When I moved to Pinehurst in 1973, Dick Taylor, editor of Golf World magazine (then published here) took me in hand to the village post office.

"You will enjoy getting your mail here every day," he said. "At one time or another, all of your neighbors will be here to collect their mail. This is the social center of the village."

My home had been in Upper Montclair, N.J., with home delivery every day, including Saturdays. I wondered why I would enjoy a daily interruption to drive to get my mail. Very quickly I learned that "getting the mail" was more than taking your key and opening the box. It was the heartbeat of the village.

Retirees came. Housewives, businessmen, shopkeepers came. Even visitors would find their way to our venerable post office. They would be served, then ask questions of the "locals" as to what shops were close by. A friendly village with a friendly little post office was an attraction that served tradesmen and visitors.

No more.

Today the windows are open only a few hours. Staff, while very capable, has been reduced to a breaking point. Business people, who do not have delivery to their offices and stores, must alter their schedules to have window service, even though their rented post office boxes are available over greater hours.

Dick Taylor was correct 35 years ago. The Post Office was more than a place to "get your mail." The camaraderie of patrons doesn't exist now because of the reduced hours of operation. Let's have a correctable return to tradition.

I know it is not the responsibility of the U.S. Postal Service to provide a social meeting place for those going to get our mail. But it robs the citizens of our area of an unusual opportunity to provide something not found elsewhere. Visiting at the Pinehurst P.O. is a tradition of this village.

Some of us no longer consider the lobby of the old structure as the home of the town crier, but in its day it has been the platform from which news of our town, of our country and our world has been spread. Some of the best rumors were born there, but also many of the most significant municipal problems gained their first exposure. It was a place to get your mail, hear the news and state your case.

I don't think electioneering is permitted on government property -- except, of course, in the halls of Congress. But many an ear was bent while our Pinehurst friends were waiting to unlock their boxes or transact business at the windows.

We are growing. In these 35 years, our village population has more than doubled. And more will come. We have committees studying the long-range plans and the expanded business district. In fact, if I understand it, there will be two districts that are principally retail centers. And as we grow, there will be new business offices as well. Maybe even new banks. And nice homes, too.

All of these will need postal service, as offered by our village post office.

We are a growing community. And why not! Pinehurst is a great place to live, enjoy leisure time, and work if we must. Maybe two jobs.

Good fortune has rained on Pinehurst because of the worldwide knowledge of our golf tournaments, our courses, our climate and our friendship. Progress is forecast in so many areas that it seems unfortunate that a principal service outlet, such as our Village Post Office, takes a step backward by reducing the hours when its mailing windows are open for use. Instead of normal business-day service, it has become an Olympic challenge -- hurry, hurry, the window's closing.

Progress is not measured by retrenchment. Restoring the hours of full operation at the Pinehurst village post office would benefit a grateful citizenry downtown. And again, "getting the mail" would be taking care of required postal business, such as stamps and mailing packages.

And -- who knows? -- some of us old-timers might still do a bit of rumor-mongering during "mail call."

John Derr was a longtime sports correspondent for CBS before retiring to Pinehurst.