Mailing Pumpkins

Reporter Charmaine Smith-Miles of the Anderson, South Carolina Independent Mail writes, "Mary Busey toted five one-pound pumpkins in a baking pan and set them down on the counter at the main Anderson branch of the U.S. Post Office on a recent morning, and waited for the stamps to go on their marker-painted surfaces. By the end of the labeling, about half of the pumpkins were covered with the labels that will help postal workers get them to their intended destinations."

"Those pumpkins are Busey's unique way of wishing her four children and a dear friend a happy Halloween," pens Smith-Miles. "Forget a greeting card. This has a more personal touch, Busey said.To start with, the pumpkins are decorated with their own artwork, drawn by Busey."

According to the article, "The unique care package started when Busey's oldest child, Barbara, left home for college in 1972. Then as the other three children left home, she followed suit by sending each of them a pumpkin in time for Halloween."

U.S. Postal Service regulations allow for certain perishables to be shipped within the United States as long as they are labeled appropriately and the person shipping the item understands the risks involved.

Busey is quoted as saying, "In 40 years, I've only had four that were smashed."

To read the entire article, click here.