Friday, May 17, 2024
‘Awe-inspiring and indelible images’
USPS dedicates Ansel Adams stamps in Yosemite National Park
Iconic photos of the American landscape taken by Ansel Adams were celebrated May 15 at a dedication ceremony for new stamps showcasing 16 of his images.
“Ansel Adams is one of the 20th century’s most renowned artists, responsible for thousands of awe-inspiring and indelible images of the American landscape,” said Daniel Tangherlini, a USPS Board of Governors member who spoke at the ceremony.
The event took place at Yosemite National Park in California, a place that inspired many of the artist’s photos.
His black-and-white images of some of the country’s most beautiful places — including Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, the Grand Tetons in Wyoming and Denali in Alaska — became icons of the environmental movement.
“He felt deeply about the need to conserve our natural heritage — and through his talent, he made others care about this cause, too,” Tangherlini said.
Other speakers included Cicely Muldoon, Yosemite National Park superintendent; Alan Ross, an artist, educator and former assistant to Adams; Shelton Johnson, a Yosemite park ranger; and Matthew Adams, president of the Ansel Adams Gallery and the artist’s grandson.
Scott Gediman, the park’s public affairs officer, was master of ceremonies.
Throughout a career that spanned seven decades, Adams received praise and recognition for his photographic and conservation work.
In 1980, President Jimmy Carter awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom — the nation’s highest civilian honor. Adams died in 1984 at age 82.
“Ansel’s passion for his craft, willingness to share his approach and technique, and dedication to both protecting and preserving the environment had a profound influence on how I approached my own journey as a photographer,” said Ross.
The stamps feature 16 of the most famous Adams images in his signature “straight photography” style, an approach defined by its precision and directness.
Derry Noyes, an art director for USPS, designed the stamps.
The Ansel Adams stamps are available in panes of 16 at Post Offices and usps.com.
People
Wowie, Maui!
Hawaii and West Virginia employees receive honors and the Preakness gets an honorary postmaster
The Maui County Council in Hawaii recently passed a proclamation recognizing three of the island’s postal facilities for their long perfect-score streaks on USPS Retail Customer Experience surveys.
The Makawao and Kula Post Offices are tied with each other for second in the nation with 45 consecutive Retail Customer Experience perfect scores, and the Pulakani Finance Station ranks sixth nationally with 32 consecutive perfect scores.
The Retail Customer Experience program employs contractors to visit postal facilities and conduct mailing transactions. The contractors then document their experiences via a standardized questionnaire touching on such topics as wait time, employee engagement and following hazardous material protocols.
“The key to the success of our offices is our remarkable retail teams,” said Makawao Postmaster Danielle Boteilho, who attended the council meeting. “They take great pride in serving our communities and are committed to delivering customer excellence with every single transaction, every single day.”
Man of achievement
Mark Bourdeau may work behind the scenes, but he’s a star in the eyes of his supervisor and many of the mailers who use the Business Mail Entry Unit in Charleston, WV.
The business mail technician consistently receives perfect ratings on customer service surveys.
One customer remarked: “Your clerk, Mark, is just great. He makes everything so easy. It is a pleasure to know that my mailing is in such good hands.”
Bourdeau’s brand ambassadorship is not lost on the unit’s supervisor, Tammy J. Braley, who recently honored him with a certificate of achievement, saying “we can’t thank you enough for ensuring that our brand stands out in such a positive way.”
Preakness postmaster
As it has done since 1996, the Postal Service will open a temporary station at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course the week of the Preakness Stakes, slated for Saturday, May 18.
The station will offer special Preakness cancellations on any item bearing first-class postage.
Bev Strauss, co-founder and executive director of MidAtlantic Horse Rescue, was named honorary postmaster for the event.
The Chesapeake City, MD, nonprofit has rescued more than 2,600 retired racehorses bound for slaughter since its founding in 2002.
The Preakness Stakes is the second jewel in the Triple Crown, a series of races for 3-year-old thoroughbreds that begins with the Kentucky Derby and wraps up with the Belmont Stakes.
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News Quiz
Two cents
Do you remember the details of these stories?
“News Quiz” is a weekly feature that lets you test your knowledge of recent Link stories. The correct answers appear at the end.
1. Fill in the blanks: USPS reported total operating revenue was (blank), while total operating expenses were (blank) during the quarter that ended March 31.
a) $1.5 billion, $2.5 billion
b) $2.5 billion, $1.5 billion
c) $19.7 billion, $21.3 billion
d) $21.3 billion, $19.7 billion
2. When did Ebenezer Hazard become postmaster general?
a) 1775
b) 1776
c) 1782
d) 1789
3. True or false: Social engineering occurs when cybercriminals use technical, interpersonal and psychological methods to try to get information from their victims.
a) True
b) False
4. Which Post Office recently hosted a meet and greet for Kim Parker, the artist behind the new Celebration Blooms and Wedding Blooms stamps?
a) Elk Grove Village, IL
b) Huntington, NY
c) Paw Paw, WV
d) None of the above
5. When is the deadline for USPS employees to complete the CyberSafe Fundamentals training course?
a) Thursday, June 13
b) Thursday, June 20
c) Thursday, July 11
d) Thursday, July 18
Answers: 1) c. 2) c. 3) a. 4) b. 5) d.
New Postal Bulletin takes a look at passport services
Postal Bulletin’s latest edition, published May 16, details the passport services offered by USPS.
Updates to the organization’s policies, procedures and forms are also included.
Employees can go to usps.com to read and download the latest Postal Bulletin, along with past issues.
View past printouts
Printout details
What's included
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‘Awe-inspiring and indelible images’
USPS dedicates Ansel Adams stamps in Yosemite National Park
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People
Wowie, Maui!
Hawaii and West Virginia employees receive honors and the Preakness gets an honorary postmaster
-
News Quiz
Two cents
Do you remember the details of these stories?
-
Brief
New Postal Bulletin takes a look at passport services