After 37 years in the Postal Service, San Diego’s new postmaster is right where she wants to be. Tanya Toedt Fitzharris joined USPS in 1987 as a part-time flexible letter carrier in Encinitas, CA. She steadily climbed the ranks, finally landing in her dream job last fall. At her swearing-in ceremony, Fitzharris encouraged employees to […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Mr. ZIP and several Postal Service employees recently appeared on a special featuring the popular children’s character Blippi. Where can you watch it? a) Cartoon Network b) Nickelodeon c) PBS Kids […]
Many people still turn to the U.S. Mail for their communication needs, but perhaps none more so than John Coffer. Coffer is a “wet-plate artist,” which means he uses a photographic technique that dates to the 1850s. He operates Camp Tintype in Dundee, NY, where people from around the world come to attend workshops and […]
Like always, Link published its share of memorable images in 2024. Here’s another look at some of the best photos, including shots from delivery routes, postal facilities and stamp dedication ceremonies. Select each image below to see a larger version. […]
Throughout the year, Link’s “On the Job” feature spotlighted Postal Service employees and their contributions to the organization. Among them: Kobi Logan, a Simpsonville, MD, retail associate who takes pride in meeting customers’ needs. “Customer service is not what you think it is. It’s whether the customers believe you are giving it,” he said. Likewise, […]
New Year’s Day, a time of reflection and renewal for people around the world, is Wednesday, Jan. 1. The celebration of a new year is a custom that can be traced to ancient civilizations, although the date often varied. The Julian calendar established Jan. 1 as the start of the new year, a practice that […]
The Postal Service has published biographies of two former postmasters general — Joseph Habersham, who served from 1795 to 1801, and John A.J. Creswell, who served from 1869 to 1874. Habersham, the sixth postmaster general, was nominated by President George Washington. He picked up where his predecessor, Timothy Pickering, left off, implementing the provisions of […]
Each week, Link’s “People” feature turns its attention to interesting employes in the Postal Service. This year, there was no shortage of subjects. Consider Gaylend “Zee” Zahn, a San Diego letter carrier who has a special assistant: Roman Toriello, a young man with special needs who enjoys helping Zahn on his route. Each day, Roman, […]
This special year-end edition of “News Quiz” will test your knowledge of Link stories published in 2024. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: USPS reported total operating revenue of (blank) during the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. a) $1.8 billion b) $9.5 billion c) $79.5 billion d) $89.5 […]
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Dec. 26, goes over the process of handling post-holiday returns. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included. Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues. […]
The Postal Service has entered the final days of this year’s peak delivery season, with employees across the nation working to ensure customers receive their holiday cards, letters and packages. The organization had accepted 9.65 billion mailpieces and packages by 8 a.m. Eastern on Dec. 24, according to an online counter that has been running […]
Christmas, the annual commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, is Wednesday, Dec. 25. Historians believe the holiday originated in Rome in the year 336. As Christianity spread across the world, the celebration of Christmas became more widespread and the holiday evolved to include both religious and cultural traditions, such as exchanging gifts, decorating trees […]
Johnnie McRae-Stephens made one of the most memorable deliveries of her career last Christmas. The Savannah, GA, letter carrier brought gifts to the home of a young military wife who had turned to the USPS Operation Santa program for help fulfilling the holiday wishes of her two children. Through USPS Operation Santa, generous people grant […]
As it has done for years, the Postal Service will implement a no-refund policy for Priority Mail Express packages shipped from Sunday, Dec. 22, through Wednesday, Dec. 25, under the following two conditions: • The one-day shipment was mailed between Dec. 22 and Dec. 25 and was delivered, and • Delivery was attempted or achieved […]
Read More… from USPS adjusts Priority Mail Express refund policy
Rural Carrier Associate Jaylen Lockhart, a recent Postmaster General Heroes’ Program honoree, was recently given the honor of lighting his hometown’s official Christmas tree. Lockhart has received recognition from the city of Aurora, IL, for helping 78-year-old resident Guy Miller after he fell while walking his dog. He comforted Miller and called for others to […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Many USPS-themed gifts are available this holiday season, including a Mr. ZIP Christmas ornament. How much does the ornament cost? a) $27.99 b) $31.99 c) $35.99 d) $39.99 2. The Winter […]
