Lesley Carter Blethen, postmaster at Boothbay Harbor Post Office, is retiring in a couple weeks. After 32 years with the postal service and five and half years in the Army, she is passing on the keys to the kingdom. It’s been quite a journey.

Lesley did assure me that she was not going to return to boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, or ship out to Germany or Korea, which must have been  significant adventures in 1986. She was able to utilize her years of military service when finally beginning to work at the post office in Boothbay Harbor.

In 1992 Lesley got her first post office job with postmaster Elaine Edwards in Boothbay Harbor as what is called a casual carrier. Soon Lesley moved up to “PTF” ( Part Time Flexible)  status,  a regular workforce position. This gave her the opportunity to move around a bit and gain experience.

In 1996 Lesley married Brian Blethen. They met while helping to coach basketball at Boothbay Region High School -- Brian  with legendary I.J. Pinkham and Lesley with Lauren Webster Brown. Mr. Blethen was stationed with the Coast Guard in Boothbay Harbor at the time. When he was transferred to California,  Lesley also transferred.

An interesting small factoid -- Lesley was part of the 1984 BRHS basketball team which won the state championship. In 2019, the BRHS girls’ team again won the state championship and the Blethen daughters were part of that team coached by their father. Both young ladies have gone on to play basketball, Faith at George Washington University and Glory at the Coast Guard Academy.

In 1999, after returning from California, Lesley became postmaster in Damariscotta and then moved on to be PM Boothbay Harbor in 2004. This was a great move for Lesley and family as she was able to be more present and involved in her daughter’s busy lives and athletic careers. Lots of travel!  

In 2018 Lesley moved on “again” to work in Portland with the District Consumer Affairs Office. This office was responsible for investigating and resolving customer complaints in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Lesley is quick always, to acknowledge  dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to help customers. But, in 2022, when Covid hit, the drive to and from Portland got a little crazy,  Short staffed at the office meant longer hours for her and her team. Often Lesley would leave home at 6 a.m. and sometimes not get home until 8:30 at night!  

“Thank goodness for Books on Tape” Lesley admits! Travel seemed to be an inescapable “perk” as Lesley also traveled away from Maine for meetings and training.

Now, at the tender age of 57, Lesley is making another move. This time the commute will be less stressful and more personal. She sees travel with her husband in the future, some volunteering, YMCA fitness, and work with children. And why not?

Although I feel Lesley has benefited from all that she has done and learned during her Post Office career, it will be nice to coast for a bit with a little free time. Lesley is a true advocate for the postal service and feels that it provides great opportunities, especially for young people just entering the work force. Given all that Lesley has accomplished, I think her endorsement is well worth consideration.  

Fair winds Lesley. See you around the Village. All the best.