Friday, March 13, 2026
These stamps take a little trip, take a little trip
USPS celebrates the lowrider classic cars
The Postal Service will release its Lowriders stamps on Friday, March 13.
Lowriders are typically vintage cars customized with smaller wheels, special hydraulic suspensions, colorful paintwork and intricate detailing.
They originated in 1940s-era working-class Mexican American/Chicano communities in East Los Angeles and the American Southwest.
The stamps showcase five classic models: a blue 1958 Chevrolet Impala called “Eight Figures”; an orange 1964 Chevrolet Impala named “The Golden Rose”; a green 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme dubbed “Pocket Change”; a blue 1946 Chevrolet Fleetline called “Let the Good Times Roll/Soy Como Soy”; and a red 1963 Chevrolet Impala named “El Rey.”
Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using photographs by Philip Gordon and Humberto Mendoza.
The Forever stamps will be available starting March 13 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
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This stamp shines a light on sunflowers
They are known for following the sun and providing seeds and nectar
The Postal Service will release its Sunflowers stamp on Saturday, March 14.
The Forever stamp celebrates the versatile native flower known for its beauty, nutritional value, economic importance and ecological benefits.
Prized by both gardeners and pollinators, the sunflower takes its scientific name — Helianthus annuus — from the Greek word “helios,” meaning sun, and “anthos,” meaning flower.
More than 50 distinct species of annual and perennial sunflowers grow in North America.
Like other heliotropic plants, young sunflowers follow the sun’s trajectory from east to west throughout the day. This sun-tracking behavior diminishes as the plant matures and its stem becomes more rigid.
A source of nectar and seeds, sunflowers provide food for birds, bees and butterflies. They also rejuvenate soil through their deep taproots, provide natural pest control and are drought resistant.
The stamp artwork features four stylized sunflowers in shades of yellow, gold and brown with green leaves and stems against a pale-yellow background.
Greg Breeding, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using original artwork from illustrator Nancy Stahl.
Using photographic references, Stahl sketched the initial drawing in ink, then used a vector drawing application to apply final color.
The Forever stamp will be available in booklets of 20 at Post Offices and on usps.com.
Email us your feedback. Your comments could be included in our “Mail” column.
People
Delaware school receives a fitting gift
And two retiring letter carriers get sweet sendoffs
Bridgeville, DE, Postmaster Kimberly Collins recently donated a set of Phillis Wheatley stamps to the town’s Phillis Wheatley Elementary School.
“I always try to feature or do something with the newly released stamps in my office,” Collins said. “When I saw this was coming out, I immediately called the school and asked if they were doing anything to celebrate Black History Month.”
The Wheatley school is the product of educational reform made after World War I, when improving schools for African American students was made a top priority in Delaware. The Bridgeville Colored School, as it was then called, was opened in the early 1920s.
The school was later renamed for the poet. It is one of several educational facilities in the country named for Wheatley, the 49th honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series.
33 years of delivering with care
Waltham, MA, Letter Carrier Paul Ricciardi received a surprise sendoff from the Briarwood neighborhood before retiring after 33 years with the Postal Service.
When Ricciardi arrived at the home of two of his customers, he was greeted by more than 60 people, including his wife, Pam, and several family members.
“I knew nothing of it. I was quite surprised and overwhelmed. It was an emotional day,” he said.
On his last day on the job, there were signs along his route from neighbors thanking him for his service, The Waltham Times reported.
He is looking forward to playing golf and traveling with his wife after she retires in May.
Pamela Ricciardi, a customer services supervisor in Lowell, MA, has worked for USPS for 40 years.
Not your average Joe
Demarest, NJ, Letter Carrier Joe DiTore also recently retired with 33 years of service and was recognized for his many acts of kindness along the way.
In a recent “On the Road” segment for “CBS Evening News,” customers were shown gathered at a local restaurant to thank DiTore for delivering to their mailboxes and personal lives.
The cited list of good deeds included calling or texting a customer if something looked off at their home, running errands for them while off the clock and checking up on those experiencing medical issues.
“They say you get back what you give but, in my case, I received it tenfold. I will miss you more than I can say,” he said.
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News Quiz
Wait, what?
How much do you know about scammers using artificial intelligence?
“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: Being asked to communicate through encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp or Telegram is a good way to tell you’re not being scammed.
a) True
b) False
2. How many Letters of Love clubs are there currently in American high schools and colleges?
a) 199
b) 272
c) 314
d) 406
3. How long must former USPS employees wait before communicating with the Postal Service on a matter if they managed subordinates who worked on that same issue?
a) 6 months
b) 1 year
c) 2 years
d) 5 years
4. What is the theme of the latest episode of the “Mailin’ It!” podcast?
a) Artificial intelligence scams
b) How city carriers can avoid potholes in the road
c) Letter carriers wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day
d) The first-ever USPS March Madness bracket
5. What did Carthage, MO, City Carrier Karen Outhier find between two cars in a retirement village parking lot?
a) A customer who had fallen and couldn’t get up
b) A customer’s badly injured cat
c) A phone being called by Patrick Mahomes
d) A purse filled with $3,500 in cash
Answers: 1) b. 2) c. 3) c. 4) a. 5) a.
March 18, 2026
Datebook
‘Understanding Digestive Health’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar to learn how preventive care may help improve digestive health.
The session, “Understanding Digestive Health,” will be held Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from United Healthcare, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
March 18, 2026
Datebook
‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will address benefits available after retirement.
The session, “USPS Retirement Health Benefits, Medicare, Dental and Vision,” will be held Wednesday, March 18, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Aetna, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the webinar.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
March 19, 2026
Datebook
‘Growing a Healthy Microbiome to Support Oral and Overall Wellness’
Postal Service employees may participate in an upcoming webinar that will provide information on how the gut microbiome can affect oral health.
The session, “Growing a Healthy Microbiome to Support Oral and Overall Wellness,” will be held Thursday, March 19, from noon to 1 p.m. Eastern.
Representatives from Government Employees Health Association, a provider of health plans for federal employees, will lead the discussion.
Participants must register before the event on the webinar website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees with questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
McCollum tasked with National Postal Forum, critical customer engagement duties
Paula M. McCollum has joined the Office of the Postmaster General on a temporary special executive assignment.
She will work on planning and implementing the National Postal Forum as well as critical customer engagement.
McCollum joins the PMG’s office from the Chief Customer Marketing Officer organization, where she was the integration and support manager.
Fatema M. Kennedy, alliance integration and support manager, will serve as integration and support acting manager during McCollum’s assignment.
View past printouts
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What's included
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These stamps take a little trip, take a little trip
-
This stamp shines a light on sunflowers
They are known for following the sun and providing seeds and nectar
-
People
Delaware school receives a fitting gift
And two retiring letter carriers get sweet sendoffs
-
News Quiz
Wait, what?
How much do you know about scammers using artificial intelligence?
-
March18Datebook
‘Understanding Digestive Health’
-
March18Datebook
‘USPS Retirement Health Benefits’
-
March19Datebook
‘Growing a Healthy Microbiome to Support Oral and Overall Wellness’
-
Brief
McCollum tasked with National Postal Forum, critical customer engagement duties