Walter Stokes II, Baltimore
“In his shoes,” the article about the teenage girl who followed in her late father’s postal footsteps, was first class. Hats off to her father’s great co-workers for making it happen. […]
Shawn Selby
Posts by Shawn Selby
Bold colors
The Postal Service will release stamps honoring abstract artist Ellsworth Kelly on Friday, May 31. In a career that spanned 70 years, Kelly (1923-2015) pioneered a distinctive style of abstraction based on real elements reduced to their essential forms. His art — which included painting, sculpture and works on paper — was characterized by precise […]
Greeting cards news
Buy and save. USPS is offering a discount on greeting cards at Post Offices and other locations where greeting cards are sold. Customers will save $1 when they buy two Hallmark greeting cards through June 16. Customers must present a coupon to receive the discount. The in-store coupons, which will be available at greeting cards […]
Service with a smile
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Fill in the blank: Lomita, CA, Retail Associate Maria Medina, the subject of the latest “On the Job” profile, regularly (blank). a) Distributes mail and packages b) Helps customers […]
On the ball
St. Louis Letter Carrier Edward Rader was enjoying time off from work in February when the day’s events took a serious turn. Rader was playing indoor soccer with a group of senior citizens, and a fellow athlete collapsed. While 911 was called, Rader helped perform CPR on the man. Paramedics soon arrived and took the […]
Sheryl Denny, Paterson, NJ
I have tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat after reading “In his shoes,” the article about Elaina Ficarra, the New Jersey girl who recently got to follow in her late father’s postal footsteps for a day. What a great experience for Elaina. I’m so lucky to be part of our big, […]
Making a splash
The Postal Service celebrated the nation’s rivers last week. During a dedication ceremony for the Wild and Scenic Rivers stamp pane, USPS leaders and others discussed the organization’s efforts to highlight nature’s beauty and grandeur. “As one of America’s most admired public service institutions, the Postal Service has long celebrated our nation’s rich heritage through […]
International inquiries
The Postal Service has updated its international inquiries online application to better serve customers. U.S. customers who are registered usps.com users may now file an international inquiry regarding their lost or damaged packages. If the result of the inquiry is claim-eligible, an international claim will be initiated automatically. The update changed the international inquiries online application […]
Pulse check
Employees have about two weeks to complete the latest Postal Pulse, the survey that USPS uses to help improve its workplaces. The survey measures engagement, which refers to employees’ overall approach to their work, including their involvement, enthusiasm and commitment. It takes about 5 minutes to complete the survey, which has 13 questions and a comment […]
State of the art
The Postal Service will release stamps this week honoring Ellsworth Kelly, making him the latest artist to have his work showcased by USPS. Here are five others. 1. Georgia O’Keeffe. Issued in 1996, a 32-cent stamp features a rendering of O’Keeffe’s 1927 painting “Red Poppy.” O’Keeffe, with her eye for size, color and detail, is […]
‘So conscientious’
Rural Carrier Associate Bridget Lipp was delivering mail in March on an isolated dead-end road in Abrams, WI, when she spotted a 95-year-old customer, Alma Rowell, on the ground outside her home. Lipp rushed to aid Rowell, who had been stranded in 18-degree temperatures for two hours after falling while shoveling snow. The Postal Service […]
Mark Miller, Raleigh, NC
I enjoy reading Link every day. I usually start with “Heroes’ Corner,” then read the other articles. […]
Being heard
While USPS employees are participating in the latest Postal Pulse survey, managers are making improvements based on comments from last year’s survey. The surveys, which began in 2015, did not give employees the opportunity to make comments, but that changed last year. “Employees requested that we include a comment box, so we did that,” said […]
Health check
Sierra Coastal District employees are learning more about health and wellness from the Postal Service’s resident experts. Occupational health nurses and assistants are visiting USPS facilities in the district, which is part of Pacific Area, through a program that began a year ago. The nurses and assistants conduct stand-up talks, provide information and educate employees […]
Gift card promotion
Gift card promotion. USPS will offer a discount on Mastercard gift cards at select Post Office locations. From May 25-June 7, employees and customers will receive $2 off the purchase fee of a Mastercard gift card valued at $50 or more. Variable load gift cards are excluded from this offer. No coupon is needed. Postal […]
Survey says
