This month we want to recognize some furry-friends on the mail scene. When you hear the words dog and mail, one might often think about the feud between them and mailmen. But did you know? Once upon a time, the two had worked together to bring our packages and letters from doorstep to doorstep!

Dawn of The Husky’s

That’s right, while no longer a primary form of mail delivery, Sled Dogs were once used to traverse the winter weather to get mail from point A to point B. Sled dogs often consisted, but were not limited to, breeds like the Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, Chinook, Samoyed. The Yukon gold rush of 1897 brought forth a wave of settlers to the Alaskan wilderness and from that influx and necessity for supplies and mail, the Iditarod trail was born in 1908. Over time, the trail would expand and the necessity for sled dog teams would become the main source of transportation for mail and supplies!

Sled dogs were often used in the Northern U.S. and the Alaskan Territory during the cold winter months. Today’s breeds can travel upwards to 20 MPH over short distances, and 14 MPH on longer ones! These teams usually consisted of eight to ten dogs lugging almost 500 to 700 pounds of mail. Sled dog teams would make their deliveries, up until the 1920s when the airplane began to take off. By the 1960s, the was no need to deliver mail via sled dog teams. The final sled dog team to ever officially deliver U.S. mail was Chester Noongwooks who continued to operate up until 1963 and had often delivered mail when planes could not make the trips.

While sending mail online is definitely the most efficient way to mail a letter now, we can’t help but admire the determination of those before the tech boom in their quest for delivering mail. Happy National Dog Month!

By Micaela Dixon, Postalocity Translator / Published AUGUST 5TH, 2023

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

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Sources

Jane Rogers, M. 5. (2021, December 14). Special delivery by sled dogs. National Museum of American History. https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/special-delivery-sled-dogs

Sled dog mail. Last Frontier Magazine. (n.d.). https://www.lastfrontiermagazine.com/stories/sled-dog-mail

Smithsonian Institution. (n.d.). Alaskan Dog Sled Mail Carrier. Smithsonian Institution. https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/snapshot/alaskan-dog-sled-mail-carrier

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July is National Ice Cream Month, where we celebrate the nation’s most popular frozen treat! This observance was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1984 and aims to honor the joy and indulgence that ice cream brings to our lives. National Ice Cream Month is a time to explore the countless flavors, textures, and creative concoctions that make ice cream an iconic symbol of summer. Whether you prefer classic vanilla, adventurous flavors like lavender honey or salted caramel, or vegan alternatives, or time old classics like chocolate and Strawberry, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. As a bonus, did you know mail shares a lot of similarities with Ice Cream? Like our dairy (or dairy-free) deserts, mail also comes in a variety of styles and delivery methods, it’s versatile, creative, and is wildly popular!

Sweet Facts about Ice Cream

1.) In 1984, President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month, and specifically named the third Sunday of July as National Ice Cream Day, inviting all Americans to celebrate this beloved dessert.

2.) The United States has a pretty high per capita consumption of ice cream! On average, Americans consume more than 20 pounds (4 gallons) of ice cream per year.

3.) Noted in the Guinness World Records, the largest ice cream scoop ever created weighed a staggering 3,010 pounds (1,365 kilograms) and was achieved by Kemps LLC (USA)  in 2014. It took a team of 10 people and several hours to create this colossal scoop and measured 5′ 6″ tall and 6′ 2″ wide!

4.) The world’s most expensive ice cream noted this year (2023) in the Guinness Book of World Records, is “Byakuya”. This desert contains white truffles, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and sake lees. It’s priced at a cost of $6,696 for a 4.4 ounce serving.

What About Mail?

Mail and Ice cream share a lot of differences; one is a food product and the other is a paper product. They also share a lot of similarities! The sole purpose of mail is to provide information from recipient to receiver in a manner that is both fast, compact, and tailored. Mail relies on a variety of packing options, delivery methods, and paper selections. Mail also has a set of rules that help to ensure that consistency and efficiency is maintained. Ice cream is similar as it typically has a set of rules for it’s base to ensure that you get a cream, frozen desert! Additionally, ice cream delivers a sweet taste in cones, bowls, in cakes, on sticks, and more (method variety!).

1.) It roughly takes about 50 licks to finish an Ice Cream cone. Water-based envelopes typically take two licks to seal; that’s 25 sealed envelopes in that same amount of licks! Talk about a tiring success!

2.) Ice cream is often layered with a cone, cup, or stick of choice, the ice cream itself, and toppings. Mail works the same way! There’s the choice of packaging – an envelope, box, flat, etc, and the letter itself. Then there is the “toppings” – return to sender address, recipient address, choice of stamp designs, and envelope designs. Granted, mail also has a few more rules to follow!

