or even potatoes,
placing candles within them on Halloween night. It was believed that these eerie,
glowing faces, strategically positioned in windows and on doorsteps, would ward off the
spirit of Stingy Jack and other malevolent entities that roamed the night.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants carried
these ancient customs across the Atlantic Ocean. Upon their arrival, they discovered
the pumpkin—a fruit native to North America—that was far easier to hollow out than the
sturdy turnip. This led to the blending of old-world traditions with new world resources,
giving rise to the modern-day Jack-O-Lantern. Today, this iconic symbol has become
synonymous with Halloween, embodying the spirit of the holiday, and inviting both fright
and festivity.
Traditions and activities celebrating Halloween vary widely across the globe,
across the vast landscapes of Canada to the heart of individual communities. Rather
than view the occasion through the lens of frightening figures or ominous carved turnips,
it is important to recognize the festive spirit and creativity that have transformed
Halloween celebrations over the years. In the small town of Radway, the Lions Club
hosted its fourth annual pumpkin carving event, an enchanting evening filled with joy
and laughter, where families gathered to unleash their artistic flair on plump, orange
pumpkins. Meanwhile, the Radway Library embraced the Halloween spirit with a
delightful crafting day that elevated the beloved pastime of building with LEGO into a
whimsical celebration of the season, allowing participants to create spooky scenes and
imaginative decorations that brought a sense of wonder and excitement to the holiday.