TEMPLE — A change in hours for the Temple Post Office has been postponed until February.

“As of today, the modified retail window hours at the Temple Post Office will begin on Feb. 9 and will be from 8 to 10 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturdays,” Melissa Lohnes of the U.S. Postal Service said Wednesday.

The Postal Service’s changes were intended to be completed by Jan. 9, Lohnes said in an email.

Temple Postmaster Jane Andrews decided to retire prior to the new hours starting on Monday. 

“Friday was going to be my last day,” Andrews said.

She received a call Tuesday morning asking her to stay for another month and she has agreed.

A reception honoring Andrews’ 20 years as postmaster will still be held, Jean Mitchell, one of the party organizers said. The reception will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, at the Temple Town Hall.

Since 2012, the Postal Service has been “working with postmasters and their management associates to assist affected employees try to find a landing spot,” Lohnes said.

The date was changed to February for this reason, she said. Whether employees retire, remain in their current location or seek alternate work is a personal decision.

“We have provided personal conversations to help people assess what changes suit their situations,” Lohnes said. “For those impacted employees … the Postal Service is working diligently to ensure the impact on employees is minimal.”

Andrews has been postmaster 20 years and worked in the office for about 27 years, she said.

Rows of 154 mailboxes, all accessed by combination locks, surround the window from which Andrews greets customers. There is one rural route around town, she said.

The customers have been the best part of serving the community, Andrews said.

A Temple resident herself for more than 40 years, Andrews is a member of the Temple Fire Department Auxiliary, the Temple Historical Society and the Temple ATV Club.

She enjoys her grandchildren’s sports games and is a member of Henderson Memorial Baptist Church in Farmington, she said.

Her plans “are still up in the air,” she said.

The informal reception Friday is a time to acknowledge Andrews’ service to the community, Mitchell said.

Cake and punch will be available, along with a basket for people to leave cards and messages, she said. All are welcome.

Andrews is retiring, whether now or a month from now, and everyone was looking forward to the party so they decided to go ahead with it, Betsy Graves, another party organizer, said.

“People are sad to see her go,” Graves said. “They may be surprised to see her after the fact. When the post office makes a decision, Jane can just step out (of the position), which she wanted to do anyway.”

abryant@sunjournal.com

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