Photo Courtesy of Marc Vasconcellos, The Enterprise
In August 1909, Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, publisher of The Boston Post, forwarded to the Boards of Selectmen in 700 towns in New England a 14-karat gold-headed ebony cane, the head of which was personalized for each Town, with a request that it be presented with the compliments of the The Boston Post to the oldest living man in the Town, to be used by him as long as he lives, and at his death, handed down to the next eldest man in the Town. The cane remained the property of the Town and not of the man who received it. The custom was expanded to include women in 1930. West Bridgewater was included in these towns.The cane had gone missing for a period of time but was discovered in 2010 wrapped up in newspaper in Town Hall. The discovery renewed interest in the century-old tradition. North Easton Savings Bank donated a replica cane that the Town uses to give eldest residents who are honored in the custom. The original remains at Town Hall.
Ralph Robbins awarded the Boston Post Cane on October 6, 2021.
.jpg)
Previous Recipients:
Betty Lewis 2011
Ethel Moore 2013
Forrest Barber 2014
Doris Corrizzini 2016
Lois Hamel 2017
Kathyrn Lucini 2018
