USPS Dedicates Rawlings Stamp

“What better location to immortalize Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings on postage than the captivating surroundings that inspired her work,” USPS General Counsel Mary Anne Gibbons said.

Rawlings becomes the 24th person inducted into the Postal Service’s Literary Arts commemorative stamp series, joining other American literary giants Ernest Hemingway, T.S. Eliot, Herman Melville and John Steinbeck. She is best known for her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Yearling, and her memoir, Cross Creek.

“We are gratified the Postal Service is recognizing Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings’ importance to our nation’s literary heritage,” said Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Society President William Jeter. “This stamp will help communicate her contributions and entice young readers to explore her writings.”

Regions Bank Cuts Ribbon

The new branch of Regions Bank, which has opened at the corner of Tower Rd. and SW 24th Ave. in Gainesville, held its ceremonial ribbon cutting on February 29. While the bank has been opened since late December, the new facility used the ribbon-cutting weekend to host a huge grand opening event.

On Saturday, March 1, the bank held a public grand opening featuring a bounce house, a money grab machine and a number of other games, food and prizes.

The new Regions Bank branch is located at 7515 SW 24th Ave.

Rodriguez Employee of the Year For 2007

Newberry Fire Department chief David Rodriguez was named the city’s “Employee of the Year” for 2007.

Chief Rodriguez has worked for the city of Newberry since 1991, when he was hired as a part-time firefighter. He worked his way through the ranks and currently supervises a department consisting of 16 employees.

Chief Rodriguez also is the code enforcement officer for Newberry. The City of Newberry Fire Department is a four-man engine advanced life support system company and it averages 900-1,000 calls per year. It also backs up Alachua County Fire Rescue.