Reader to Reader — an exchange worth sharing.

Stockbridge Post Office

By Carole Owens

Did you see the 1997 movie, The Postman? It might have been a box office flop and the critics punching bag, but it was actually loveable. The Postman is about how much we value the small, gracious things that connect us.

For decades, the Stockbridge Post Office put mail in the boxes even if the box number did not appear on the envelope. They knew us and our box numbers. It was an all-around nurturing sort of place, and the underpinning was the reliable United States Postal Service - the pride of the nation.

No more.

Folks were hurt, confused, and discommoded. I listened to the complaints, mulled, and finally wrote a letter. A few days ago, in response to my letter, a USPS representative visited Stockbridge and solved the problem — all mail will be delivered without interruption; without being returned to sender, even if no PO Box number appears on the envelope.

"After all," he told me, "our job is to deliver the mail."

And just like that, a bit of logic, a willingness to do the job, and simple human caring, one of the small gracious things that connect us was restored.

To the editor:

I write in response to Carole Owens' unfair maligning of the hardworking and dedicated employees at the Stockbridge Post Office in which she relies on nothing more than a few anecdotes (involving only unidentified people) to castigate these public servants.

Having benefitted from these postal workers' unfailingly efficient, helpful and courteous service for almost 30 years, I am thankful for their service, necessarily performed within the constraints of the federal rules governing what they can and cannot do for postal patrons.

As an extra benefit, the Stockbridge Post Office has always been — and continues to be — a place to greet and, time permitting, enjoy the company of other Stockbridge residents.

Instead of denigrating our Stockbridge postal workers, we should applaud them for their hard work and commendable service to our local community.

Stewart Edelstein, Stockbridge

Owens:

Good morning, Mr. Edelstein, and thank you for taking the time to read my column and write a response. Whatever side someone is on, it is good when folks are engaged and have the right to express themselves.

I understand your criticism, but my focus was not on maligning but on helping folks who came to me with what was for them a big scary problem: not receiving their mail. They were uncomfortable with my using their names and I honored that.

Frankly I would be scared too. It was a specific problem related to whether or not the Box # appeared.

They came to me because of Stockbridge Updates.

Thank you for being a subscriber. In SU last year, I was delighted to post a video of you in the Berkshire Botanical Garden reading your poem "Primrose: Let's Romp". Did you do every flower from A - Zinnia?

Anyway, they came to Stockbridge Updates. I had no idea what I could do. I tried to go into PO and broach the subject but was rebuffed. I did what I do - I wrote to the USPS.

They thought it serious enough to send someone to Stockbridge. The rep assured me mail would be delivered and not returned to sender with or without the box #.

Do you visit a page on Facebook called Stockbridge MA Community Board? If you do you will see many more than a "few" who had trouble with delivery and now feel relieved. You will see their names and also see that more folks reached out to Patrick White (Select Board) and I think Patrick said Michael Canales (Town Administrator) too.

Again, I was trying to help, and I do feel happy that I could help. Sorry you thought it was maligning, and I hope you noticed my closing paragraph reporting the fine work of the USPS in resolving the problem.

Wishing you no trouble with your mail ever.

Carole Owens

Edelstein:

Thanks for your email, which I very much appreciate.

In answer to your question, I did a number of videos based on my book about the BBG flora, but not all of them from A to Z. Felix Carroll, BBG's Director of Marketing Communications, decides if and when I do any more.

Owens:

Send video to SU if you do more — pick lovely setting - we will post

Edelstein:

Will do!

Photo: Lionel Delevingne