ABOUT THE PUMPKIN SHELL

My great grandmother was my first influence as a writer. She wrote many stories, plays, poems, and even drafted an autobiography. On the third floor of her Victorian mansion was a tiny room she called, "The Pumpkin Shell." This is where she wrote and kept her precious works tucked safely away. Originally, the room was just extra space between walls, a place where the corners of the house all came together. Somewhere in time, the area was framed in and a door added to cover the awkward angles. It was the perfect writing place. The low slanted ceiling, odd shaped walls, and painted pale orange color gave one the feeling of being inside a pumpkin, thus the name. When I was seven, I thought the room was magical, and oh, how I loved that room. I would sneak in there when no one was looking! I've written many things over the years and have published several projects under the name Pumpkin Shell Publishing in memory of her wonderful writing place. It only seemed fitting to give Pumpkin Shell Publishing a home…thus The Pumpkin Shell!!

The Policy:

Our policy is very simple -- We believe that your personal information is just that...personal. Any information you entrust us with is confidential and will NOT be given out. The Pumpkin Shell has never, does not, and will not sell, disseminate, or otherwise share that information with any third party. You will not be sold to any mailing lists! Also, you will not be contacted by The Pumpkin Shell in the future for any reason, except for a follow up letter (if you were a purchaser) inviting you to sign the Guest Book, unless you request help through the Help menu.

The Technology:

We are committed to providing you with a safe and pleasant online shopping experience. Our shopping cart software, PAYPAL, employs secure encryption technology to prevent theft, manipulation, or other alteration of any information which you provide to us.

It was over ten years ago when I created my first Scavenger Hunt. I had learned of the children's game years before from my mother and decided to try it out on my friends. The first Scavenger Hunt I hosted was fairly simple, and I had it in my own neighborhood - Girls against Guys. I wasn't sure if the game would even be any fun, so my friends were like guinea pigs! My fears were over when the players came bounding in the door, neck and neck, at midnight. The two teams were racing to be first - but getting ahead just in time - the Guys won. The players carried on excitedly for hours afterward, recounting their escapades over and over to anyone who would listen. I knew then the game was a success.

Scavenger Hunts are great fun because the game is interactive - it requires players to not only engage their minds intellectually and creatively while physically on the move, but also to cooperate with other players. Scavenger Hunting uses all of a person's senses, and for a short while, players "make believe." This is a great stress reducer! Children engage in this type of activity daily, but adults having to deal with every day issues lose out on their time to "make believe." Participating in a Scavenger Hunt is like being a kid again!