Pinewood post office back in business

Ken Johnston

Bucking a trend, Pinewood residents have seen their post office reopened after it closed last fall.
Joanne McCormick, the new postmaster, reopened the post office March 22nd after successfully being awarded a tender. “It came up for tender and I thought I would apply and got the job!” said McCormick last Thursday.
Her and her husband Tom added onto their home at 66 Donald St. in Pinewood to accommodate it. The office is home to 120 mail boxes that service people from as far away as Arbor Vitae as well as the residents of Pinewood.
When the post office closed last fall those mail customers were added to the Sleeman rural route. They also had to travel to either Sleeman or Rainy River to pick up or send parcels. “People missed the local service,” said Joanne. She said the first week was fairly good with many people expressing their happiness at being able to get and send their mail locally.
Even though the post office had been closed since early last fall, all the former boxholders were offered their same box numbers again and given brand new keys as new boxes were installed.
The only bump in the road for the new office has been the wet spring weather. The post office parking area was very soft and muddy last week. In fact it had to be closed and an alternate access from the road was opened with a boardwalk put in place. “We are sorry about the mess and plan to put crushed rock out there as soon as the ground dries up,” said Joanne.
The office hours are 8:30-1:30 Mon-Thurs. and 9-1 Fridays.