Everybody wins at Priceville Elementary

Somerville Postmaster Sherri Boyd believes that you are never too young to become interested in all things Postal. In an effort to promote the Postal Service and to encourage youngsters to write letters and collect stamps, Boyd visited Priceville Elementary School, where she spoke to the kids about Postal history and why the Postal Service is still important to everyone.

She also announced an exciting Design-a-Stamp contest for the first and second grades. The winners for each grade would have their entries turned into real stamps!

The children were asked to draw pictures of things that they would like to see on stamps. The pictures were then displayed at the Somerville Post Office, where customers cast their votes by buying Postal products (the dollar amount of their purchases was how many votes their choice of artist was given).

Everyone was so impressed with the terrific artwork that it was truly a difficult task to declare the winners. After counting and recounting, here are the final results:

The first grade winner is Danielle Davis, who is pictured above with her teacher, Bonnie Bradford. 

The second grade winner is Raegan Jenkins, who is pictured above with her teacher, Julie Smith.

All of the participants did such a wonderful job: we congratulate you all. Postmarks thanks Postmaster Sherri Boyd for telling us about her fabulous contest and for proving once again that the Postal Service is still a vibrant institution that adds much value to the community.





Primetimers take The Mystery Tour

Every month, the Hillview Baptist Church Primetimers (an over-50 group) go on an outing together. They've been to museums, shows, and festivals.

This month, a  mystery trip was planned: the group's coordinator Carolyn Harris (who also happens to be Postmaster Regina Deroy's mom) kept their destination a secret. All they knew was what time to meet the bus and that they could only wear certain types of shoes. Each person was given a sheet of paper upon which was illustrated what types of shoes were acceptable and what types to avoid, and the rule was this: if one person forgot to wear proper footwear, nobody was going to be allowed to go.

So on Wednesday, with safe shoes afoot, where did they all wind up?

Downtown, at the Birmingham Main Post Office.

Customer Affairs & Claims Manager Viola Freeman began the tour by speaking to them about what steps they can take to avoid becoming victims of identity theft and fraud. Since seniors are one of the prime targets of this kind of crime, it's important that people are informed about what they can do to protect themselves.

Then, they were escorted onto the workroom floor for a look at mail processing.

Their guide for this part of the tour was Automations Operations Specialist Kevin Bray, who showed them what happens to a letter once it reaches the plant. He was a big hit with the group: after the tour, when asked what was their favorite part, one member replied, "The tour guide."

Several of the group's members expressed surprise at the factory-like atmosphere.

Each person addressed a letter and put it in the mail stream, so that they could witness the automation process from beginning to end.

The last part of a tour was a trip upstairs for a look at what is usually called The Postal Museum. The second floor of the facility is used primarily as administrative offices. In the halls are cases filled with mementoes of Alabama's Postal past.

Postal employee Kay Hayes (second from the right) enjoyed showing the group historical items which are very rarely seen by members of the public.

In the end, everyone said that the surprise had been a good one and that they had thoroughly enjoyed going behind the scenes at the Post Office, and we certainly enjoyed showing them around!

Suspicious package in Birmingham

Birmingham Main Post Office employees were evacuated from the facility this morning for several hours when it was reported that there was a suspicious package located in front of the building. The Birmingham Police Department was called to the scene, and traffic for several blocks was immediately blocked from entering the vicinity.

Postmarks' Marvin Owens was there to capture the following images:

Birmingham Police were there right away to keep the morning rush hour traffic from getting anywhere close to the building.

The eerie scene of a deserted urban Post Office at 8am.

A suspicious package in front of a federal building is a serious event, and the Birmingham Police answered the call to protect and serve.

Owens was forbidden to photograph the detonation of the package, but this is the aftermath.

Everybody wants to know the package's contents. Here they are:

Thank goodness that there was no real threat and that people are remaining vigilant in being aware of what might have been something much more offensive than a pair of smelly sneakers.

Passport Day in Alabama

Is international travel a part of your vacation plans for this summer? If so, now is the time to make sure that your and your traveling companions' passports are in order.

