BY LOREEN BERLIN: Stanton City Councilman David Shawver and wife Jennifer hosted a Halloween pumpkin carving party and dinner at their home for friends and community members Saturday, Oct. 24.
It was a "Bring your own pumpkin and carve it on site” event, after which a dinner fit for youngsters of hot dogs and hamburgers, along with steak and chicken for the adults, was served and prizes awarded for the best carvings in four categories.
It's a family tradition that has been taking place for 38 years.
BY LOREEN BERLIN: Stanton City Councilman David Shawver and wife Jennifer hosted a Halloween pumpkin carving party and dinner at their home for friends and community members Saturday, Oct. 24.
It was a "Bring your own pumpkin and carve it on site” event, after which a dinner fit for youngsters of hot dogs and hamburgers, along with steak and chicken for the adults, was served and prizes awarded for the best carvings in four categories.
It's a family tradition that has been taking place for 38 years.
”We've held this since our children were young and now our grandchildren are participating," Jennifer said. "At first, it was just our family and it was such fun, but as they grew older, we had to make it more interesting, so we included more friends and neighbors and prizes to keep it interesting.
"Now, our children have children who are old enough to participate and so it's been a lot of fun over the years.
The four top prize-winners each garnered $20 cash, which the Shawvers say makes it interesting and competitive.
"One month before the party, they each start figuring out what they're going to do for their pumpkin and a lot of strategy goes into it," Jennifer said. "It's been wonderful and we have pictures from the past years. It’s gotten better and better and it's a fun and a good way to get together as a family and do the carving and be a kid again."
Carving began at 4 p.m., with judging just before 6 p.m.
Stanton City Councilwoman Carol Warren has been a judge for the past seven years.
"Jennifer does a wonderful job of planning this and puts on a lot of events for David as a councilman; she's an unsung hero," Warren said.
