By Tim Badgley
From left, sisters Susanne Nelis of South Bristol and Victoria Munsey of Torre Pellice, Italy, visit with South Bristol Postmaster Wayne Benner at his retirement party at the South Bristol School July 16. (Tim Badgley photo) |
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Both sporting Flintstone neckties, retiring South Bristol Postmaster Wayne Benner raises a toast to his co-worker Bob Emmons in the South Bristol School gymnasium July 16. (Tim Badgley photo) |
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The South Bristol Historical Society hosted a program to honor retiring South Bristol Postmaster Wayne Benner, attended by more than 185 residents and friends July 18.
The historical society held the event in the South Bristol School gymnasium, which it decorated with dozens of historical artifacts from the various post offices
that have existed in South Bristol during the past two centuries.
Benner, of Nobleboro, will bring his 38-year career with the U.S. Postal Service to a close on Sept. 30. He has spent the last 21 years serving the residents of
South Bristol as their postmaster.
Society Co-presidents Ellen Wells and Cathy Stockwell shared the duties of host during the program. A PowerPoint presentation narrated by Stockwell provided a
thorough review of all the past post office locations and postmasters of South Bristol, illustrated with many historical photos.
Stockwell said the history of the South Bristol post offices includes Walpole, where the first post office was established; Clark’s Cove, known then as West Bristol;
and the seasonal post offices at Christmas Cove and on Heron Island.
According to Stockwell, South Bristol resident Kathy Norwood recalls working two summers for the Christmas Cove post office as a young girl. Tourists would bring
Christmas cards in the middle of summer for the Christmas Cove postmark. The seasonal post office closed for good in 1973.
The last postmaster on Heron Island was Frank Jordan who closed that post office in 1953. Stockwell said by all historical accounts, Jordan was beloved by South
Bristol residents.
“And we love our postmaster Wayne Benner,” Stockwell said in concluding her visual presentation.
Following Stockwell, Benner’s co-workers, Bob Emmons, of South Bristol, and Bill Rittall, of Nobleboro, performed a skit riddled with knee-slapping groaners and puns
poking fun at the U.S. Postal Service.
For example: “Do you know the difference between a postal worker and a chess player?” Emmons asked. “A chess player moves occasionally.” And so it went as a gentle
roast of Benner, their co-worker and friend.
Emmons, who works as a postmaster relief at the South Bristol post office when Benner is not working, continued the roast as a solo act with a biographical sketch of
Benner accompanied by gag photographs projected onto the screen.
He concluded by turning serious and said he could not think of a better postmaster in the entire postal system.
When Emmons signed on as a postmaster relief following his retirement as a college professor after 31 years, he thought it would last one, maybe two years at most.
“It’s been 7 1/2 years now,” Emmons said. “I’m going to go out with Wayne Sept. 30 because I simply couldn’t work with anyone else. It’s been too much of a
pleasure.”
Benner took the microphone and said one of his favorite sayings while working in South Bristol was “just another day in paradise.”
Benner said he did not really have any great words of wisdom.
“I’ll leave you with this, ‘Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,'” Benner said. “Remember me and smile. Thanks for the memories. I do appreciate
everybody coming.”
The entire audience rose to its feet for a long-lasting ovation as Donna Plummer came forward to present Benner with gifts that commemorated his passion for cartoon
characters.
Plummer said Benner is known both for his passion of wearing colorful neckties and collecting lunchboxes. Plummer received two ties, one in hot pink embroidered with
the numbers 04568, the South Bristol ZIP code. He was also given a collectible lunchbox.
Deb Cook, of Portland, who also owns a summer cottage in South Bristol, said Benner is a terrific guy who takes great care to make sure the mail is delivered
accurately and quickly.
“He’s personable, pleasant, happy to talk about his kid, happy to talk about what’s going on with you,” Cook said.
Cook said the real game for her and her husband is figuring out the best time to get to the post office when there won’t be a line, just to talk with Benner.
“It isn’t about just picking up the mail,” Cook said. “We go to see Wayne. We’ll miss him.”
Two sisters who grew up in South Bristol, Suzanne Nelis, still a resident, and Victoria Munsey, of Torre Pellice, Italy, also said Benner is a beloved member of the
community.
Nelis said, “He’s such a wonderful person, he’s so special.”
Munsey said Benner makes everyone feel comfortable. What she likes most about seeing him when she returns to South Bristol is that he knows the correct postage for
sending a postcard to Italy.
Benner moved easily through the crowded reception area where cake and other refreshments were being served, talking all the while with people as he met them.
A large poster board was set up as a group retirement card for Benner. One signer, Sally Leeman, a longtime South Bristol resident, was taking her time thinking
about what to write when she said she was going to miss him even though she didn’t come to the post office very often.
“He always made you feel like a friend,” Leeman said. “I think I’ll write that on the card.”
Toward the end of the evening, while standing next to his cohorts Emmons and Rittall, Benner said it had been a great party and was a lot of fun for him.
“I’m looking for the next adventure in my life,” Benner said. “And we’ll go from there.”
