Community steps up for pumpkin carver

WAUPACA, Wis. (WLUK) - Around this time of year, Jim Miller is better known as the "Pumpkin Man."

"I will pick a pumpkin out and then I'll try to match a pattern to the pumpkin," said Miller, as he showed FOX 11 his uncarved pumpkins.

For the last decade, Miller has displayed 100 intricately carved and shaved pumpkins on his front lawn. Not only is he the artist, he also grows the pumpkins at his home just outside of Waupaca.

"It's a passion. I would say a passion. I don't consider it art. A lot of people do," said Miller.

The display has become a popular Halloween stop for families. But this year, Miller had to call it off after suffering a serious work accident.

"My head was kind of crushed and pinned, so I ended up losing my ear and they reattached my ear," said Miller.

As word spread about the accident, people started talking about how they could keep the tradition going.

"Since Jim can't carve for us, we're all going to carve for him," said Mary Feldt, a teacher at Waupaca Learning Center.

Teachers and students at Waupaca Learning Center spent this week working on their own pumpkin creations.

"We have these little face things, like noses, eyes and ears and you stick them in the pumpkins," said Daysie Carlson, a third grader at WLC.

They decided they would give Mr. Miller a Halloween display after all.

"People would have been really disappointed not to see any pumpkins out this year," said Bryce Schuelke, a third grader at WLC.

"This may be one of the biggest displays the Millers have had, probably won't be the best one because no one carves better than Jim does. But we want to pay it forward for him," said Feldt.

Pumpkins in hand, community members started showing up at Miller's house Thursday morning. It was a heartwarming surprise.

"It just tells you how nice this community really is," said Miller.

No trick... people wanted to show having Miller's pumpkins every year has been a treat.