TEHKUMMAH––It’s been nearly thirty years since Tehkummah postmistress Joan McMurray first set up a postal outlet in her home at the corner of Hwy 542A and 10th Side Road.
“Twenty nine and three-quarters,” she says. [pullquote]“And I’ve loved every minute of it, right up until they cut my hours without even talking to me.”[/pullquote]
In a letter received by Tehkummah council in March, Dale Ratelle, acting local area superintendent, wrote that Canada Post was “modifying retail networks across the country – in rural and urban areas alike – to reflect current traffic volumes,” and that on March 25, there would be a service reduction to 22 hours weekly at the Tehkummah Post Office.
Shortly after that announcement, a flyer went out to all customers of the Tehkummah and area post office. “I will be retiring May 30,” Ms. McMurray wrote. “I would very much like to thank you all for 29 years of loyalty and friendship to my office. I will miss each and every one of you, as I have found a lot of joy and fun in serving you.”
By 9 am on May 30, the walls were bare. Ms. McMurray was waiting for representatives from Canada Post to arrive and remove the cubbyholes and equipment for temporary relocation to South Baymouth, where Tehkummah mail will be sorted until a new location is determined. “I told them not to arrive before 9:30,” she said. “I wasn’t going to feed them breakfast.” She was pleased, however, to be treated to lunch by Canada Post.
The now retired postmistress was taken by surprise by a retirement party at the Tehkummah Community Hall on June 8. Invitations had been sent out by mail on June 1 to every household except for Ms. McMurray’s.
In front of a packed hall, Reeve Gary Brown presented Ms. McMurray with a plaque of appreciation from the township. [pullquote]“This is a very special day for a special lady,” he said.[/pullquote]
Someone called for a speech. “I’ve been giving a speech for the last twenty nine and three-quarter years,” said Ms. McMurray. “Thank you very much. This was a total surprise. I’ve got some lying girlfriends.” They told her there was free music at the community hall that afternoon. “Other than that, thank you for coming.”
It was an afternoon of hugs, laughter, best wishes, and a near-fatal cake accident. Fortunately, the men were able to save it as the table collapsed and the cake slid neatly, and upright, onto the floor. Ms. McMurray took it all in stride and laughed while she cut the ceremonial first slice.
What are her plans for retirement? “I’m going to renovate right away,” she said. “Take back my kitchen. Whenever people come over they end up in my kitchen so it will be really nice to have it bigger.”
While locals may miss her friendly smile and daily conversation, they won’t have to go too far to find her. “I’m looking forward to retirement now,” she said. “I’m going to garden, visit with my grandchildren. But I’ll be around.”
