History of the MINUTEMAN CANE Award

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The new award is on display at the Lexington Senior Center, accompanied by a plaque with the names of winners. Recipients are presented with a new walking stick engraved with the date and name of the award as well as the recipient’s name. The engraving has been done by S. Lawrence Whipple for the past 19 years. The Theater Pharmacy donates the cane that is presented now on Patriots Day Morning Services. Chris Venier has graciously paid for the cane. Boston Post Cane History Although the Boston Post Awards began in 1909 as a gimmick to boost the paper’s circulation, the canes quickly became a source of pride, history and sometimes controversy. The walking sticks were made of African ebony with a 14 carat rolled gold head. When first awarded the Post predicted they would “present an interesting galaxy of the rigor and longevity of New England manhood.” In 1930 after much controversy, eligibility was opened to women as well as men. The issue of whether recipients must be natives also triggered disputes in many towns. When the Post stopped publication more than thirty years ago the source of the tradition along with most of the records disappeared. The last reported reference to Lexington’s cane was a February 16, 1931 from the Post to Lexington selectmen confirming the death of cane holder George Dennett. The first Lexington recipient of the Boston Post Cane was Charles Brown, who received his cane at the age of 93 years 3 months. Other cane holders included Patrick Ryan, Michael Montague, Dr. Ezra Taft and Dennett. th Dennett’s granddaughter Bernice Mulvey, a Dana Home resident, celebrated her 100 birthday. The original Town manager appointed committee included David Williams, Margo Shaw, Chris Venier, Dorothy Boggia, Raymond Culler, Edward Donnelly, Seymour Mandell, Natalie Masby, Lodia Parilla, Sheldon Spector, S. Lawrence Whipple and William Wildes. We have lost the following members of the committee. Margo Shaw moved to Washington State, Chris Venier has never come to meetings, Roy Culler passed away, as did Ed Donnelly, Seymour Mandell and I’m Not sure about Natalie Masby. Rev. William Wildes has moved to Florida. Cornelius Cronin is now 103 years old, enough said. New appointees are Marie Hill, Beverly Kelly, Dick Michelson. Serving next two years after receiving Cane, Horace Besecher ’03 and ’04. Donald Graham ‘06,’07 and this years winner ’07 &’08.