Lou Hebert who has been reporting and writing broadcast news in the Toledo area for four decades sent me information recently that he authored a story on the adventurous life and tragic demise of Owney the Postal Dog. I’m sure you will find his story of interest.
Click here for his article…

First Class Letters will remain at $0.44 for the first ounce and one-ounce First Class Flats will remain at $0.88; each additional ounce (or half ounce for 3.5 ounce letters) will cost an extra $0.20 (previously $0.17).

Be sure to visit the USPO web site for all of the latest rate changes.

Because of this and other economic factors the post office has nearly 500 postal closings under way, and has set a goal to close a total of 2,000 in 2011. The postal service argues that its network of some 32,000 brick-and-mortar post offices, many built in the horse-and-buggy days, is outmoded in an era when people are more mobile.

This year may see some major changes with the postal service as they try to maintain thousands of post offices and find new ways to compete in the market place.

Postal history cover collectors may want to pay closer attention to this and try to get a “Last Day of Service” cover.

Since 1981 the U.S. Postal Service has designated the month of October as National Stamp Collecting Month (NSCM).  Developed to introduce children ages 8-12 to this popular and educational hobby, the NSCM program is also intended to raise awareness about the recreational benefits of stamp collecting among all age groups.

Forest collectible souvenir sheet stamps and stamped postal cards will launch National Stamp Collecting Month for 2010. Creatures of central California’s kelp forest will swim into the nation’s mail stream when SCUBA divers unveil the Nature of America series.

In 1945, he won a Pulitzer Prize “for distinguished service as a cartoonist” and the Allied high command awarded him its Legion of Merit. His illustrated memoir, Up Front, was a bestseller. That same year, his “dogface” Willie appeared on the cover of Time.

U.S. Postal Service art director Terry McCaffrey chose to honor Mauldin through a combination of photography and an example of Mauldin’s art. The photo of Bill Mauldin is by John Phillips, a photographer for Life magazine; it was taken in Italy on December 31, 1943. Mauldin’s cartoon, showing his characters Willie and Joe, is used courtesy of the 45th Infantry Division Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Click for more information on Bill Mauldin