The United States Postal Service in partnership with the Department of State has declared Saturday, April 9, 2011 to be Passport Day in the USA. Here in Alabama, several post offices will be hosting passport fairs on that day to help you apply for or renew your passport (you can click on the list below to make it easier to read):

If you have any questions about cost, required identification, or expected length of processing time, please visit the Department of State's website by clicking here.

NOTE: If there is a government shutdown effective at midnight, the Postal Service WILL NOT be accepting passports on Saturday, April 9, 2011.

Small-town hero recognized by PMG, Alabama District, co-workers, and friends

This week was a big one for West Blocton Rural Carrier Barbara Pope. First, she received a letter from Postmaster General Patrick R. Donahoe thanking her for saving a customer's life (to see Postmarks' original post about Barbara, click here. ).

Here is an excerpt from the PMG's letter to Barbara:

I want to commend you for your heroism and selfless display of civic duty. Your attentiveness and the quick actions you took to rescue a woman who was frantic and wounded saved her life. I am proud of how you handled this heinous situation and for the care you extend toward the citizens in your community.

Then, she received a certificate of commendation from the Alabama District. Area III Acting MPOO Larry D. Muse arrived Thursday morning at the West Blocton Post Office to present Barbara with the award and some other gifts, and West Blocton Postmaster Daphne McClain arranged breakfast for the entire office in honor of the occasion.

Thank you for your service and for your willingness to become involved. The Alabama District is proud to have you on our team.

The event came as a complete surprise to Barbara, who remained speechless, even after Muse finished presenting her with the award.

Daphne McClain and Larry Muse enjoyed watching Barbara open her gifts from the Alabama District, which included a watch, notebook, mug, and scarf-mitten-hat set, all embossed with the Postal logo.

Barbara with her West Blocton Post Office colleagues: RCA Katie Lawley, Barbara Pope, RCA Charles Bensinger, RCA Ruth Harmon (Montevallo), and Postmaster Daphne McClain.

After the ceremony, Barbara tried on her new hat in the refuge of her quiet case, still unable to contain her mixed feelings of shock and joy.

Postmarks congratulates Barbara on her well-deserved recognition and awards and is proud of her and all of the other conscientious rural carriers in the Alabama District!

You can't pinch Postmarks

Did you know that originally, blue was the color associated with St. Patrick's Day?

For most post offices, St. Patrick's Day is not one of the high mail volume holidays, but for a dozen offices, it is an opportunity to capitalize on the significance of their names by offering special St. Patrick's Day postmarks:

Clover, SC 29710
Clover, VA 24534
Erin, NY 14838
Erin, TN 37061
Green, KS 67447
Green, OH 44232
Ireland, IN 47545
Ireland, WV 26376
Limerick, ME 04048
Saint Patrick, MO 63466
Shamrock, OK 74068
Shamrock, TX 79079

For over a decade, the St. Patrick, MO Post Office has been offering pictorial postmarks. This year, it is a heart with a Celtic design with the words Happy St Patrick's Day Station March 1 - 30, 2011, St. Patrick, MO on the cancellation.

It will be available through the end of March. To obtain one free of charge (except, of course, for the cost of the stamps), send a stamped, self-addressed envelope along with a note requesting the postmark to
Postmaster, St. Patrick, Missouri 63466 USA.

Protecting and informing the public in Birmingham

Yesterday, the Alabama District USPS Department of Consumer Affairs conducted a National Consumer Protection Week event in the Birmingham Main Post Office lobby. The well-attended function featured members of local law enforcement, the Postal Inspection service, Postal management, as well as people who had been the victims of identity theft and fraud.

Crestline Station Manager Vivian Harris gave a stirring a cappella rendition of the National Anthem.

Bishop Calvin W. Woods of Shiloh Baptist Church delivered the Invocation, in which he prayed for the protection and wisdom of the consumer.

“Let them be able to see what the enemies don’t want them to see."

Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale commended the USPS and the Postal Inspection Service for their diligence in protecting the public from fraud and pledged his continued support in that endeavor.