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. True or false: Nearly 3 in 4 Americans say USPS is their favorite federal agency, according to a new Gallup poll. a) True b) False 2. Which of these […]
Showing respect
Rural Carrier Janet Banks was recently delivering mail in Elizabethtown, KY. At the home of a customer with a medical hardship, Banks found him deceased. She called 911 and stayed on the scene until the coroner arrived. “Janet has a great relationship with her customers and is known for providing excellent customer service,” said local […]
Sesame Street stamps
The Postal Service will release its Sesame Street stamps Saturday, June 22. The stamp pane will honor the 50th anniversary of the influential and beloved children’s television show by showcasing 16 of its Muppet characters: Big Bird, Ernie, Bert, Cookie Monster, Rosita, The Count, Oscar the Grouch, Abby Cadabby, Herry Monster, Julia, Guy Smiley, Snuffleupagus, […]
Dream come true
It was a moment Tsvetelina Padezhka and her husband, Lyubomir Padezhki, had long worked toward. The Tennessee residents recently recited the oath of allegiance to the United States during a ceremony at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office, completing a final step in their journey to become American citizens. “It’s a dream come true,” […]
Memorial Day
The United States will observe Memorial Day, a federal holiday to remember members of the armed forces who died while serving the nation, on Monday, May 27. Approximately 100,000 veterans are employed by USPS. The organization is one of the largest civilian employers of former and current members of the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines […]
Scanning snapshot
Scanning snapshot. The Postal Service’s national scanning rating was 97.84 percent during the week ending May 17, up from one week earlier. Western (98.13) led the areas, while Dakotas (99.31 percent) topped the districts. Scanning allows customers to track their packages and mail, and it helps USPS improve efficiency and network management. To see the […]
Deep gratitude
Letter Carrier Carol Helm was recently making deliveries in Charleston, WV, when she grew concerned about a customer whose mail was piling up. Helm alerted the woman’s neighbor, who contacted a member of her family. Emergency responders soon checked on the woman, who had died. The customer’s aunt, Harriett Beury, later mailed a letter to […]
Brian Harrifeld, Lincoln, NE
I like Link articles that feature animals, as well as profiles of employees who have been on the job for a half-century and those who are still working past age 65. While I’m not planning on joining them, more power to them. […]
Food news
Here’s Link’s latest “News Quiz,” a weekly feature that invites readers to test their knowledge of recent stories. The correct answers appear at the end. 1. Approximately how many pounds of food have been collected through Stamp Out Hunger since the annual drive began in 1993? a) 1 billion b) 1.2 billion c) 1.4 billion […]
Gift card promotion
Gift card promotion. USPS will offer a discount on Visa gift cards at select Post Office locations. From May 18-31, employees and customers will receive $2 off the purchase fee of a Visa gift card valued at $50 or more. Variable load gift cards are excluded from this offer. No coupon is needed. Set sail. […]
Staying healthy
Springtime health fairs and training classes are giving Postal Service employees valuable information and skills to potentially save lives. A recent health and wellness fair at the Cary, NC, Post Office offered employees free glucose screenings and the opportunity to talk with nutrition specialists, emergency medical personnel and health insurance representatives. Employees could also have […]
America’s favorite
Nearly 3 in 4 Americans say the Postal Service is their favorite federal agency, according to a Gallup poll released this week. USPS ranks first among 13 agencies measured in the survey, with 74 percent saying the organization does an “excellent” or “good” job. The Postal Service also ranked first in all prior years this […]
Safety in action
John Korsiak, a safety specialist for Long Island District in Melville, NY, was recently on duty for new employee orientation when a crisis erupted. A colleague was eating lunch during a break when she started choking on a piece of food. Korsiak leapt into action and performed the Heimlich maneuver on the woman until the […]
Barbara Bouchard, Providence, RI
It’s so heartwarming to read stories like “Building bonds” that show how USPS employees touch the lives of the customers they serve day in and day out. […]
All aboard
The Postal Service celebrated the 150th anniversary of the nation’s first cross-country railroad during its latest stamp dedication ceremony last week. The Transcontinental Railroad stamp event was held May 10 at the Golden Spike National Historic Park in Promontory Summit, UT. “Building the Transcontinental Railroad was one of the great achievements of the 19th century,” said […]