Megan describes her piece,“In the autumn season in CT, it is a tradition for families to go to pumpkin farms and pick out a few pumpkins to bring home.They may be used for decoration, cooking, or other ideas. The scene is one that is taking place in my area right now.”

The name pumpkin originated from the Greek word for “large melon” which is “pepon.” It was changed by the French to “pompon.” The English changed “pompon” to “Pumpion.” American colonists changed “pumpion” into “pumpkin.”

Some pumpkin fun facts:

• The traditional American pumpkin (the field variety) is grown in Connecticut
• Eighty percent of the pumpkin supply in the United States is available in October
• Over1.1 billion pounds are produced every year throughout the USA
• Pumpkin production is a $151 million dollars industry
• The “pumpkin” is referred to in The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater andCinderella

For information on how pumpkins are used around the world go to this link:http://www.pumpkinnook.com//commune/world.htm