Martha Carson, Guysville, OH
I enjoyed “The List” of memorable Love stamps. The 1986 puppy love stamp is a favorite of mine. I still have a replica pin of the stamp. […]
Katie Howard
Posts by Katie Howard
Birthday presence
Letter Carrier David Wallasky knew a customer on his route was diligent about picking up his mail, so last spring when he saw the man had three days’ worth of mail sitting untouched, he knew something was off. Wallasky alerted Iowa Park, TX, Postmaster Bruce Donald, who contacted the town’s police department. Officers were dispatched […]
Pride of place
A painting of Benjamin Franklin — the nation’s first Postmaster General — has a place of prominence in President Joe Biden’s White House. The 1785 portrait by Joseph Siffred Duplessis hangs in the Oval Office, just to the left of the Resolute Desk. The Franklin painting, along with a nearby moon rock, are intended to […]
Mail Handlers
The USPS Small Business Sales team will promote the Mail Handlers employee lead program throughout February. USPS districts will focus on the program with new time clock fliers and short stand-up talks on three of the month’s four Mondays. The Mail Handlers program allows postal mail handlers to submit information about businesses they think could […]
Missed the deadline?
If you filled out a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) pledge form but were unable to submit it before the Jan. 15 deadline, you still have time. Although the campaign has concluded, due to extraordinary circumstances stemming from the coronavirus pandemic, CFC organizers will continue to count paper pledge forms that are mailed now through mid-February. […]
Be heart smart
February is American Heart Month, a time to learn more about heart disease, the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. The most common type of heart disease is coronary artery disease, which affects blood flow to the heart. Heart attacks occur when the heart muscle doesn’t receive enough blood. […]
Upstanding citizen
Letter Carrier Robert Giles was recently delivering mail in a Sylvania, OH, neighborhood when he came across an older couple in need of a helping hand at their home. After their garbage had been picked up, one of the customers had gone outside to retrieve their trash cans and had taken a spill. His wife […]
Brit Shea, Puyallup, WA
I’m in love with the Tap Dance stamps that USPS announced this month. I’m looking forward to them being available for purchase. […]
Where are you?
The start of a new year is a good time to make sure the Postal Service has your contact information. If you work for USPS, you’re required to provide your current mailing address. This allows the organization to send you communications about health, payroll, benefits and other important matters. You can use the Life Changes […]
Taking action
A retail associate’s talk with a customer in the lobby at the Irving, TX, Post Office has resulted in $27,000 in estimated annualized revenue for the Postal Service. The customer, a local landscaping company owner, was looking for low-cost direct advertising. Brittany Johnson, the retail associate, submitted a lead through the Clerks Care program. Jenny […]
New prices
Several Postal Service price changes will take effect Sunday, Jan. 24. Here are the current and new retail prices: • First-Class Mail letters (additional ounces): 15 cents (current), 20 cents (new) • First-Class Mail letters (metered 1 ounce): 50 cents (current), 51 cents (new) • First-Class Mail domestic postcard stamps: 35 cents (current), 36 cents […]
Mary Dando, Indianapolis
The Just a Kind Note project highlighted in the “Hopeful messages” is a wonderful idea. We all need to know that someone cares, especially during the coronavirus pandemic. […]
Goff’s course of action
Rural Carrier Tiffany Goff was recently delivering mail to a residence in Jasper, FL, when she heard an older customer yelling for help. Goff spotted the woman lying on the ground outside and rushed to check on her. The Postal Service employee found the customer covered in insects after falling several hours earlier near an […]
Here and there
How much do you know about the Postal Service’s areas and regions? To operate more efficiently and better serve customers, the organization recently consolidated its seven delivery and retail operations areas to four: Atlantic, Central, Southern and Western Pacific. Chief Retail and Delivery Officer Kristin Seaver oversees the areas, which focus on the acceptance and […]
Security measures
The Postal Service wants you to remember that the safety and security of the U.S. Mail, facilities, vehicles and your co-workers are a shared responsibility. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind: • Positive identification. Postal Service photo IDs should be recent, in good condition and displayed by all employees. Managers and supervisors should […]
New gigs