By Micaela Dixon, Postalocity Translator / Published JULY 8TH, 2023

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

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Postage Rate Increase – July 9th, 2023

Just a friendly reminder that effective July 9th, 2023 the postage rate increase will take effect. Postal services may periodically review and adjust their pricing structure to account for factors such as inflation, operational costs, and service enhancements. The increase in postage rates aims to ensure that the postal service can continue to provide reliable and efficient mail delivery while maintaining financial sustainability.

We have two weeks until these changes are reflected throughout Postalocity. Mail jobs submitted after July 8th, 2023 will reflect the new price changes.

National Stamp Day – July 1st, 2023

From majestic eagles to adorable kittens, stamps are mini works of art that brighten up our mail. National Stamp Day serves to recognize not only the beauty in each stamp, but the history behind them. Stamps hold significant historical value as artifacts of communication, culture, and events throughout history. Before the existence of stamps, recipients were responsible for paying the postage upon receiving a letter or package. The introduction of stamps revolutionized the postal system by shifting the burden of payment to the sender.

This day in particullar also encourages others to send snail mail! Even if you don’t have a stamp, you can join in on the fun by mailing letters, postcards, and other mail pieces through Postalocity!

National Postage Worker Day – July 1st, 2023

Today, we raise our hats and honor the dedicated individuals who make up the backbone of our postal system—postage workers! These heroes tirelessly handle an astonishing amount of mail each day. In fact, did you know that postal workers deliver around 146 billion pieces of mail annually? That’s a hefty number that showcases their unwavering commitment to ensuring our letters, packages, and important documents reach their intended recipients. Rain, snow, or scorching heat, they brave the elements to provide reliable and efficient service. Their diligent efforts keep our communities connected, businesses thriving, and personal connections strong.

Here at Postalocity, our own employees work hard to ensure your mail is handled with care, sorted, address checked, sealed, and given the appropriate postage so that it’s ready to be handed off to our friends at USPS. We are very proud of the work they do! You can observe this holiday by taking some time to thank a postal worker.

By Micaela Dixon, Postalocity Translator / Published JUNE 24TH, 2023

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

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It’s National Classic Movie day! Today we celebrate the wide variety of classic films that have shaped or left an impact on society. These films have been passed down through generations, have become icons in Pop Culture, or has shaped our day to day lives with it’s ideas and exceptional storytelling. Without a doubt, most individuals watch a movie or two before they turn in for the night and we’d like to share with you a few of our favorite classic films! As an added bonus, each of these films have significant scenes and plots based around postal mail. We like mail, you like mail, and films that use it as part of the plot are a definite must watch! Minor spoiler warning for those who may not have watched these films!

Psst! Spoilers ahead!

Back To The Future (1985)

Starting with the eldest movie in our list, Back to The Future features a hand-written letter as a key point in the story! Marty McFly, before returning to the year 1985, writes a letter in the year 1955 to his friend Dr. Emmett Brown. This letter would not be opened by Dr. Emmett Brown until 1985. The contents of the letter? A warning that saves Dr. Emmett Brown’s life!

Forrest Gump (1994)

In cherished classic film featuring Tom Hanks, Forrest Gump is found writing letters “not every day, but almost” to the love of his life, Jenny. Later on when he’s in the hospital, all of the letters that he wrote were returned to him as she was no longer residing in her childhood home. The scene itself contrasts with another towards the end of the film where present day Forrest is at the bus stop because of a letter Jenny had sent to him.

You’ve Got Mail (1998)

Set in the age of email, this entire romantic comedy is centered around the premise of fast, digital mail and it’s ability to keep the two main characters engaged in an anonymous, romantical relationship, while the two are also convinced of their hate for one another in real life. It’s a charming classic on the “pass the love note” genre with a digital age twist!

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (2001)

Harry Potter’s most important scene is the starting point for the entire series. Harry receives his Hogwarts Acceptance Letter, a flood of them, when his caretakers attempt to keep them out of his sight. This letter, like many other’s throughout the series, is delivered by a Postal Owl, a wizarding mailing system!

By Micaela Dixon, Postalocity Translator / Published MAY 16TH, 2023

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

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Facts About Kansas

• Kansas had several popular movies filmed on its soil, such as, “The Wizard of Oz”, “Mars Attack!”, and “In Cold Blood”. While not filmed in the state, “Superman” and “Courage the Cowardly Dog” all take place in fictional towns set in Kansas.
• Both Pizza Hut and White Castle were started in Kansas! While Pizza Hut still has several chains in the state, White Castle interestingly does not.
• The ICEE was invented in Coffeyville, Kansas by Omar Knedlik. A frozen favorite!
• William Purvis and Charles Wilson built a Helicopter in Goodland, Kansas and while the machine was not successful in flight, it did get to be America’s first patented Helicopter.

