Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Alex Trebek ‘made it cool to be smart’
USPS celebrates the ‘Jeopardy!’ host with a stamp
Alex Trebek, the beloved “Jeopardy!” host, was hailed as a cultural icon at the Postal Service’s July 22 dedication ceremony for the new stamp in his honor.
“Millions of Americans invited Alex Trebek into their living rooms each weeknight,” said Michael Elston, secretary of the USPS Board of Governors, who spoke at the event in Culver City, CA.
“After thousands of shows over 37 seasons, he was someone we trusted and felt like we knew. And with his intelligence and wit, he made it cool to be smart.”
Born in Ontario, Canada, Trebek became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998. He began hosting “Jeopardy!” in 1984, which became a phenomenal success with Trebek at the helm.
Among numerous honors, Trebek won a lifetime achievement Emmy Award and eight Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show host.
The new stamp, available at Post Offices and usps.com, features a “Jeopardy!”-style prompt: “THIS NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZEN HOSTED THE QUIZ SHOW ‘JEOPARDY!’ FOR 37 SEASONS.”
Underneath, upside down, is the correct response: “Who is Alex Trebek?”
“It’s so appropriate that the stamp illustration commemorates Alex with a ‘Jeopardy!’ clue. He loved the game so much, and he always insisted the clues were the true star of the show,” said current “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings, who served as emcee.
Trebek was devoted to charity work, notably making many trips to Africa, Asia and South America with World Vision, a child welfare organization that aims to alleviate poverty and hunger.
He donated 62 acres in the Hollywood Hills to protect natural habitat and offer trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Trebek and his family also made significant donations to create the Trebek Center, a homeless shelter in North Hollywood.
After a public battle with pancreatic cancer, he died in 2020. Sony Pictures Stage 10, where “Jeopardy!” is still taped, was renamed the Alex Trebek Stage.
“My family and I were completely surprised about Alex being honored by the U.S. Postal Service,” said Jean Trebek, his widow. “It is a such an extraordinary honor and a wonderful way to recognize what Alex meant to so many people.”
Milestones
Appointments, awards and more
Here’s a look at recent USPS announcements
• Bryan D. Cole, the Eugene, OR, Local Processing Center’s distribution operations manager, was named the Grand Junction, CO, Main Post Office’s acting plant manager.
• Cory E. Stibley, the Cheyenne, WY, Processing and Distribution Center’s plant manager, was named the Colorado Springs, CO, Processing and Distribution Center’s acting plant manager. Tanner F. Eslick, a processing support specialist at the Cheyenne center, was named its acting plant manager.
• Jeffrey S. Summers was named asset management planning manager. He previously served as a retail and marketing asset planning manager.
• Falonda L. Woods was named the Jacksonville, FL, postmaster. She previously served as the Atlanta postmaster.
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July 31, 2024
Datebook
Hank Aaron stamp ceremony
The Postal Service will dedicate its Hank Aaron stamp on Wednesday, July 31, in Atlanta.
The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. Eastern at Truist Park, located at 755 Battery Ave. SE.
The speakers will include Tom Marshall, the Postal Service’s general counsel.
Attendees must RSVP online.