Valentine post office ready for another Valentine’s Day

By ALBERTO TOMAS HALPERN

VALENTINE – Love is in the air, and the Valentine Post Office is ready once again to give Cupid’s targets a unique and special cancellation stamp.

This year’s stamp design winner is Valentine ISD freshman Latham Garnsey.

Latham Garnsey

“We’ve got it ready,” Valentine Postmaster Maria Carrasco said with excitement, as she prepares to accept love letters and Valentines from across the country.

Those wishing to have the cancellation stamp on their envelope must prepare their cards or letters as normal with postage on the envelope, addressed to the person they wish to receive it. That package has to be placed in another envelope addressed to the Valentine Post Office, 311 West California Street, Valentine, TX 79854. The added effort shows your true feelings.

Without trying to break hearts, the Valentine Post Office is hoping this will not be the last year the annual ritual is possible. Recently, the United States Postal Service has threatened small post offices across the country with closure, including the small office in Valentine.

This year’s special stamp was designed by Valentine student Latham Garnsey.

“I don’t want the post office to close, it’s the heart of the community,” Carrasco said this week. She informed The Big Bend Sentinel that nothing will happen until after May 15 of this year, when she learns more information as to whether she will have to close shop or be allowed to remain serving Valentine residents. While uncertainty looms over the post office, Carrasco refuses to worry. Quoting a philosopher, she says, “Worry is like interest paid before it’s due,” adding, “Why worry today other than for the community?”

On the lighter side of things, Carrasco reminds everyone that the Marfa kindergarten class will be visiting the Valentine Post Office on Valentine’s Day to drop off their valentines and learn how the post office works. Carrasco also wants the public to know that her office is right on the highway,

“If you’re driving through, stop by.”