Surrounded by family and friends, Tom Johnson was awarded the Boston Post Cane as the oldest citizen in Castle Hill. Johnson, who is 92 and will turn 93 on Aug. 7, was presented the traditional cane at his residence on the State Road in Castle Hill. Town Manager Jon Frederick read the history of the Boston Post Cane and the tradition behind it.
PLAQUE PRESENTATION — Castle Hill Town Selectman Rocky McHatten, at left, presents Tom Johnson with a plaque for being named the oldest citizen in Castle Hill. Johnson was awarded the traditional Boston Post Cane at a ceremony outside his Castle Hill residence. After a recipient from one of the three towns is presented with the cane, it is then returned to the Town Office to be securely stored. The plaque is awarded as a keepsake for the recipient to display in their home. Pictured with Johnson is his wife, Florence.
“On Aug. 2, 1909, Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, publisher of the Boston Post, a newspaper, forwarded to the Board of Selectmen in 700 towns* (no cities included) in New England a gold-headed ebony cane with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male citizen of the town, to be used by him as long as he lives (or moves from the town), and at his death handed down to the next oldest citizen of the town. The cane would belong to the town and not the man who received it,” noted Frederick.
“The canes were all made by J.F. Fradley and Co., a New York manufacturer, from ebony shipped in seven-foot lengths from the Congo in Africa. They were cut to cane lengths, seasoned for six months, turned on lathes to the right thickness, coated and polished. They had a 14-carat gold head two inches long, decorated by hand, and a ferruled tip. The head was engraved with the inscription: Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of (name of town) — ‘To Be Transmitted..’ In 1930, after considerable controversy, eligibility for the cane was opened to women as well,” continued Frederick.
Tom Johnson, seated, was recently awarded the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest citizen in Castle Hill. Family and friends attended the outdoor ceremony that was held at Johnson’s residence on the State Road. Castle Hill Selectman Rocky McHatten presented Johnson with the cane. Town Manager Jon Frederick read a brief history behind the Boston Post Cane, then Johnson was presented with a commemorative plaque. Pictured in back from left are: Town Manager Jon Frederick, Selectman Rocky McHatten and Selectman Herman Condon. Johnson will turn 93 on Aug. 7.
Board of Selectman Rocky McHatten, of Castle Hill, presented the cane to Johnson. Keeping with tradition, the cane will be kept at the Town Office; however, Johnson was presented with a plaque commemorating the occasion by Town Manager Frederick.
Also in attendance was Johnson’s wife, Florence, and three of their four children: Brenda Grass of Mars Hill and Adena Wilson and Mike Johnson, both of Presque Isle. Unable to attend was daughter Sally LaPlante who lives in Oregon. Pastor Donald and Kristin McDaniels of the Castle Hill Advent Christian Church, along with retired Pastor Lucy Lovely, were also present.
Mapleton’s Boston Post Cane holder is Phoebe McPherson and Chapman’s Boston Post Cane holder is Arline Knight.
Birthdays/anniversaries
Birthday wishes this week go out to: Robert Greenier, Morgan McGary, Kacey Wilcox, Sandy Crane, Geneva Guillemette, Parker Sawyer, Reno Boucher, Jr., Skyler Melton, Josh Fisher, John Edgecomb, Sheila Shaw, Amelia Dyer, Michelle Michaud and Geoff Skidgell.
Happy anniversary this week to: Brent and Duska Boyles on the 18th; Michelle and Neil Luzzi, Zack and Julie Powers, Shawn and Christi Doyen on the 19th; Woodie and Ann Garland on the 20th; Liza and Mark Hutton, Nola and Les Farley; Ross and Susan Doyen and Glendon and Anne Braley on the 24th.
AFTER ALAN WILCOX’S horse-drawn potato digger from the late 1920s-early 1930s dug a row of potatoes at the Maple Meadow Farm Fest, children were invited to pick the early crop of potatoes. Stopping to fill a bag of the golf-ball sized vegetables were, from left: Jorja Maynard, Jackson Maynard, Madelyn Buzza and Holden Stoutamyer.