All aboard, The Pony Express

The Pony Express, an 18-month long endeavor in America that took place before the invention of the telegraph. The purpose of the ride was to make the delivery of mail far quicker than what it was before. Between 1860 and 1861, over 40 Home Stations across 8 states housed horses and riders who would switch out every 12 – 15 miles to have mail delivered within a 10-day span. Home station No. 1 is in Marysville, KS.

Though it was far more expensive to use the service and the Pony Express eventually fell off the map once the Telegraph took off in 1860, we must give credit and thanks to Russell, Majors, and Waddell for their commitment and dedication fast mailings!

Huh…kind of like us!

A Modernized Pony Express

We might not deliver your mail for you on horses, but just like the inventors of the Pony Express, we strive to make your mailing hassles easier, quicker, and cheaper for you! With tons of different online mailing services offered, from tax forms and documents, direct mail marketing, statements and invoices, and even individual letters! You can be sure your mail gets wherever it needs to be at the costs and speeds you like to see!

And hey, why not check out what else we have to offer! Get in contact with us today to learn more or check out our other blogs!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

Our Mailing Services – https://old.postalocity.com/types-of-mail/

CONTACT US – https://old.postalocity.com/contact-us/

By Micaela Dixon, Postalocity Translator / Published MARCH 6TH, 2023

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

Our Mailing Services – https://old.postalocity.com/types-of-mail/

CONTACT US – https://old.postalocity.com/contact-us/

Sources:

https://www.visitmarysvilleks.org/attraction/pony-express-home-station-no-1/

https://www.kshs.org/p/dwight-eisenhower/19416

https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/amelia-earhart/12041

https://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/james-naismith/12154

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omar_Knedlik

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National Old Stuff Day, on March 2nd, 2022, is the day when people across the country clean out their closets and garages, rediscover old treasures, and declutter their lives. This inspired me on a couple of levels. One, obviously, the United States Post Office is pretty dang old, clocking in over two centuries since Benjamin Franklin was appointed our first Postmaster General in 1775.

Did You Know?

• Prior to 1775, Benjamin Franklin had a postal career of almost 40 years under the British? In 1737, he was appointed postmaster of Philadelphia by the British Crown Post while he also was the printer of the newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette. In 1753, he was promoted to Postmaster General under the British until 1774 when they dismissed him, for lack of better terms, for being too American.
• Up until 1863, postage rates for letters were based on how much distance was between the recipient and the sender. They also calculated how many sheets of paper were included in the letter. So if you lived cross country from a friend or loved one, you would have been paying quite a lot more to stay in touch.
• John Prine, Walt Disney, and Rock Hudson, worked for the Post Office. John Prine from 1964-69, Walt Disney from 1918-19, and Rock Hudson in 1947. In fact, several musicians, artists and actors worked for the Post Office before they were famous. Some have even been honored with their own postage stamp design.

Just For Fun Snail Mail

Another tip of the hat to National Old Stuff Day is the art of mailing someone a letter. In this age of technology, when is the last time you received or mailed someone a letter, just for fun? For me personally, pretty much the only things I find in my mailbox these days is invoices and junk mail. Make someone’s day – mail them a quick letter just to tell them you were thinking about them! Tip: you can use Postalocity’s letter templates to do type a quick letter, choose a fun stationary, and it’ll be in the mail tomorrow! Contact us today to learn how.

Happy National Old Stuff Day, everyone!

By Nikki Stockham, Postalocity’s Client Onboarding Expert / Published MARCH 2ND, 2022

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

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This fantastic article was written by the Deputy Appraiser, Janae Robbins, with the Wyandotte County Appraisers Office in Kansas City, Kansas. It was shared in the Appraising the Plains newsletter published by the Kansas Counties Appraisers Association. Postalocity is an active participant with our Kansas counties mailing needs. This particular article along with the infographic caught our eye and we just had to share! We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! 

Don’t Forget the Visuals

As appraisers, we are responsible not only for valuations, but for communicating that information to countless stakeholders with varying degrees of knowledge and understanding of our process. While we cannot control the market, we can control how our data, processes and regulations are communicated to these stakeholders.

Visual communication, known as ‘viscom’ (we always need more acronyms), is powerful, impactful and is impossible to ignore. Visual content is an effective way of communicating data and can stimulate an emotional connection. Visual content does what text alone cannot.

Graphics affect a person cognitively by increasing data comprehension and retention. Infographics, photos, videos, memes and illustrations are examples that have a major impact on the way people process information. Images can affect our emotions, stimulate creative thinking and influence how we make decisions. Visual communication has the ability to reach people despite language, geographical and cultural differences.

