Waitsburg’s Favorite Postmaster’s Last Day

WAITSBURG - Waitsburg's be- loved Postmaster Caroline Wendt is moving on to a position in Pomeroy after more than eight years working in Touchet Valley post offices.

Wendt and her husband, Doug, are moving to Lewis- ton because of his promotion within the McGregor com- pany, she said. Her last day in Waitsburg was July 26.

"It's really bittersweet," Wendt said. "You have to start all over and it's new people. And I won't have nearly as good of help as I have here."

Wendt, age 49, is known to Waitsburg residents by her contagious energy, sense of humor and enthusiasm for her job. She has worked in the Touchet Valley in the Starbuck and Waitsburg post offices and has been at the Waitsburg office since 2007.

Before working for the United States Postal Service, she was an inter-library loan officer for five years at Walla Walla Community College. Her children, now adults, were born in Walla Walla. When Doug's job moved the family to Endicott, the postmaster at the post office asked her if she would be interested in a part-time job, and since 1990, she has nev- er looked back. She worked her way up the ladder in the postal service to postmaster.

Because of Doug's relo- cation, she will be temporar- ily working as the officer in charge at the Pomeroy Post Office.

Once she is relocated as postmaster permanently, Wendt said the postal service will hire a new postmaster for Waitsburg. In the mean- time, Terry Hessler, Wendt's sidekick and good friend at the Waitsburg Post Of- fice, will serve as officer in charge.

Wendt, who calls Hessler "Scooby Doo," said Hessler will do a great job running the operation because Hessler is "the backbone" of the office.

On Wendt's last day on July 26, she had chosen to wear a summery, pink top and shorts rather than the postal service navy blue polo shirt. As the customers strolled through the door, they offered her hugs and traded jokes and sometimes light-hearted insults.

Waitsburg resident, and former Times Publisher, Tom Baker came through the doors and brought Wendt some dog cookies and hu- man cookies and candy and presented her with a poem he had written.

Ode To Our DepartingPostmaster

Our postmaster, yes, shewas Caroline,

Usually got mail to us in

the nick of time,

It made her quite peevy,

To hear about Keeve,

But sweet treats madeher a friend of mine.

Wendt said the reason she had such a great time work- ing in Waitsburg is because of the people who come by each day to collect their mail, buy stamps and send out packages.

"They're just a really solid group of hardworking people," Wendt said.

Wendt recalls some of the more notable packages Waitsburg residents have mailed during her time. She said one person once mailed eight live, wild turkeys. They had to be shipped in express mail and when she would shut a drawer or a customer would come in, they would gobble loudly from their crates in the back room.

She said she loved it when baby chicks would come in the mail. She would allow the local children to go back and pet them. Residents also shipped dog kennels, foot lockers for military mem- bers and even bees once. She said the residents are easy to get along with and say what they mean and mean what they say.

"It's a great community to be in," she added.

She is amazed by the vol- unteers in the community who step up to complete muchneeded projects and help out those who are less fortunate. Not only are they kind people, but they're fun, Wendt said.

"And I'm all about fun," she added with a laugh.

One of her favorite com- munity members was Bill Thompson who passed away in September 2011. She said he made it easy to meet new people in town and would stop by the post office three times a day asking: "Is this the restaurant? Is this the bank?"

"We miss Bill," Wendt said.

Waitsburg residents Ste- ven Chissus and Nancy Mathews walk through the door next and ask Wendt if it's true - that she's leaving.

"Who's going to pick on me when I come in?" Chissus asks Wendt with sadness.

Wendt exchanges hugs with both, referring to Chissus as "Stephano" and says her goodbyes.

As the customers come and go, exchanging hugs and laughter, Hessler is teary- eyed and quiet.

"There are so many rea- sons we'll miss her," Hessler said. "There will be no more dancing while we put the mail out. No more singing. There are notes that have never been heard before."

Hessler added that the Waits- burg Post Office team worked well together and had a great time with Wendt in charge.

"We could have never had anybody more supportive and in our corner," Hessler said.