Blog entries - October 2007

Ladies and gentlemen (and vloggers), we have a winner

BlazeBlogger

The long-awaited results of the Blaze YouTube Video Contest are in. Competition was fierce and there were a number of outstanding entries, but the one entered by Dolores Spero and her father Allan Way was tops according to the judges. The pair will soon be the proud owners of a 42-inch Hitachi 1080i plasma television, a Toshiba 1080i HD DVD player, and a collection of classic Halloween DVDs, all courtesy of K104.7.

Great job folks!!

You can check out the winning entr [...]

Meet the Carvers #9: Cristal Rose Stevens

BlazeBlogger

Blaze carver Cristal Rose Stevens tells the blog about all things pumpkin, including her very good friend, Alfred.

BB: What's your day job?
CS: I'm an art student at SUNY Purchase, musician, chef, stilt-walker, and freestyle rapper.
BB: A Jill of all trades.
CS: Absolutely. And I've worked at Van Cortlandt Manor since I wa [...]

YouTube winner will be announced Monday

BlazeBlogger

I've just learned that Historic Hudson Valley will be announcing the winner of the Blaze YouTube Video Contest on Monday. The talented winning videographer will be receiving a 42-inch flat screen TV, high def DVD player and a bunch of DVDs, courtesy of K104.7. Not a bad haul considering he/she also got to check out the Blaze!

The judges were pretty thrilled with the quality of the entries and are taking a few more days to decide. But, Monday I'm told will be the official [...]

Meet the Carvers #8: Vernon "Vern" Ford

BlazeBlogger

Vernon "Vern" Ford has spent several evenings doing carving demonstrations at Blaze. He took some time off to participate in our MtC series.

BB: What's your day job?
VF: I'm a graphic designer, real estate sales agent, and writer of short stories and poetry.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
[...]

Tivo alert: Big Blaze segment tomorrow on The Martha Stewart Show!

BlazeBlogger

Yes, The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze is a good thing. And now Martha Stewart will make sure the world knows it...or at least her very devoted fan base.

Tomorrow's Martha Stewart Show will feature a lengthy segment on Blaze and Celtic knot carving. First, you'll see footage from Blaze that the good folks at Martha shot last [...]

Meet the Carvers #7: Renatta Minnerly

BlazeBlogger

Renatta Minnerly took some time to share her thoughts about all things pumpkin for our MtC series.

BB: What's your day job?

RM: I'm retired, so I get to do whatever I want.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?

RM: Skeletons, bats, heads, and hands.

BB: Are you wo [...]

Meet the Carvers #6: Inge Taub

BlazeBlogger

Our next carver is Inge Taub.

BB: What's your day job?
IT: I'm a retired nurse, and now I'm an interpreter at Van Cortlandt Manor.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
IT: Faces for the labyrinth

BB: Are you working on any other Blaze-related items?
IT: I am helping with [...]

Blaze and Legend are cancelled on Friday, Oct. 19 :-(

BlazeBlogger

Due to the extreme weather conditions in Westchester County this evening, Historic Hudson Valley is canceling both The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze and Legend Weekend for Friday, Oct. 19.

Obviously, this is extremely disappointing news for everyone.

But, ticket holders are getting an AUTOMATIC full refund applied to their credit card. There is no need to call or e-mail. Ticket holders for tonight are encouraged to book another separate reservation. (You can [...]

Been to Blaze, eh? Well, how about Legend?

BlazeBlogger

Already been to Blaze but STILL need a Halloween fix? Legend Weekend may be just what the witch doctor (heh heh) has ordered. Legend takes place at Philipsburg Manor in the iconic burg of Sleepy Hollow, just south of Croton (via Briarcliff) and right on Route 9.

Legend Weekend is a classic Halloween event that's l [...]

Quick update on the YouTube contest

BlazeBlogger

The contest is closed and the entries are in (and they are blazing). When will the winner be announced? Next Thursday. Not tonight, sorry folks. I know, I know, you're disappointed. But, patience is a virtue.

More carver profiles and Blaze photos and whatnot coming tomorrow...

Meet the Carvers #5: Janice Shields

BlazeBlogger

Joining us now on the "carving board" (heh heh) is Janice Shields.

BB: What's your day job?
JS: Working right here at Van Cortlandt Manor.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
JS: This and that.
BB: You give nothing away!
JS: I know.

BB: Are you working on an [...]

Meet the Carvers #4: Tom Hunt

BlazeBlogger

Next up in our carver hot seat is Tom Hunt, a profile I know many of you are dying to read. Yes, this is the guy behind (below?) the chandeliers!

BB: What's your day job?
TH: I'm an interpreter and blacksmith at Van Cortlandt Manor.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
TH: Aliens and geeks.

[...]

Reminder, YouTube it, and you might win it

BlazeBlogger

A quick reminder to those visiting tonight, tomorrow, Saturday or Sunday...Bring along a video camera (or a still camera, I suppose) and shoot some footage.

Edit it into a three minute or less video and post it on YouTube for a chance to win a plasma television, DVD player, and a bunch of DVDs, courtesy of K104.7.

You need to ha [...]

Getting your hands on tickets (and how to get in when they�re gone)

BlazeBlogger

Blaze ticket demand is rather brisk, which has led to several sold out nights well in advance and lots of posts here and elsewhere from people looking for tickets. But there is still PLENTY of availability, just not on Fridays and Saturdays. Here's a handy recap:

Weekend #2 (#1 is past, and it sold out entirely): Comprising Thursday [...]

Meet the Carvers #3: Sybil Grieco

BlazeBlogger

And for the third installment of our MtC series, we have Sybil Grieco.

BB: What's your day job?
SG: I'm a museum educator at Van Cortlandt Manor.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
SG: Everything and nothing.

BB: Are you working on any other Blaze-related items?
SG: I do set-up and teard [...]

Ticket printing...YouTubing...

BlazeBlogger

The Powers o' Blaze Tickets have asked me to pass along this message to those of you coming to Blaze this month (everybody, right?). If for some reason you are having difficulty printing your "print-at-home" tickets (that PDF link you should have received), don't sweat it, or panic, or post panicked messages on the Blaze Blog. Rather, s [...]

Slithering into it

BlazeBlogger

As anyone who even occasionally glances at this blog knows, Blaze begins tonight. Last-minute preparations are going fast and furious. Our slithering friend on the left is definitely ready for viewing. This shot was taken at last night's dry-run.

Tickets for this weekend are almost entirely gone. Some availability remains for 9 p.m. tonight and Sun [...]

Meet the Carvers #2: J. Dorene Picker

BlazeBlogger

Next up in the MtC series is Dorene Picker, assistant art director to Michael Natiello.

BB: What's your day job?
JDP: Lots of Blaze functions, working as an interpreter and security guard at Van Cortlandt Manor, professional mixologist, and full-time grad student.

BB: What kind of carvings are you working on for Blaze 2007?
JDP: A bit [...]

October 13...going, going, gone

BlazeBlogger

October 13 has just gone the way of October 20: Sold out.

Three more days and four more photos

BlazeBlogger

As you can probably imagine, the Blaze bees are in serious overdrive mode this week, buzzing around the hive that is Van Cortlandt Manor, with the event kicking off THIS Friday. Lots to do, of course, and lots getting done. Below: a smattering of images to further whet your pumpkin appetite.

Clockwise from top left you're seeing the outer bounds of what is in the process of becoming an elaborate labyrinth (or maze, not sure yet. And the difference is what, exactly?). Visitors [...]