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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Mail Clerk Gets Stamp Of Approval

Ann Landers Creators Syndicate

Dear Ann Landers: Since people love to bash postal employees, I thought I’d let you know that they really came through for me. A few weeks ago, I inadvertently put a $25 gift certificate, which is like cash, with my outgoing mail. One week later, the gift certificate was mailed back by “Nixie Clerk First Floor” at the Oakland, Calif., Processing Center. It’s the little things in life that give optimism a chance. J.W., Walnut Creek, Calif.

Dear J.W.: Let’s hear it for “Nixie” at the Oakland, Calif., Processing Center. I wish there were more like you!

Dear Ann Landers: I read the letter from “On Needles and Pins in West Palm Beach,” who was concerned because her elderly parents got their driver’s licenses renewed automatically.

My stepfather turned 93 last December. He, too, was able to renew his license by mail. “Floyd” is getting senile, his eyesight is poor, and he refuses to wear his hearing aid. He has a bum leg and can barely maneuver the brake pedal on his car. He is very stubborn and will continue to drive until they pry the license from his fingers, which I fear one day they may do.

A few weeks ago, my mother and Floyd went somewhere, and he drove about 3 miles in the turning lane that runs between traffic. He was almost hit head-on when the lane abruptly ended.

After this incident, I called the Department of Highway Safety. Someone told me he would send an officer to see if Floyd needed to take a driving test. If a policeman showed up at the house, I was sure Floyd would instantly know it was my doing and there would be hell to pay, so I said to forget it.

Family members shouldn’t have to turn each other in. Why can’t the law be changed so that all drivers over age 70 take yearly exams? What do you say, Ann? - Frightened in Orlando

Dear Orlando: I say you’re right on. Feel free to move to Chicago. Illinois has one of the most stringent requirements in the country. We don’t renew by mail, and drivers over age 75 are given vision and driving-range tests every four years. Between the ages of 81 and 86, it’s every two years, and after age 87, it’s every year.

It’s time other states followed our lead and changed their laws.

Dear Ann Landers: I’ve enjoyed your “how I met my spouse” letters, and now, I’d like to submit mine. It was 1959, and I was in the Army, stationed in Augsburg, Germany. Two of my buddies went with me to a carnival, and we were sitting in the entertainment tent when three German girls entered. We tried to strike up a conversation, but it was very difficult because we spoke very little German and the girls spoke no English. We did figure out, however, that they were sisters.

When the girls were ready to leave, I asked the one in the middle if she would like to meet me for a soda the following evening. She said she would, and seemed pleased. The next night, the girl I was expecting did not show up. Instead, she sent one of her sisters. We did all the carnival things and had a wonderful time. We dated steadily after that for six months. She taught me to speak German, and before I knew it, we were in love. We were married in the Diedorf Catholic Church 37 years ago and have been very happy together. - Roy and Frieda, in Iowa

Dear Roy and Frieda: What a sweet story. Obviously, you and Frieda learned how to communicate with one another after all. Thanks for writing.