Small Town Post Offices

Since I moved to Harrison, I've been to our new local post office twice. Each time I was SURE I'd be run over and killed. The layout of the driveway, available on-street parking, the drive-up letter box and the front door of the building are such that anyone walking into the building from a parked car is taking their life into their own hands. Cars ZIP down the one-way street and through the parking area with reckless disregard for pedestrians and vehicles trying to back out of parking places. Once inside, the clerks are stiffly polite but largely unhelpful if you have questions about your mailing options. Overall grade:  FAIL!

I also try to avoid the post office in Clare as well. No matter how long the line is or how complicated the process for the customer at the front of the line, I never see them open the second window. The building is okay, I guess: there is a handicap ramp next to the steps to the front door, but there is a heavy door that must be negotiated at the top that could be awkward for a person alone in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter.  There are two handicap parking spaces in the large parking lot, but a patron must cross the lane to the drive up mailboxes, so still something of a hazard.  Overall grade: C+

I used to have to use the Gladwin office fairly regularly when my mom and aunt were still alive. This was a great little post office to use! Small and busy, but the patrons were happy to help you with doors and the window clerks couldn't do enough for you. The building was on street level and there was lots of on-street parking, with handicap spaces right outside the front door. There was also a parking lot in the back and a drive-up letter box, but I don't recall ever using them. Unfortunately, I think I read of some embezzlement that took place in that office, and hope it wasn't by anyone who ever waited on me! Always so polite and friendly! Overall grade:  A-

The best little post office in the area is the Farwell post office. One handicap parking space closest to the door, but the other parking spots are also easy to use. There is a short flight of stairs from the street to to front sidewalk but there are only a few parking spaces at the bottom of the steps, and they needn't be used at all. Drive-up lane is also the entrance to the parking lot, but because of the hill and the angled parking, cars don't go ripping through to the letter box. Service at the windows is excellent! The clerks take time with each patron, especially the elderly and infirm like me. I've even had one clerk keep her window open several minutes past closing time because she saw me come in. This in contrast the the Clare post office, who shut their window promptly at 4:30, even if you are still standing in line! Overall grade:  A+

So there is my review. We all need to use the post office at some time or another, so plan ahead to stop in at an out-of-town office if you are going to be out and about.  Do it on the next sunny day, because the colors are turning in Clare and Gladwin Counties!