REAL SIMPLIFIER

SPECIAL HALLOWEEN EDITION

UNCOMMON KNOWLEDGE FOR MODERN TIMES

Written by Brandi Broxson Photograph by Roland Bello

INSIDE SCOOP FROM A PUMPKIN PRO

You don’t know jack (o’-lantern) till you’ve taken advice from master carver Tom Nardone, the author of the book Extreme Pumpkins.

• TRADE IN YOUR TOOLS.

Flimsy blade in the carving kit isn’t, well, cutting it?

Pull out a fillet knife. It’s sturdy and nimble at navigating nooks and crannies. (Adults only.)

Map out a design with a dry-erase marker, not a Sharpie, so you can wipe away mistakes.

• FLIP YOUR GOURD. Cut the hole for the light in the pumpkin’s bottom, where the skin is softer and easier to penetrate. For safety’s sake, use a glow stick or a batteryoperated votive in place of a real flame.

• SCARE OFF THE SQUIRRELS.

They love pumpkin seeds, so be meticulous about scraping out every last one. An ice cream scoop works wonders here. • MAKE IT LAST. After carving, spray the inside and the outside with a bathroom cleaner that contains bleach. It wards off critters, flies, and mold and helps the pumpkin hold up twice as long (about 8 to 10 days in cold climates; up to four in warm ones). Skip this step if you have pets.