Orient postmaster bids farewell

Editor’s note: All week long, Erin Geismar is interviewing people around Orient, from community leaders to residents she bumps into around town.

Daniela DiStefano-Michkovits, 37, of Coram, served as Orient's postmaster for 10 years, before transferring to her new spot at the Water Mill Post Office last week.

We ran into her at the Orient Country Store last week where she visited with old customers on the day she was back in town to pack up her things.

So you came to work in Orient 10 years ago. Why stay so long?

It's beautiful out here, I mean, have you seen it? And it's a nice place, very family oriented.

What is it like to be the postmaster?

Part of it is integrating yourself into the community, finding out the family relations -- it's like being the governor!

How so?

Because there's only one or two places here where everyone goes. It's [the country store] and the post office. You know everyone. They communicate and they converse with you and you're like a line out. It's an intimate relationship. And the postmaster knows all the secrets - but I can't tell you about them.

Have you worked other places?

Pick a town -- mid-island, North Fork, South Fork. All over.

Is Orient different from other places you've worked?

It's extremely unique. It's like it's an island in its own. Once you get off the highway everything changes.

How do you feel about moving on?

I'm very sad. I'm going to miss everybody. But I'm not really gone. I'm just not working here anymore. They can come visit me at my other office.

So you really can't give away any of the secrets?

No, no. I can't do that.

How would you describe the character of Orient?

It's unique. That's it.