Daily printout: Sept. 24

The Postal Service has recommended deadlines for this year’s holiday mailing and shipping season.

The suggestions, released Sept. 22, are for expected delivery before Friday, Dec. 25.

Here are the deadlines for items being sent to addresses in the lower 48 states:

• Thursday, Dec. 17: USPS Ground Advantage

• Thursday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail

• Friday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail

• Saturday, Dec. 19: Priority Mail Express

Here are the deadlines for items being sent to Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories:

• Wednesday, Dec. 16: USPS Ground Advantage

• Thursday, Dec. 17: First-Class Mail

• Friday, Dec. 18: Priority Mail

• Saturday, Dec. 19: Priority Mail Express

Customers sending packages internationally or to military addresses can find the complete list of recommended mailing and shipping dates at usps.com.

Packaging guidelines and information on preparing shipments, ordering free shipping supplies and local Post Office hours can be found at usps.com and on the USPS YouTube channel. 

More information on preparing for the holiday season can be found on the USPS Holiday Newsroom page.

The Postal Service will release its Squirrels & Chipmunks in Snow stamps on Friday, Sept. 25.

The stamps will debut at the Milcopex philatelic exhibition in Brookfield, WI.

The 20-stamp booklet features four photographs of an eastern gray squirrel, an American red squirrel and two eastern chipmunks.

Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps using existing photographs by Fiona M. Donnelly of an eastern chipmunk holding its paws to its mouth in a quiet moment of feeding; an eastern gray squirrel caught on camera mid-munch by Matt Prosser; an eastern chipmunk with cheeks bulging with food photographed by Martha M. Stewart; and an American red squirrel with small paws raised to its mouth photographed by Ross Taylor.

While many USPS stamps have depicted animals in winter settings, these are the first to spotlight the woodland creatures.

Gray and red squirrels stay active all winter, leaping from branch to branch and digging through snow drifts for hidden snacks. As temperatures drop, the American red squirrel grows fluffy ear tufts and a thicker coat. The eastern chipmunk stocks its burrow with food, then dozes through the season’s coldest days.

The Forever stamps will be available at Post Offices and on usps.com.

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Kim Novak had just started her route in Cabot, AR, when she saw a dog in a field.

“She was just sitting there looking lost. Normally dogs are barking at me and running around,” said the rural carrier, who stopped briefly to take in the scene.

Novak maintained her distance but was able to see why the dog was glued to her spot: A passel of newborn puppies, their eyes not yet open. Some were nursing.

“I really wanted to help these puppies out,” she said.

One of Novak’s next delivery stops was a nearby veterinary clinic. While there, she got contact information for groups that might be able to help.

She eventually found help from Jak’s Second Chance Rescue Ranch. It was over capacity and closed for intake, but volunteers mobilized to get the family to a safe environment.

The story of Novak’s discovery and how the rescue found and corralled the mom and pups was recently featured on animal website TheDodo.com.

With the help of an animal tracker, the volunteers found the puppies snuggled in a briar patch but didn’t locate the mother until midnight.

“As soon as she realized we were there to help her and not to hurt her, she just melted and accepted pets and treats and love,” rescue director Jenny Bridges told the Dodo.

Before transferring the family to Forgotten Paws of Northwest Arkansas, rescuers named the mom Jolene, and the puppies Dolly, Bowie, Jagger, Ozzy, Olivia and Prince.

“I wouldn’t have been able to sleep or gotten through my route without someone saying they would help,” Novak said.

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