10/30/2009 7:40:02 AM

Comments (0)

By Heather J. Carlson
Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN 

It all started so innocently for Bill Habedank.

	Jack-o-lanterns are man's 'addiction' 'Pumpkin Man's annual jack-o-lantern display will be lit every night through Nov. 3 at the home of Bill and Judy Habedank, 1913 Grandview Ave. in Red Wing. The display is free, but Habedank does collect donations for area food shelves, pet food shelves and the American Red Cross.

At first, he just did it a couple of times a year. Soon, the addiction took hold. And now the Red Wing man has become a certified pumpkin carving addict.

"It's just fun to create something and then put a light in and see what you've got. Most of them look pretty cool," Habedank.

For 34 years, Habedank has been honing his pumpkin-carving craft, creating displays of intricately carved pumpkins that draw people from miles away. This year is no different. Habedank has more than 130 pumpkins that will be on display at his Red Wing home. People are invited to come at night to check out the glowing spectacle for themselves.

"I just like to see people enjoy it and I enjoy creating them, too," the 62-year-old said.

>In the beginning, Habedank said he tended to carve traditional pumpkin faces. Over time, those creations got more creative and varied. All year, he collects pictures from magazines and newspapers, along with pumpkin patterns downloaded online, for his yearly display. This year's pumpkins included a portrait of Chief Red Wing, an image from the movie "Twilight" and a headless horseman along with traditional jack-o-lantern faces.

Over time, Habedank said he got into growing pumpkins, which fed his hobby. He harvests the pumpkins at the start of the month. And in one week, he spends 14 hours a day carving pumpkins. He then stores the pumpkins at a walk-in freezer at a drive-in that is closed for the year.

The man known as "Pumpkin Man" said there is no way he could do this without the help of his wife, Judy, and 26 volunteers who came out to help scoop pumpkins, carve them and set up the display.

"I am already 62 now, and it's very intense physical labor. I couldn't do it without the volunteers," he said.

Patty Brown, interim manager at the Red Wing Area Chamber of Commerce, said the pumpkin display has become a family tradition started when her kids were little. Now in their 20s and teens, her children still want to go.

"They are just so elaborate," she said of the creations. "They are amazing to see."

-->

In the beginning, Habedank said he tended to carve traditional pumpkin faces. Over time, those creations got more creative and varied. Read about it in Friday's print edition.

--

There are 0 comments - Display All Comments