Ortonville-Postal Carrier Sharon Hicks has delivered bees, butterflies and even an airplane propeller. Encountered a rubber snake, mice and a deceased squirrel in a mailbox while logging thousands of miles on some rather challenging county roads.
Now, after more than 23 years of rigorous right-hand driving that covered many of the area postal routes, Hicks has retired from the post office.
‘You get to be friends and know your customers pretty well,? said Hicks. ‘Since I started on the routes there’re a lot more people and the traffic has really picked up. Package delivery has also picked up from when I started in 1984, and there’s less first class mail.?
An average route for Hicks was about 30 miles and 500 stops; car brakes last about six month, she said
While dogs and postal workers are often at odds’Hicks provided peace offerings to canines on the routes by leaving dog treats in the mailbox.
‘I hate to retire and just loved to be outside, but it’s time to move on,? said Hicks.
Hicks plans on riding out west on the back of her husband Sonny’s Honda Goldwing motorcycle and spending time with her four children and grandchildren.