If a community trivia contest unfolded in Iola, be sure you pick Patti Whitcomb to be on your side in the category for matching people and street addresses.
For nearly 25 years — she was recognized with a 25-year service pin and party at the post office Thursday morning — Whitcomb has been an Iola letter carrier.
Since 2003 she has delivered letters and small packages to Iola homes east of Sycamore and south of Madison Avenue. Before that she was a substitute carrier, which had her traipsing throughout the city.
As for the trivia, give her a name and she’ll rattle off the address; or name an address — don’t try to fool her with one that’s phony — and she’ll tell you who lives there, and probably how long.
Case in point:
A few years ago a letter came to “Grandma and Grandpa,” with only a last name and no address. It took Whitcomb no time at all to figure out its destination.
A friend with whom Whitcomb worked at McDonald’s in 1983 led her to a postal career.
The acquaintance intended to take the postal exam in Fort Scott and Whitcomb went along. She scored well, which gave her a three-year window to be hired. After four interviews in Iola and one in Chanute, she got in just under the gun at Iola in November 1986.
Now, at age 52 she’s having the time of her life, and has had for quite a spell.
Whitcomb is “committed to working 30 years if my feet and health hold out,” and maybe longer.
“I love my job,” which has her walking 12 to 14 miles a day, carrying satchels that usually are a considerable load. Whitcomb figures her pace at 2 miles an hour — she has stops at practically every house on her route — and is out and about 6 1/2 hours a day.
“I like being outdoors, the change of the seasons and all, and I enjoy having a chance to visit with people,” she said. A few times patrons have been delighted that Whitcomb happened by when she did.
When she was a sub and carrying in northeast Iola, Whitcomb arrived at a house just after it caught fire.
“A little boy was burned and I sat with him until the ambulance came,” she said. Her consoling made a huge difference for the boy, who was hurting and frightened.
Another time, on South Cottonwood, Whitcomb was dropping off mail when she heard faint cries of “help, help.” She found a man in the backyard whose hip had “gone out.” She called an ambulance and stayed by his side until help arrived.
Other times just her smile and the cheery words she likes to impart turn a dismal day brighter for Iolans who might not have contact with another person all day long.
Postal work brightens Iolan’s days
