MAIL ‘EM: Just last year, we had a failed attempt to send leeks
through the U.S. mail system. The postmaster called to inform us
our package was waiting for us – outside.

Now, however, comes a bona fide solution passed along by one of
our readers. We were on the right track last year, it appears.

Our informant showed us a vacuum sealed package of, in this
case, sassafras. There was absolutely no smell. He said he had used
the same process to mail leeks to a relative in Texas. They had
arrived pretty much intact, leaving a very happy nephew at the
other end.

Here’s his system perfected through trial and error:

When you get the leeks, knock off the chunks of mud but it’s
better if you don’t wash them clean. Moisture inside the vacuum
seal could make the leeks mushy. The leeks should be dry – or as
dry as possible.

Our friend has used the “Seal a Meal” system for the vacuum
sealing itself. Be sure that all of the leek material is sealed
completely. Our error last year was leaving a tiny bit of leaf
sticking out through – and, as we discovered – breaking the
seal.

Next, cold pack the sealed leaks with insulated bags. Mail them,
of course, with a speedy arrival time.

The happy recipient in Texas had a couple mushy leeks but the
rest arrived intact and quite tasty.

Apparently, our reader uses the same vacuum process to preserve
even squirrel meal for lengthy periods of time.

We are anxious to try this – next year, of course.

Meanwhile, we thanked our reader for sharing his secret. His
discovery of this method may not be tantamount to coming up with a
cure for cancer, but it’s close.

DOWN THE ROAD: Several readers contacted us Monday with a slight
correction to our recent report about the Firestone store in
Bradford.

We had said the store moved from Congress Street to its current
location but, actually, there was a stop in between. Its next move
was farther down on Bolivar Drive in the current location of the
Lighthouse Restaurant. It moved to the current 26 Bolivar Drive
slot after J.C. Penney Co. vacated its auto department store at
that site.

We hope this sets the record straight, and thanks to all our
callers.