Friday, June 7, 2024
Nights to remember
The Postal Service’s latest stamps celebrate carnivals
The Postal Service celebrated the dazzling sights and sounds of an enduring summertime tradition at the June 6 dedication ceremony for the new Carnival Nights stamps.
The stamps feature 10 images that convey the energy and color of a summer carnival at night, depicting a variety of rides in vibrant neon hues against a dark sky.
“When the sun sets, things really come to life under a carnival’s whirling bright lights,” said Alabama-Mississippi District Manager June Martindale, who spoke at the event. “The Postal Service is proud to help connect friends and families across the nation with the magic and excitement of these beautiful Carnival Nights stamps.”
The event was held at the South Mississippi Summer Fair in Biloxi. Other participants included Matt McDonnell, executive director of the Mississippi Coast Coliseum; Lynda Franc, corporate marketing director for North American Midway Entertainment; Greg Chiecko, president of the Outdoor Amusement Business Association; and Lisa Bobb-Semple, USPS stamp services director.
“A carnival at night has provided family entertainment for the young and old for generations,” McDonnell said. “Whether a carnival ride was your first date or your children’s first ride experience, it is a great part of Americana, just like these stamps.”
The photographs used for the stamps feature rides along with a fireworks burst from behind a panorama of lights and a row of glittering amusement booths that invite passersby to try their luck.
In addition to the dedication ceremony, USPS branded a North American Midway Entertainment Ferris wheel with a Carnival Nights stamps banner at the fair.
The branded wheel and banner will travel to other fairs throughout the summer, including stops in Indianapolis; Chippewa Falls, WI; and Du Quoin, IL.
The stamps are available in panes of 20 at Post Offices and usps.com.
People
Canine camera
A carrier stars in a campaign shot, a postmaster begins his appointment and a retail associate schools youngsters
Timothy “T.J.” Jackson is at the center of this year’s USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign.
Jackson, a Linthicum Heights, MD, letter carrier, is featured in a photograph that serves as the centerpiece of the campaign, including a Link article, workplace poster and computer screensaver.
Daniel Afzal, a USPS photographer, took the shot, which shows Jackson standing his ground while demonstrating how to use a mail satchel as a barrier when a dog attacks.
To simulate the attack, Jackson held a toy to get the attention of Andy the Labrador, a trained service dog who plays the role of the attacking canine. When Andy leaped into the air, Jackson hid the toy behind his satchel.
“It’s wonderful to be part of this,” Jackson said. “The campaign helps remind pet owners that dogs can cause harm.”
The campaign, which began this week, will conclude Sunday, June 9.
New guy in town
There’s a new postmaster in Pasadena, CA: Silven Zimmerman, a 24-year USPS veteran.
Zimmerman was recently sworn in as postmaster for the city of about 134,000 residents.
He joined the organization as a letter carrier in Tampa, FL, then moved on to a variety of other roles.
“To me, the title of postmaster is an honor,” he said. “Being a postmaster gives me the opportunity of being a committed leader to my postal team, but more importantly, being committed to the community of Pasadena.”
Field research
A group of about 80 second graders had a field trip to remember when they toured the Reno, NV, Processing and Distribution Center last month.
The students saw the mail processing equipment, then bought stamps and mailed homemade cards at the adjacent Reno Post Office.
The highlight of the tour: learning that USPS sometimes makes deliveries from the animal kingdom.
“They were shocked to see the shipments of live bees and chicks in the express area,” said Justine Maaka, a retail associate who helped arrange the visit.
“People” appears regulary in Link. Got news to share? Email us.
History
Faster than express
The missile mail experiment took place on June 8, 1959
The U.S. postal system has been an early adopter of newfangled — and even dangerous — modes of delivery: Airmail. Pneumatic tubes. The Pony Express.
But perhaps no experiment was more out-there than the organization’s brief flirtation with missile mail.
On June 8, 1959, a Regulus guided missile loaded with 3,000 letters was launched from the Navy submarine USS Barbero and landed at the naval auxiliary station in Mayport, FL, more than 100 miles away.
The missile delivered its payload in about 22 minutes.
“Before man reaches the moon, mail will be delivered within hours from New York to California, to England, to India or to Australia by guided missiles,” Postmaster General Arthur E. Summerfield said at the time.
Summerfield’s optimism was not borne out, however. While the trial was a success, guided missiles could not carry enough mail to make them an economically viable option.
The “History” column appears occasionally in Link.
News Quiz
Location, location, location
Do you remember where these stories originated?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Where did the Postal Service hold a news conference on May 30 to preview this year’s USPS National Dog Bite Awareness Campaign?
a) Atlanta
b) Philadelphia
c) San Francisco
d) None of the above
2. Where has the Postal Inspection Service conducted recent operations to combat mail-related crime?
a) Chicago
b) Los Angeles
c) New York City
d) All of the above
3. Where will USPS employees find instructions on auditioning for this year’s holiday advertising campaign?
a) Blue
b) LiteBlue
c) MyHR
d) The USPS Employee Casting website
4. True or false: Under the Hatch Act, USPS employees cannot solicit, collect or receive money for a candidate, campaign, political party or political action committee.
a) True
b) False
5. Fill in the blank: Bill Fraine recently joined USPS as (blank) vice president.
a) Business and commercial initiatives
b) Business and commerce initiatives
c) Business initiatives
d) Commerce initiatives
Answers: 1) b. 2) d. 3) d. 4) a. 5) a.
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Nights to remember
The Postal Service’s latest stamps celebrate carnivals
-
People
Canine camera
A carrier stars in a campaign shot, a postmaster begins his appointment and a retail associate schools youngsters
-
History
Faster than express
The missile mail experiment took place on June 8, 1959
-
News Quiz
Location, location, location
Do you remember where these stories originated?