 "The United States Postal Service and the United States Postal Inspection Service have played key roles in deterring and defeating and protecting identities and our consumers from losing money, their hard-earned money, to fraud. I appreciate the Postal Service in Alabama taking the lead in that. "

His advice: "To avoid being a fraud victim, use common sense. Take your time with responding to offers. Educate yourselves about fraud. Protect your personal information, and be skeptical about any offer that sounds too good to be true. "

He also said that if you do happen to become a victim of fraud, don't be embarrassed or feel stupid: immediately notify the proper authorities. Hale himself has also suffered through the ordeal of having the security of his own financial information compromised. It took him about six weeks to straighten things out.

If you would like to receive Sheriff Hale's email alerts, you can sign up for them by clicking here.

Jefferson County District Attorney Brandon K. Fells said that already that day (it was only 10:00am when he spoke), he had dealth with two cases that involved identity theft and fraud.

Fells: "Our most important tool is the public. We need people who are willing to press charges, work with us, and see these cases all the way through. Sometimes that can mean six months, sometimes that can mean a year. By doing so, you help make Jefferson County a safer place."

Postal Inspector Tony Robinson offered two main pieces of advice to consumers:

Tony Robinson: "The first one is what you are already doing: you are educating yourselves about identity theft, mail fraud, and general defrauding of consumers. The Postal Service and the Postal Inspection Service have websites (postalinspectors.uspis.gov and deliveringtrust.com) to help you further educate yourself after today.

The other piece of advice is this: if it seems like it just doesn’t sound right, please, reach out to one of these organizations that have already shown their dedication. Don’t feel like you are being a bother. We’re here to help you. If you are a victim, do not feel embarrassed. And if you talk to us beforehand, we might save you time and money."

Alabama District Manager William Mitchell also encouraged consumers to protect themselves by staying informed.

Mitchell: "The Postal Service has remained the most trusted government agency for six consecutive years now. NCPW lasts for just seven days, but the lessons learned during those seven days can stay with you for a lifetime."

National Consumer Protection Week event in Birmingham tomorrow

March 6-12 is the 13th annual National Consumer Protection Week. Across the nation, the Postal Service along with federal, state, and local agencies and consumer organizations is conducting information sessions for the general public.

Tomorrow, at 9:30am in the main lobby, the Birmingham Post Office (351 24th St. N) invites everyone to attend one such event. Keynote speakers will tell you how to protect your privacy as well as how to avoid becoming the victim of scams and fraud. Attendance is free for all.

A great resource for keeping abreast of current scams is the NCPW website. You can check out their blog by clicking here.

International Women's Day/ Stagecoach Mary

In honor of the 100th International Women's Day, Postmarks would like to share the amazing story of Mary Fields (a.k.a. Stagecoach Mary), who was the first African American woman to work for the Postal Service.

It's surprising that there hasn't yet been a movie made about Mary. Her life was filled with love, strife, and daring. Her 6-foot, gun-toting, cigar-smoking, fearless persona begs for portrayal on the silver screen.

In the early 1800s, she was born into slavery in Hickman County, Tennessee. Details about her early life are sketchy. According to some historians, she belonged to Judge Dunn and grew up on his family farm alongside his daughter, Dolly. Unlike most African Americans of the time, she was taught to read and write.

After emancipation, Mary remained on the Dunn farm until she was 52, which was when she decided to leave for Montana. Dolly (now Sister Amadeus), Mary's childhood friend, lived in a nunnery there, and had taken ill. Mary nursed her friend back to health and then remained in Montana to do physical labor for the nuns.

Despite being a devoted caretaker to her friend, Blackcowboys.com describes Mary as a woman one would not wish to cross: 

"Pugnacious" is not really an adequate word to describe her demeanor....Since she did not pay particular attention to her fashion statement, and otherwise failed to look and act the part of a woman in the Victorian age (albeit on the frontier), certain ruffian men would occasionally attempt to trample on her rights and hard won privileges. Woe to all of them. 

She broke more noses than any other person in central Montana; so claims the Great Falls Examiner, the only newspaper available in Cascade at the time.

