Bet Cut Short, Mailmen Decide to Pant in Winter

BERGENFIELD, N.J. — It was fun while it lasted, but two postal workers finally had to put their pants back on.

Steve Nason and Ron Filera had a 2-year-old bet to see who could last the longest wearing shorts while delivering mail through winter.

But last week, the two letter carriers ceremonially changed into long pants before heading out to cover their routes.

“I didn’t like it at all,” Nason said at the end of the day. “It was kind of warm outside, and the pants were so heavy. I’m thinking about spring already.”

The bet started before the winter of 1994, and the original prize was a case of beer. Both men made it through the winter in their summer uniform shorts, and the bet continued through 1995.

Both were given an award and $250 in appreciation of the positive press they brought to the post office and the charitable funds they were able to raise.