The entire community depends on the school’s post office for mail and shipping needs. Each day looks different in the Post Office, with staff members currently adjusting to changes brought by the ongoing renovations to the Dining Commons.
The Post Office processes the community’s parcels and other mail—anywhere from fifty to one thousand pieces each day. Mr. Joe O’Connor, manager of auxiliary services, said, “With the amount of incoming mail increasing each year, the staff are continuously seeking new ways to improve their efficiency and customer service.”
Ms. Brenda Cudney P’20 has been supervisor of the post office for 13 years. “I love interacting with different members of the community every day at the Post Office window. I like to think that I know just about everyone at the school,” she said. Ms. Cudney helps coach Varsity Diving in the winter, is faculty advisor to the Hotchkiss Republicans, and frequently volunteers in the local community. She is working on a degree in business management at Dutchess Community College and will graduate in the spring.
Mr. David VandeBogart, post office associate, has been with the school since 1987 and initially worked in the school store. Mr. VandeBogart said, “My favorite part of my work in the Post Office is interacting with students, faculty, and staff. I feel blessed to work and connect with such amazing people every day.” Mr. VandeBogart has been a volunteer firefighter in Millerton for 38 years and is currently the fire district commissioner. In addition, this spring marks Mr. VandeBogart’s fiftieth year performing as a musician and songwriter. He has played guitar with local folk-rock legend Gary Higgins and opened for many artists, including Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Dave Mason, and Ronnie Spector.
Mr. Logan Carithers, post office associate, came to the school in August 2022 with his partner, ms. janan alexandra, instructor in English. Mr. Carithers started working in the performing arts department as the music director and helped produce the 2022 HDA production of Into the Woods. He then worked in security before transfering to the Post Office last November. Mr. Carithers said, “I love driving the post office van. I like being on the move.” Mr. Carithers is also a musician and songwriter and plays guitar in a musical duo called “Sweet May Dews” with ms. janan.
Before the current renovations to the Dining Hall began, packages were delivered to the loading dock at the back of Main Building, close to the post office. However, this area has since been cordoned off due to construction.
Delivery trucks now drop mail off at the Bus Barn on Easy Street. Packages are sorted there and transported up to central campus in a van the post office staff have named “The Bearcat Express.” Packages being shipped out undergo this process in reverse.
Having to move packages up to central campus after they have been received has increased processing time significantly. The Post Office’s staff are still adapting to the system and trying to improve its efficiency. Ms. Cudney said, “We have encountered many challenges—such as with large packages and the winter weather—but we would like to thank the members of the community for their continued patience and support.”
