by Bill Napper

STAUNTON - Through rain, sleet, hail and snow, a letter carrier here has retired after 26 years.

When Gloria Hinthorne started at the post office, gas prices were around a dollar a gallon,

The first De Lorean DMC-12 automobile, a stainless steel sportscar with gull-wing doors, rolls off the production line in Dunmurry, Northern Ireland and Lady Diana Spencer marries Charles, Prince of Wales.

She has seen a lot of history take place during her years of carrying the mail.

Many things have changed, but Gloria with her smile and her need to deliver the mail was one thing that folks on her route could count on - the mail was always delivered.

As of today, Gloria will have more time to spend with her children and grandchildren.

She also has someone else to bring her mail to her.

Of course, she'll be glad not to have to trudge through all kinds of weather to deliver the mail, but she will miss her fellow post office employees.

She'll also miss those whom she can call friends on her postal route, and they'll miss the excellent service and the many years of dedication that she has given them over the past 26 years.