After her employment with the nuns didn't work out--it is believed that she was "let go" because of a gunfight that she had with a male co-worker who refused to take orders from a woman--Mary tried her hand at owning a restaurant. There are conflicting reports about why her attempt at entrepreneurship failed: some sources say that she gave all of her food to people who couldn't afford to pay, while others say that she flopped because her cooking was terrible.

Either way, at 60 years old, she was in dire need of a job. When the Postal Service had an opening for the person who could harness six horses the fastest, Mary beat out all other applicants.

So for the next 10 years, in blizzards and scorching heat, through all kinds of rugged terrain, Stagecoach Mary and her mule, Moses, delivered the mail.

According to CascadeMontana.com,  Mary loved the job, despite the many dangers and difficulties. Thieves and wolves roamed the countryside, always ready to pounce on prey....In the winter, heavy snowfalls plunged the trails under drifts. On several occasions, Mary’s horses could not cross the drifts. Determined to do her job, she left the horses behind and walked alone to deliver the mail. Once she walked 10 miles back to the depot.

In addition to being a ground breaker for women, free-spirited adventurers over 50, and African Americans, Mary Fields was an important pioneer of the American West. Her trustworthy and dependable delivery of communication expediated the development of parts of Montana.

At age 70, she stopped delivering the mail but still needed to earn a living, so she opened a laundry. When the laundry burnt down in 1912, the townspeople rebuilt it for her.

According to CascadeMontana.com,  An avid baseball fan, Mary often presented the town’s team with bouquets of flowers from her garden.  The town so loved and respected Mary that on her birthday they even closed the schools to celebrate the occasion. She was well over 80 years old when the townspeople laid her to rest at the foot of the mountain trail that led to Saint Peter’s Mission.

Change is a comin'

Many of you already know that there is going to be a major announcement by the USPS about changes and restructuring on March 23th. Today, the Postal Service issued an announcement on liteblue that gives more details about what to expect. In total, there are 16 points. Postmarks will give just a couple of them below; to read the rest of them, click on the link at the bottom of the page. 

 

2011 Organizational Redesign FAQs

Note: An updated version of the 2011 Redesign FAQs will be posted on or soon after the March 23rd announcement.

1. Why is the Postal Service going through an organizational redesign - are these changes necessary? The shift to digital communications coupled with the recent recession resulted in the most dramatic drop in business in Postal Service history.  Mail volume peaked at 213 billion pieces in 2006 and dropped to 170 billion last year.  By 2020, volume is expected to drop to 150 billion.  This business won’t come back. 

To remain competitive, it’s critical that we adjust our workforce to match America’s changing mailing needs while continuing to fulfill our mission of keeping America connected and maintaining high levels of customer service. The new redesign will create a smaller, more efficient structure with the resources necessary to lead significant change.

2. Who does the 2011 organizational redesign affect? The 2011 Redesign affects every administrative function within the Postal Service at Headquarters and in the Field. 

To continue reading, click here.

Burrp! We can do it, too.

This article was in yesterday's USPS News Link. What a great idea somebody in Tampa had: generate more recycling income by asking employees to bring in recyclable paper from home. In one year, the BURRP program there generated $250,000 in revenue.

Read the article below for inspiration:
USPS employees have long been encouraged to recycle at the local level — checking facilities and work areas to help the Postal Service realize its goal to send zero waste to landfills.


But an effort underway in Tampa District is encouraging employees to recycle paper at work — and bring paper from home as well.


This program is called “Bring Us UR Recycled Paper” program — BURRP for short. Participating employees are given “BURRP” bags to carry newspapers and other recyclable paper from home to work. Paper brought from home then is collected and sold to a recycler.


Employees get to contribute to the recycling effort, and USPS generates revenue.


How much revenue? In the first year, Tampa generated nearly $250,000 from the BURRP program. If every district participated, it’s estimated the Postal Service could generate $10 million each year.


Click here to watch the latest edition of “Going Green” and learn more about BURRP.

March is Women's History Month

If the print seems a wee bit too small to read, click on the image a couple of times and it will expand.