Welcome to the new website of
NALC Branch 28 - St. Paul MN
Serving the Letter Carriers of St Paul and Surrounding Communities
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'Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds....'
Gazette photo by Andrew Wallmeyer
Stillwater mail carrier Ramie Howard takes a moment to chat near the end of her route on Tuesday, Dec. 4, when a snowstorm extended her workday by an hour and left her legs "feeling like jelly." Still, she said she loves the fact that her job lets her spend most of the day outdoors.
The scene from the bluffs along the St Croix River and the famous lift bridge in the background is breathtaking (especially when you are delivering mail to the houses at the TOP of the hill!)
City Carrier Ramie Howard of the Stillwater Post Office Carrier Annex on her 'appointed rounds' following the recent snowfall. The local newspaper has captured the dedication of one of the many Carriers delivering mail no matter what!
Interview below from the Stillwater Gazette at:
Valley Voices looks beyond regular newsmakers to highlight the varied residents who make the St. Croix Valley community what it is.
It may be 2,500 years since Herodotus wrote "Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds," but Stillwater mail carrier Ramie Howard makes sure that is just as true today as it was then.
When the Gazette spotted her a couple of weeks ago, a snowstorm had extended her daily 6.5-mile route by an hour and left her legs "feeling like jelly."
Still, this morning the 42-year-old Stillwater resident said having to brave the occasional snowstorm was a small price to pay to have a job she enjoys in a community she loves.
Why did you decide to become a mail carrier?
I used to work for Clinique, the cosmetics company, but nothing was ever enough with that company - no matter what you did, there were always be extra goals that you had to meet. It was frustrating and I just got burned out. I wanted to do something different, and one day on my way home from work I saw a mailman on Third Street. It was such a nice day, and I thought that looked like something I would like to do. And I do. It's one of the best jobs I ever had.
It's kind of like your own business. Other than being in the station in the morning, you're on your own. Once you're on the street, you're the one your customers associate with. When the people on my route think of the Post Office, I like to think they think of me.
Of course, there are days where of course you don't want to do it, like it is with any job, but for the most part it's been great.
What do you do when you're not working?
In the winter, I do a lot of projects around the house. I bought it six or seven years ago, and I've been moving from room to room fixing the place up, repainting and doing things like that. I also own a houseboat, and in the summer that's where you'll find me whenever I'm not working. Like a lot of my friends on the river, I like to camp on Mile Island.
Are you one of the pirate flag people?
(Laughs) Yeah, you got it. I just love being out on the river; it's so beautiful.
What is your favorite thing about the St. Croix Valley?
I think the people here are great. I don't think you could find nicer people anywhere. And it's just so beautiful; it's a beautiful place to live.
I also like the fact that Stillwater's a big enough town, but still small enough that you kind of know everybody. I love it. It's close to the Cities, and yet it's still its own little world. I think it's great.
What would you change about the area, if you could?
I would make it affordable, so that the people who grow up here and go to school here could actually afford to live here after they graduate, that they could afford to buy a house. It's ridiculous. That's about the only thing that upsets me about this town, is that it's very expensive for someone to live here who's just out of high school, and it shouldn't be that way.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
My mom always said, "Keep on dreaming. You can never dream too high, because any dream can come true." And she's been right. It seems like you can do just about anything you want, if you set your mind to it.
So, what are your dreams now? Where do you want to be in 20 years?
Doing what I'm doing, actually. I'm very happy with my life, where it's led, and the people I'm surrounded with: my family and my friends. I guess there aren't too many things I wish were different. I'm very content.
Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
My parents, Bob and Sue Howard (of Woodbury). They brought us up to have a good work ethic and always respect other people. I really appreciate the great childhood that I had.
Anything you'd like to add?
It's really nice to live in a place you love and be near your family. Everybody's close by - my sister, Pam Brand and her husband Erik live here, too, and I can walk and see my nieces and nephews. I just really enjoy it here. It's a good life, and I'm thankful for it.
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Minnesota State Association of Letter Carriers
96th Annual Convention - October 1 - 4, 2007
Roger, Mike Ciresi & Smokie
Careful what you say, Mike... you're surrounded by the pro's!
Florence doing her Franken imitation smile!
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE THE MYSTERIOUS, ELUSIVE FLAT-SORTERS?
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GARY FITCH WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS NALC
2007 HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD!! CHECK OUT GARY'S SITE (www.letterofhope2007.com) TO SEE THE AWARDS AND ADDITIONAL PICTURES
CONGRATULATIONS GARY! WE ARE ALL VERY PROUD OF YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENT!