Visual Content

Visual content is processed in the brain’s long-term memory, while words are processed in our short-term memory. Hence the phrase, “in one ear and out the other.” On average, a person gets distracted after eight seconds. For reference purposes, it takes longer than eight seconds to recite the header of K.S.A. 79-503a. Fair market value defined; allowable variance; factors to be considered in determining fair market value; generally accepted appraisal procedures and standards to be utilized. People tend to retain about 10% of what they hear, 20% of what they read and an overwhelming 80% of what they see. It is estimated that the brain can process visual content 60,000 times faster than text. Comprehension also increases when images are paired with text.

Visual Communication

Visual communication is more effective because the brain can process, retain and understand more information quickly. As mass appraisers, we deal with large quantities of data and rely heavily on statistics that can easily be displayed visually. Visuals such as charts, graphs and diagrams are common tools used to display mass quantities of data — at times complex — into simple, easy to understand content. Far less time is needed to prepare and present information to a group if visual content is utilized. Unlike paragraphs of text, visual content is easier on the eyes and keeps the audience engaged. It requires less mental processing to understand the information being presented.

There are limitations to visual communication. Small quantities of data are not always visible as there is a limit on how much information can be displayed on a scale. Visual communication cannot be the only form of communication available. Text and audio are necessary — and essential in some instances. For example, this article.

Presentation Options

Visual communication can be presented in many ways. Slide deck presentations, like Power Point, are an easy way to display information utilizing visual content and text. Brochures are a great resource to highlight key points and spread your message. Infographics have the ability to tell a story or explain a concept and are typically easily understood by the user. YouTube videos are a great way to share information and processes audibly.

Animated videos and graphics can be a fun way to share information and keep the user engaged. Memes can tell a story with just a few words and a meaningful  image. They tend to attract a lot of attention and are shared on a multitude of digital platforms. Social media is the most popular way to share information these days. Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Snapchat are great ways to communicate with different stakeholders and open the door for community engagement and connection.

Tools

When it comes to content creating tools, Canva and PowerPoint are easy-to-use starting points.

Canva is a graphic design platform, used to create social media graphics, presentations, posters, documents, videos and other visual content. It is accessible by website or as an app. Canva is free and has paid subscriptions options such as Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise for additional functionality. PowerPoint is a powerful, easy-to-use, interactive presentation program that allows the user to create professional-looking slideshows. PowerPoint is free on Microsoft’s website once logged in and offers a paid subscription called Microsoft 365 access to additional functionality.

We hope you enjoyed this article! If you have any questions or would like to know more about how Postalocity can help you bump up your visual presence, contact us!

Article By Janae Robbins, Wyandotte County Deputy Appraiser / Published on Postalocity FEBRUARY 4TH, 2022

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

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You can read the original article here.

On July 26, 1775, the U.S. postal system is established by the Second Continental Congress, with Benjamin Franklin as its first postmaster general. Franklin (1706-1790) put in place the foundation for many aspects of today’s mail system.

During early colonial times in the 1600s, few American colonists needed to send mail to each other; it was more likely that their correspondence was with letter writers in Britain. Mail deliveries from across the Atlantic were sporadic and could take many months to arrive. There were no post offices in the colonies, so mail was typically left at inns and taverns.

In 1753, Benjamin Franklin, who had been postmaster of Philadelphia, became one of two joint postmasters general for the colonies. He made numerous improvements to the mail system, including setting up new, more efficient colonial routes and cutting delivery time in half between Philadelphia and New York by having the weekly mail wagon travel both day and night via relay teams. Franklin also debuted the first rate chart, which standardized delivery costs based on distance and weight.

In 1774, the British fired Franklin from his postmaster job because of his revolutionary activities. However, the following year, he was appointed postmaster general of the United Colonies by the Continental Congress. Franklin held the job until late in 1776, when he was sent to France as a diplomat. He left a vastly improved mail system, with routes from Florida to Maine and regular service between the colonies and Britain. President George Washington appointed Samuel Osgood, a former Massachusetts congressman, as the first postmaster general of the American nation under the new U.S. constitution in 1789. At the time, there were approximately 75 post offices in the country.

Today, the United States has over 40,000 post offices and the postal service delivers more than 200 billion pieces of mail each year to over 144 million homes and businesses in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, the American Virgin Islands and American Samoa. The postal service is the nation’s largest civilian employer, with roughly 500,000 career workers. The postal service is a not-for-profit, self-supporting agency that covers the majority of its expenses through postage (stamp use in the United States started in 1847) and related products. The postal service gets the mail delivered, rain or shine, using everything from planes to mules.

Click here if you’d like to check out some of Ben’s most famous quotes from our pals at Libertas Bellas. My favorite one is, “The U.S. Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself.”

And as always, if you would like more information on Postalocity, reach out to us!

By Nikki Stockham, Postalocity’s Client Onboarding Expert / Published JULY 30TH, 2021

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Like what we’re writing or want to see what else we can offer you? Check the links below!

Postalocity Blog – https://old.postalocity.com/news-blog/

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CONTACT US – https://old.postalocity.com/contact-us/

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