Published: November 25, 2009 09:51 am      

USPS celebrates the Moonbow

USPS partners with Kentucky Parks to celebrate 85th anniversary

By Marilyn Loeser for The Times-Tribune

When the moon is full and the sky is clear, a mystical moonbow appears in the deep forest of Kentucky. In the entire world, there are only two places to view a moonbow — Cumberland Falls State Park and Victoria Falls located in southern Africa between the countries of Zambia and Zimbabwe.

When conditions are right, Cumberland Falls — known as the “Niagara of the South” because of its 125-foot-wide curtain of water — produces a faint rainbow as moonlight refracts through the waterfall mist.

In celebration of this natural phenomenon — and to observe 85 years of Kentucky Parks — the Postal Service partnered with state officials to create a special stamp and commemorative envelope.

The envelope and special postmark were designed by artist Ralph Bergmann. The envelope features the rushing falls and a postage stamp with an aerial view of Cumberland Falls — the only “rainbow at night” in the Western Hemisphere. Bergmann is known for his talent in several mediums — print and electronic to way-finding and exhibit design. The award-winning graphic artist has been published in several publications including How Magazine and Graphics.

During the anniversary celebration, Resort Park Manager Lisa Davis welcomed more than 100 visitors, postal officials and park personnel to the event including Kentucky State Parks Commissioner Gerry Van der Meer, Deputy Commissioner Steve Brooks, Resort Parks Director Kerry Lamb, Assistant Director John Paul, Corbin Mayor Willard McBurney and State Representative (82nd District) Charles Siler.

For more information on Kentucky parks, and moonbow viewing, visit the Web site http://www.parks.ky.gov.