Colorful and Tasty Help Communicating With Campers

Peter Rexford
Wed, 08 Jul 2015 21:00:00 -0700
Lifestyle

I'd wager the Postal Service appreciates summer. So, too, for Christmastime. I say that because mail has to pick up during those periods. Christmas is obvious because holiday cards remain familiar harbingers of the season. Millions are sent as the tradition of a century ago continues.

As for the summer, think camp. I stopped in a variety store last week and ran into a display dedicated solely to note cards and letter kits designed for messages sent to and received from campers. That, too, is something that is that hasn't changed over the years.

Speaking from experience, getting mail at camp was, far and away, a major highlight. Of course, upon arrival all campers were required to jot a note home to say they were happy, had a great counselor or bunkmates and were not being held hostage. The proactive and thoughtful parent would have sent a letter or two the day before their camper left so they would get it in mail call the next day. Woe to the camper who didn't write or receive mail.
Updated: Thu Jul 09, 2015

I'd wager the Postal Service appreciates summer. So, too, for Christmastime. I say that because mail has to pick up during those periods. Christmas is obvious because holiday cards remain familiar harbingers of the season. Millions are sent as the tradition of a century ago continues.

As for the summer, think camp. I stopped in a variety store last week and ran into a display dedicated solely to note cards and letter kits designed for messages sent to and received from campers. That, too, is something that is that hasn't changed over the years.

Speaking from experience, getting mail at camp was, far and away, a major highlight. Of course, upon arrival all campers were required to jot a note home to say they were happy, had a great counselor or bunkmates and were not being held hostage. The proactive and thoughtful parent would have sent a letter or two the day before their camper left so they would get it in mail call the next day. Woe to the camper who didn't write or receive mail.

At any good camp, forget about the Internet. It's not available. And, while some inbound emails from parents might be an option, that's for slackers. Letters are better. Plus, overnight camps are in remote locations — usually the woods. This is what it's all about. Explore. Take a break. Unplug. Let a kid build a campfire, discover the stars, play a game, make a craft and experience things campers have forever. They will be back to texting, Instagram and Twitter soon enough.

Preparing for camp involves getting just the right cards or stationery. Naturally, that also means just the right stamps.

It's hard to capture the essence of summer on a tiny stamp. The USPS has to help out a little. With a pending lineup of summer stamps commemorating people such as Paul Newman, Elvis (a new issue) and Ingrid Bergman, this year's prospects didn't seem promising. Happily, last week, summer exploded onto four new stamps showcasing iconic farm-fresh fruits and vegetables the likes of which are found at country stands near any good summer camp.

The four new stamps reflect the classic designs and lettering on vintage fruit and vegetable crates containing watermelons, sweet corn, cantaloupes and tomatoes. The colors on the stamps are equally tantalizing. They are the kind of stamps that suggest fun and fresh foods only available during the summer months. They are currently available at post offices nationwide.

Collectors can still get First Day of Issue cancels on the four stamps by purchasing them at a local post office, affixing them to a self-addressed envelope and sending that inside of a separate mailing envelope to: Summer Harvest Stamps, 2000 Royal Oaks Drive, Sacramento, CA 95813-9998.

Whether because of summer months, the economic situation in Greece or simply the allure of shiny precious metals at lower than normal prices, silver coins are jumping off the shelves. According the U.S. Mint, all 2014 silver American Eagle 1-ounce coins are sold out and the current supply of the 2015 silver coins has also been depleted — for now.

The Mint's facility at West Point is in the process of gearing up to produce even more. By the end of July, they should be restocked but it does beg the question of why precious metals are so popular among casual and serious investors. The answer is probably in the price.

Just over three years ago, silver was teetering on the $35 per ounce range. Today, it is resting comfortably at less than half that at $15 an ounce. Gold too has seen a marked change. In the same time frame it has dropped from almost $1,800 an ounce to less than $1,200 now.

What the future holds is anyone's guess but when anything drops this much in price it gets loads of attention and bargain hunters. I'll be sure to keep you posted.

Editor's Note: A JPEG visual of the four new Summer Harvest stamps has been sent with this column.