The Postal Service is reminding employees of federal ethics rules concerning group gifts and office gatherings. Here’s some general guidance: • Employees can pool their contributions for a group gift for someone — but only for special, infrequent occasions such as a retirement, transfer, marriage or the birth of a child. Group gifts are generally […]
The Thrift Savings Plan has launched a campaign called “Grow with the TSP” to remind participants of the value of compound interest when investing and saving for retirement. The Postal Service matches employee contributions to the TSP up to 5 percent of basic pay. Participants must contribute at least 5 percent of their pay to […]
The Postal Service has announced more stamp releases for 2025: • Freshwater Fishing Lures, five stamps that will feature brightly detailed photographs of five lures; • Battlefields of the American Revolution, a pane of 15 stamps that will mark the 250th anniversary of the start of the revolution; • Powwows: Celebrating Native American Culture, four […]
Holiday movies aren’t just for getting into the spirit of the season — they also offer useful mailing and shipping reminders. Here are five examples: • Christmas cards can spark or rekindle relationships. In the 2021 Hallmark Channel movie “Open by Christmas,” a woman (Alison Sweeney) visits her parents’ home and finds an unopened holiday […]
Read More… from These holiday films are gifts that keep on giving
Postal Service employes who want to change their health coverage or enroll in a new plan must act now. Open season, the annual period when USPS employees can make benefits changes, ends Friday, Dec. 13, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern. This is the deadline to enroll in or make changes to the Postal Service Health Benefits […]
Read More… from Want to change your health benefits? Act now
A group of Postal Service employees appear in the new holiday video with Blippi, a popular children’s character with his own YouTube channel, and Mr. ZIP. The employees filmed the 18-minute video in Santa Clarita, CA, in August, alongside Clayton Grimm, who performs as Blippi. “The experience was amazing,” said Lebec, CA, Postmaster Jamie Wright, […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Even though employees of Canada Post are on strike, U.S. customers can still mail items to Canada at their local Post Offices. a) True b) False 2. True […]
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy testified before the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability on Dec. 10. The title of the hearing was “Oversight of the U.S. Postal Service.” The Postmaster General’s opening statement and full testimony are on the USPS Newsroom website. DeJoy’s full testimony from the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs […]
Read More… from PMG remarks to House, Senate committees available
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published Dec. 12, offers tips on dealing with ice, snow and cold weather. Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included. Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues. […]
Read More… from Postal Bulletin reminds us that winter is coming
My name is RaeLee Curtis and I’m a rural carrier in Monroe, UT — where I’ve worked for 30 years. I love serving my customers. It means a lot to know people trust and respect me to deliver for them. I’m also active in my community beyond delivering mail and packages. I coach youth basketball […]
The Postal Service offers a variety of seasonal stamps for this year’s holidays. Here’s a look at 12 of them available at usps.com and many Post Offices: • Christmas Madonna and Child. This 2024 stamp features an oil painting from the workshop of the 17th century Italian artist Giovanni Battista Salvi, known as “Sassoferrato.” • […]
The Postal Service has sent a mailer to customers’ homes to promote the organization’s holiday season products and services. The highlights include an overview of shipping options, stamps and recommended mailing and shipping dates. The mailer also includes a QR code to sign up for USPS Informed Delivery. […]
Read More… from New mailer touts seasonal products, services
Stephen Kochersperger, the USPS historian, recently appeared on the “Real Virginia” TV show to discuss New Deal murals in the Petersburg and Strasburg Post Offices. From 1934 to 1943, the federal government commissioned nearly 850 artists to paint high-quality murals. The goal was to produce uplifting art that would be accessible to everyone. The murals […]
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. What percentage of the nation’s population currently receives their mail and packages in fewer than three days? a) 75 percent b) 86 percent c) 92 percent d) 98 percent 2. The […]