The Mailbox
BY IRENE FRANK
“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom
of night stays these couriers from the swift
completion of their appointed rounds.”
These words were chiseled into the granite
entranceway of the main post office building
in NYC over 100 years ago. Today, the mailbox
is in peril of extinction.
Watching people’s expressions as they leave
the mailroom, I realize that the mailbox is the
#1 item used daily, yet rarely given notice.
They are ubiquitous and our chief informers
of what’s going on in our world.
Mailboxes can bring us joy or despair or
hope. Think about how its contents can affect
or even change our lives forever. Perhaps some
of these messages might have appeared in the
mailboxes you use:
“Greetings, you are
Number 231 and assigned to
Fort Bragg for the Army ori-entation
on Aug. 10, 1942.”
“Dear John, you’ll always
be dear to me BUT…”
“Betty, won’t you be my
valentine?”
“You are cordially invited
to the wedding of David
Frank to Abigail Cohen.”
“Dear Veteran, enclosed is
your medication. Thank you
for your service.”
“Liberty Mutual sends you
your new insurance policies.
Note the additional fees.”
“It is with pride
that we announce
your acceptance to
Columbia University.
Orientation is Sept. 1.
Please check box as to
your sexual identity.”
“We are sorry but
your novel, though
very astute, does not
fit in with our goals at
this time.”
“It is with joy that
we announce that you
are the recipient of this
year’s Nobel Prize for
literature.”
“Please use this
absentee ballot with
care. It is unlawful to
vote more than once.”
“Thank you for
your first contribu-tion
to Commonpoint
Queens. Send addi-tional
It’s a Shoe-In! Photo by Abby Frank at
Saks Fifth Ave.-Aug., 2020
contributions ASAP to gimmemo-re.
com.
“No the Visa card is correct. It seems you
bought a Colorado ranch on Oct. 3 for $5
million. Please check your sales slip and your
memory.”
“Yes, Bed, Bath & Beyond has sent you an
80% off coupon. P.S. The store remains closed
due to the pandemic.”
“So sorry to inform you that Lehman
Brothers started bankruptcy proceedings and
your portfolio has gone down 96%. You may
now file for bankruptcy.”
“You are required to pay this $952.35
speeding ticket for going 1/2 mile over the
speed limit in a school zone. If you choose to
have a hearing before the judge, it is advised
to bring food, a blanket and pillow, and an
alarm clock.”
Benjamin Franklin created the US Post
Office in 1775, but he was by no means the
forefather of written communication. In pre-historic
times, Shamans painted information
on cave walls. Ancient Egyptians used hiero-glyphics
in praise of their kings. The Dead Sea
Scrolls revealed the cultural life of an ancient
people. Couriers were entrusted to bring news
to heads of states; some were beheaded if the
news was bad.
Homing pigeons, a metal box on a stake,
a slot in a door, a blue curbside container,
a private numbered box in a post office, a
container hanging on a brick wall with
brackets for magazines, a cubicle in a co-op
mailroom—all mailboxes delivering the news
of the day.
In today’s world, the word “mailbox” has
taken on another meaning. It is a storage loca-tion
for electronic messages. If you don’t find
the message you are expecting, check your
inbox, your outbox, spam or trash.
I conclude with an urgent plea: “Please,
please, bring back the pigeons!
***VOTER’S GUIDE 2020***
Voting in the General Election is a little confusing this year. Below are important dates
and your local locations for casting your ballot. Guidance regarding voting by mail is also
provided. We hope you find this information helpful. For more info, visit: voting.nyc.
GENERAL ELECTION
Tuesday, November 3, 6am-9pm
North Shore Towers
EARLY VOTING
Saturday, October 24 – Sunday, November 1
Creedmoor Hospital
79-25 Winchester Blvd., Queens Village
Date Hours
Oct. 24 10am – 4pm
Oct. 25 10am – 4pm
Oct. 26 7am – 3pm
Oct. 27 12pm – 8pm
Oct. 28 12pm – 8pm
Oct. 29 10am – 6pm
Oct. 30 7am – 3pm
Oct. 31 10am – 4pm
Nov. 1 10am – 4pm
VOTING BY MAIL
Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: October 27
Ballot must be postmarked by November 3
How do I request a ballot?
Online at nycabsentee.com
Call 1-866-VOTE-NYC (1-866-868-3692)
What reason should I select on my ballot request form?
You can choose “Temporary illness or disability,” which includes the risk of contracting COVID.
Am I still eligible to vote in person if I request a ballot?
Yes, you can vote early in person (Oct. 24 – Nov. 1) or on Election Day even if you request a
ballot.
I’m worried about the mail. Can I drop off my ballot after I receive it?
Yes! You can drop off your ballot at any NYC Early Voting site, Election Day poll site, or Board of
Elections office. Ballot boxes will be located inside at the front desk in every location.
October 2020 ¢ NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER 25
/nycabsentee.com
