Friday, September 26, 2025
USPS covers a lot of ground
Many routes put mega miles on the odometer
In the 250 years since its inception, the Postal Service has expanded from a handful of routes crisscrossing the Colonies into a 234,000-route network encompassing 50 states, the District of Columbia, and five major U.S. territories in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean.
To help mark the organization’s anniversary this year, USPS has released a list of its longest routes in its four geographical areas — Atlantic, Central, Southern and WestPac:
• In WestPac Area, a 195-mile route out of Sidney, MT — the nation’s longest — delivers to 305 mailboxes;
• In Southern Area, a 183-mile route out of Mangum, OK, delivers to 277 mailboxes;
• In Central Area, a 146-mile route out of Pleasant Hill, IL, delivers to 385 mailboxes; and
• In Atlantic Area, a 120-mile route out of Addison, NY, delivers to 404 mailboxes.
Some delivery routes are served by traditional means — vehicles and walking — while others employ less conventional methods such as dog sleds, boats, donkeys and bicycles.
More offbeat information about the Postal Service can be found on the Postal Facts website.
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Take an amble through autumn with Walktober
The Postal Service’s six-week wellness challenge begins Oct. 1
The USPS Benefits and Wellness team is encouraging employees to lace up and step into Walktober, a six-week wellness challenge running from Oct. 1 to Nov. 7 that promotes physical activity, social connection and fall fun.
Participants are encouraged to set a goal of 6,000-10,000 steps a day and they can watch as their virtual Walktober tree fills with leaves of red, orange and gold as they progress.
There will also be a chance to play Walktober bingo, where participants mark off activities such as walking with a furry friend, capturing a colorful landscape or enjoying a seasonal treat.
Employees can join as individuals or create a team of up to five.
Registration is required on the USPS Walktober website.
Participation is voluntary. Nonexempt employees must participate off the clock or during authorized breaks.
Employees who have questions can email the USPS Benefits and Wellness team.
People
Accentuating the positive
Station employees are recognized and a maintenance team receives kudos
A little appreciation goes a long way — a fact demonstrated recently during a USPS employee appreciation day at Norwood Park Station in Chicago.
The station’s management recently introduced an initiative called EAR — Engagement with co-workers, Accountability for ourselves, and Results for our customers.
“I wanted to help enforce that program by giving employees recognition,” said Stacy Harris, an acting customer services supervisor.
Employees were treated to breakfast and received pins highlighting their contributions in categories such as teamwork, positive attitude, ethics and zero accidents.
“The ceremony was outstanding,” said Monica Clark, a letter carrier who has worked for USPS for 30 years. “When a Post Office gives you appreciation, it goes a long way and lifts morale.”
Jarell Caston, a fellow letter carrier, appreciated the recognition, too.
“We do work hard. It lifts our spirits,” he said.
The fix-it brigade
Is there anything the field maintenance team in the Postal Service’s Illinois 1 District can’t handle?
“Our area maintenance technicians do all sorts of things to maintain the stations, from safes, toilets, electrical and locks to fighting bees and wasps when working on mailboxes,” said Melinda Rivera, an acting supervisor and building equipment mechanic in the district.
Her team takes care of more than 200 Post Offices in Northern Illinois, “along with any kind of emergency.”
Matt Foltz, an area maintenance technician at the Rockford, IL, Sorting and Delivery Center, said he works “from the top of the roof to the basement. Anything that needs to be done.”
Glenn Bednarek, a technician in Carol Stream, IL, pointed out that he and his colleagues may need to turn on a dime — depending on circumstances. “There are a lot of daily tasks and sometimes there are emergencies where you have to juggle,” he said.
Their hard work does not go unnoticed.
“I’ve come to really appreciate the strong team we have here in Illinois 1,” said Jasmine Jackson, field maintenance operations manager. “It’s a great mix of seasoned professionals and newer employees. I’m grateful to be part of a team that’s so committed, capable and collaborative.”
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News Quiz
A voice in the night
How much do you know about the Elie Wiesel stamp?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. When awarding Elie Wiesel the Nobel Peace Prize in 1986, the Norwegian Nobel Committee labeled him as which of the following?
a) “Messenger to mankind”
b) “Model of hope”
c) “Point of light”
d) “Unsinkable soul”
2. What is the deadline for sending First-Class Mail to addresses in the lower 48 states to ensure delivery by Thursday, Dec. 25?
a) Monday, Dec. 15
b) Tuesday, Dec. 16
c) Wednesday, Dec. 17
d) Thursday, Dec. 18
3. Which of the following scenes is not depicted in one of the five Winter Landscapes stamps?
a) A full moon shining on a frozen pond
b) Icicles set against a fiery sunset
c) Red barns in a white landscape
d) A rustic fence amid snow-laden trees
4. During emergencies, how can USPS employees check for changes to their scheduled work reporting status?
a) Call the USPS National Employee Emergency Hotline.
b) Email the labor relations team.
c) Visit www.uspsreadiness.gov.
d) Watch their local newscast.
5. What did Pomfret Center, CT, Rural Carrier Patti Durrell do when she saw an older man lying on the ice after a fall?
a) She alerted the man’s granddaughter inside his house.
b) She called 911 and gave the man her hand warmers and a blanket.
c) She performed CPR on the man.
d) She set his leg after calling 911.
Answers: 1) a. 2) c. 3) a. 4) a. 5) b.
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What's included
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USPS covers a lot of ground
Many routes put mega miles on the odometer
-
Take an amble through autumn with Walktober
The Postal Service’s six-week wellness challenge begins Oct. 1
-
People
Accentuating the positive
Station employees are recognized and a maintenance team receives kudos
-
News Quiz
A voice in the night
How much do you know about the Elie Wiesel stamp?