New Mexico's Unique Native American Communities

There are 23 Indian tribes located in New Mexico- Nineteen Pueblos, three Apache Tribes (the Fort Sill Apache Tribe, the Jicarilla Apache Nation and the Mescalero Apache Tribe), and the Navajo Nation.

The nineteen pueblos are comprised of the Pueblos of: Acoma, Cochiti, Isleta, Jemez, Laguna, Nambe, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, Sandia, San Felipe, San Ildefonso, Santa Ana, Santa Clara, Santo Domingo, Taos, Tesuque, Zuni and Zia.

Each Tribe is a sovereign nation with its own government, life-ways, traditions, and culture.  All Welcome visitors, but you should check ahead of a visit, as some communities close unexpectedly for religious or other cultural observations.

I thought it was interesting that the Pueblo of Jémez is the only remaining Towa-speaking pueblo. It has no common written form, as tribal rules do not allow the language to be transcribed; linguists describing the language use the Americanist phonetic notation. The Jemez people are internationally known for arts and crafts. Pottery such as bowls, seed pots sgraffito vessels (elaborately polished and engraved), wedding vases, figurines, holiday ornaments, and famous storytellers are now in collections throughout the world.

Im working on a pueblos of New Mexico collection. This shows 4 of 19 covers that I have obtained. I plan to carry on with pueblo covers to complete my collection this year. A request for Jicarilla Apache Nation, Laguna Pueblo and the Mescalero Apache Tribe was sent at the end of Dec. 

The Mescalero Tribe's mountainous lands present exciting opportunities for outdoor adventurers. Hunting, fishing, hiking, clay shooting and biking opportunities are found throughout the area. During the winter, plan to slide down the slopes of Ski Apache, (the best New Mexico Ski resort) which we visited when we were stationed in New Mexico.  Received 1.8.2024

Nazareth Mich. Dec 24 2023

 NAZARETH, Mich. — Every year, thousands of Christmas cards and envelopes are sent to the Nazareth Post Office in Kalamazoo County, all to receive a hand stamp cancellation. This tradition has become a favorite among people who love sending holiday greetings.

During the busy holiday season, the post office is filled with people dropping off packages and buying stamps. However, it is the number of Christmas cards pouring in that truly keeps the post office staff busy. Each card that arrives at the post office is given a hand cancellation stamp.

Postmaster Terri Sootsman told FOX 17 that they receive around 38,000 letters from all over the world every December, all requiring a hand cancellation. The hand cancellation involves stamping a black mark over the stamp, so that it cannot be reused.

With her retirement just around the corner, she's grateful to see the tradition is alive and well. She believes that there is plenty of demand for the hand cancellation service and sees no reason for it to stop. Not only does it bring people to the post office, but it also adds to the spirit of the entire Christmas season.

I was happy to receive this cover with a Dec 24, 2023 postmark date. 

If you want to have your holidays cards hand canceled, be sure to drop them off  or send them to the post office each year by dec 31. 

I also purchased a Christmas star station cover on ebay by ksc cachets who had prepared this event cover. 

Waupaca Wisconsin Pictorial

 The City of Waupaca is a vibrant, small city located in east central Wisconsin boasting the beauty and seclusion of a rural setting and all the amenities and conveniences to rival big city living. While the resident population is approximately 6,400 persons, Waupaca’s service area increases to 15,000 people including surrounding townships and to approximately 30,000 people during the summer tourist season. The Waupaca area is among the Midwest’s most popular tourist destinations, including the famous Waupaca Chain O’ Lakes. As abundant outdoor recreational opportunities continue to beckon thousands to the community, the local economy is also supported by vigorous manufacturing and service industries, providing local employment opportunities as well as goods and services in a global economy. Waupaca is 2 hours from Milwaukee and Madison. 

The many spring-fed lakes are perfect for family fun throughout all seasons. Go boating, kayaking, fishing, hiking, biking, sightseeing, snowmobiling, shopping and more to make memories here with your favorite people.

2023 was the 5th Annual christmas stamp pictorial postmark. 

Dec 31 2023- 123123

 The last day of the year is marked by the date 12/31/23, or, written consecutively, 123123. The date is not only interesting, it's super rare: The series of numbers only happens once a century, and it has significance in numerology.

New Year's Eve always comes with fanfare, as we reflect on the past year before ringing in the next one. This year is no different, but the date of New Year's Eve has a special meaning, and it's worth taking note before you sing "Auld Lang Syne."

Is 123123 an angel number?

If you see a series of numbers all the time, that's an angel number, and some people recognize them as a sign from a higher power. The Old Farmer's Almanac explains that 123123 can depict a "spiritual awakening." It also "feels like a 'mental preparation' for a year that will bring a completely new energetic landscape."

We hope you embrace this energy as you welcome 2024!

Artwork created by Ria Cabral for Dec 31, 2023 -- 123123 covers.

Merry and Bright at Star Station in North Carolina

 

Star, NC- The star post office once again spread holiday cheer in 2023 by continuing its annual tradition of offering a special holiday pictorial postmark.

2023 was the 37th - consecutive year for the postmark in Star. Cancellation of cards and letters started on Dec.1 and was available all month. 

I get excited each year for the new holiday postmark. Visitors come from near and far to get their holiday mail postmarked and you can request it by mail if you can not make it to the location. 

I remember in 2022 approximately 25,000 cards and letters were cancelled by hand and I am sure it would be a similiar amount in 2023.

It is wonderful to be able to obtain the postmark by mail order by following a few simple steps. As long as you affix postage to an envelope or postcard, addressing the envelope or postcard for mailing, and placing the envelope or postcard in a larger cover envelope- you will always get your envelope or postcard returned to you once postmarked.

Sending stamped envelopes and postcards without addresses for cancellation is also acceptable, as long as a larger envelope with adequate postage and a return address are provided for the item to be returned to the requestor.  I have seen a lot of artwork covers being sold on ebay and I am sure this is the option they do to add artwork to an already postmarked cover.

Lollypop Farm Commemorating its 150th Anniversary

 

Fairport, N.Y. (2023) This year marks the 150th anniversary of Lollypop Farm in the Greater Rochester Community. As part of the celebration of its 150 th anniversary, the organization displayed a historic exhibit at the Rundel Memorial Library Anthony Mascioli Gallery and a pictorial postmark was offered. It spans from 1873 to now.

It's been inspiring to learn more about the history of Lollypop farm and it has been a part of so many lives throughout their community, animals and people alike. To prepare for this celebration it took over a year of planning. Along with my returned cover, I received a card showing the organizations mission statement and a sticker- all which makes up my page for display.

I am happy to have this pictorial postmark for the momentous occasion, and grateful for the organization with a compassionate world for all animals.  Lollypop farm stands as a testament to the valuable work that is accomplished when staff work together for pets and people throughout the greater Rochester area. 

Chief Standing Bear Lincoln Nebraska

I am super excited to receive my chief standing bear cover today which was postmarked Dec 26th, 2023. Particular interest to the postmark and signature applied to this cover.

The chief standing bear stamp was originally issued on May 12, 2023 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Artist of this stamp is Thomas Blackshear II and designed by Derry Noyes, Washington, DC.

There were 18, 000, 000 stamps of this design printed.