Halloween’s about both the scary and the sweet

Kristi O’Harran

Kristi’s Notebook

Think of children in brightly colored mittens scampering over green fields scooping up just the right pumpkin patch gourd.

Isn’t that a lovely picture? I guess it is, but I never drove my children to a pumpkin patch to pick out a special orange ball.

My kids thought pumpkins, just like Christmas trees, came from the front of a grocery store.

In my defense, though carving the pumpkin was a slapdash affair, my kids had the best costumes on the block. I spent weeks sewing, gluing sequins, painting, motorizing and customizing tramps, witches, ghosts and aliens.

Isn’t it nice when someone has a special connection to a holiday? John Marzolf, 51, makes Halloween a fantasy-filled but nonspooky occasion for children and adults alike.

Saturday, more than 35 guests will arrive at Marzolf’s ranch near Machias. I’ll give you an idea how great a place it is: You can go right up and pet Raleigh and Gary. Those are two bulls who graze in a field dotted with a dozen cows, two dogs and a cat.

"Everybody likes everybody here," Marzolf said. "We have no use for anyone who doesn’t like anyone."

Beside the pasture you see a hillside of green and orange pumpkins of all sizes. Step around, take a closer look, and you’ll see names imbedded into each sphere, like Tyler, Paige and Hannah.

Who made the pumpkins grow with special names that look like part of the shell?

" tell the children I carve their names on a seed," Marzolf said. "I plant the seed and see if it grows."

Old cynics know that isn’t how it happens, but children are delighted to think their name sprang from a seed. Marzolf wouldn’t tell me how he gets names etched on the sides of the pumpkins like pretty carvings on Fenton bowls.

He said he doesn’t want to give away all of his secrets. He said that with a wink that reminded me of another jolly person who makes holidays shine.

When Marzolf’s son bought a house nearby, Jonc brought material from a compost pile out to his parent’s ranch. Four pumpkins grew from the heap. Little Halloween visitors that year, Riley, Jessie and Meghan, all picked a pumpkin. Marzolf noticed one had a pretty scar that grew deep in the skin of the sphere. That’s when he perfected the theme of the annual party.

He’ll make spaghetti, and Jon will cook his famous chili. Gramma Shirley gets to find her orange ball. Adult friends Rick and April have a pumpkin. A friend named Jan, 55, gets excited each year.

Next year, there will be an honored guest. The Marzolfs are expecting their first grandchild in a few days. Soon-to-be Grandpa Marzolf doesn’t know if it’s going to be a boy or a girl.

If it’s a girl, one of next year’s pumpkins will read "Hannah Grace."

By day, Marzolf is a custom meat cutter and also is a first-call attendant for a funeral home. He rents out bulls Raleigh and Gary. You can guess what that’s all about. This city girl didn’t need any more information about the bull service.

For fun, Marzolf and his wife make a couple of trips each year to see their daughter, Erin, in Oklahoma. She spent a summer volunteering in the Midwest, stayed for college and now makes her home there.

Erin received a pumpkin in the mail with her name on it.

Marzolf said it cost $16 to post.

He didn’t mind one bit.

"I do this because it makes kids happy," he said. "I haven’t grown up yet."

Marzolf said it’s important that adults do little things for children.

As wonderful as Saturday’s party will be, there is more coming up. There will be a family Thanksgiving gathering, but Christmas is really the day he loves.

One can only imagine special touches he brings to December.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.