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the USPS leadership ranks: • Robin Lanier, social customer response team leader at Postal Service headquarters in Washington, DC, retired Dec. 31 after 34 years with the organization. • Richard Sowdon, business evaluation manager at USPS headquarters, was named acting capital investments and business analysis director. • […]
Enduring Love
The Postal Service’s Love series has staying power. Its stamps have graced innumerable valentines, wedding invitations and greetings from Grandma since the series debuted in 1973. Here are six of the most memorable: 1. Robert Indiana’s “Love.” The stamp that started it all. Indiana created his iconic “love” design, with the tilted “o”, for a […]
Mark Kleinberg, Tucson, AZ
“Hopeful messages” was a very inspiring story about Just a Kind Note, a project that sends positive messages in the mail to brighten someone’s day. During these difficult times, it’s wonderful to read such a positive story. […]
More stamps
The Postal Service has announced more of this year’s planned stamp releases. Here’s what’s coming: • Yogi Berra, which will salute one of the best and most celebrated baseball players of his era; • Ursula K. Le Guin, a Literary Arts release honoring the science fiction and fantasy writer who died in 2018; • Emilio […]
Reaching out
The Postal Service is celebrating its lead-sharing program for rural carriers with its third annual Rural Reach Day on Jan. 24. Because this year’s Rural Reach Day falls on a Sunday, USPS districts will hold events throughout the week to thank rural carriers for participating in the program, which has brought in nearly $728.9 million […]
Gone in a Flash
Adobe is no longer supporting Flash Player, a tool used to bring animation, video and other multimedia experiences to the internet. Postal Service applications that use Flash, including screensavers and some training courses, may not function properly. Multiple teams are working to determine the best course of action for the affected programs. Flash debuted in […]
Drive safely
The Postal Service wants employees to drive safely during winter, a time of year that presents unique challenges. Wet and icy road surfaces; longer periods of darkness; and poor visibility from snow, rain and fog create driving hazards during winter. To stay safe, here are some tips: • Maintain your vehicle and tune up the […]
Love to save?
USPS is offering a discount on Hallmark greeting cards at select Post Offices. Through Feb. 14, customers can save $1 when purchasing two Hallmark greeting cards. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers. A coupon is required for purchase. […]
Calm for couple
City Carrier Assistant Brandon Dickinson was recently delivering mail in a Peoria, IL, neighborhood when he encountered two customers experiencing a crisis at their home. As Dickinson approached the residence, a woman flung open the front door, frantically seeking help for her husband, who had collapsed on stairs inside. The Postal Service employee reassured the […]
Kimberly Freeborough, Richmond, VA
I really enjoyed “Call him Mr. Lucky,” the article about Columbus, OH, Mail Expeditor Joseph Clark celebrating a 65-year postal career. Kudos for a job well done. […]
Text message mischief
The Postal Inspection Service has a message for consumers: Don’t become a “smishing” victim. The law enforcement agency is warning the public about the scam — short for SMS phishing — in which fraudsters impersonate banks, credit card companies and even the Postal Service in text messages to lure recipients into divulging personal financial data. […]
Virtual events
The USPS Ethics Office is providing guidance for Postal Service employees on participating in virtual events held by other organizations. Many such events are being conducted over video or audioconferencing platforms rather than in person because of the coronavirus pandemic. A virtual event is a gift if it has monetary value. If a virtual event’s […]
Climbing the ranks
Here’s a look at some recent changes in the USPS leadership ranks: • Steve Laird, the Westchester, NY, Processing and Distribution Center’s in-plant support manager, was named the Northern New Jersey Metro Processing and Distribution Center’s acting plant manager. Frantz Lauture, the New Jersey facility’s plant manager, was named the Westchester facility’s acting plant manager. […]
Man of multitudes
It may seem that not much more can be said about a towering figure such as Martin Luther King Jr., but the man contained multitudes. To mark Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 18, here are a few lesser-known facts about the civil rights giant: 1. King came from a family of preachers. His […]
Rapids response
Letter Carrier Gail Ruthruff was recently delivering mail in a Grand Rapids, MI, neighborhood when she spotted an 80-year-old customer lying on the floor inside his residence. Ruthruff knocked on the man’s window and got no response. Finding the front door unlocked, she hurried inside to check on him, called 911 and stayed with him […]