LAKEPORT – No, these pumpkins did not have swine flu, but they did “puke.”

The United Christian Parish (UCP) recently met night to explore the possibilities.

The event, designed for children in sixth through 12th grades, was a smashing success. One observer reported, “It was awesome!”

First the youth worked together on teams to carve all of the pumpkins into the Halloween grins and grimaces we love. Next the pumpkins of six teams were chosen to be a part of the experiment.

The crowd was directed to stand back and only the “scientists” wearing protective gear were allowed to approach the table. Each youth added a small portion of chemicals to the sitting cups inside the pumpkins. Everyone waited breathless as ghosts to see what would happen.

The reaction was dramatic. The pumpkins puked in Technicolor reds, blues and greens, and some of the pumpkins were completely overwhelmed and hidden by the ongoing chemical reaction. The ooze and ahs were as loud as the wind in a haunted wood.

Beyond the spectacular science these pumpkins had a tale to tell about tall tales. The moral of the story is that lies are like the puke of the pumpkins; once started they have a life of their own and grow and grow until the tale overwhelms the teller. Our goal is to be truth tellers not puking pumpkins. Although they were fun to watch, like lies the puke became toxic and ultimately destroyed the pumpkins.

UCP Youth Group meets at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month and is open to junior and senior high youth.

For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the church at 707-263-4788.