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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHistory of the MINUTEMAN CANE Award MINUTEMAN CANE AWARD Lexington’s historic Boston Post Cane has been missing for decades, but its tradition of honoring senior citizens is being revived by the Lexington Council on Aging and the Minuteman. While the Post cane was originally presented to the eldest male resident, the new award will each year honor a Lexingtonian, 80 or older who reflects today’s active senior citizen life. The Post Cane tradition began in 1909 when Selectmen in Lexington, along with officials in 430 other New England communities agreed to present the gold-headed ebony cane donated by Post editor Edwin Grozier. Accounts suggest Grozier chose the award because the walking is an ancient symbol of defense to age and reverence of ancestors. Although the Boston Post Cane and its traditions still flourish in many communities, the trail of the Lexington cane appears to have vanished in 1931. The New Award The new award, the Minuteman Cane was presented May 23, 1988 to Edith Cheever during Older Americans Month to be eligible, nominees must;  have lived in Lexington for at least fifteen years  must be 80 years old or older  display involvement with others in the community  serve as an inspiration through their actions  must exhibit a creative approach to life through choice of either a second career, hobby or service that benefits others Nomination letters can be submitted by friends, clergy or nominees themselves by the end of March. Letters should be sent to the Council on Aging, 1475 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA Selection will be based on the above criteria by a Town Manager appointed committee. The Minuteman Cane is a gold headed walking stick that bears a striking resemblance to the Town’s missing Boston Post Cane. Margot Shaw, who found the cane in a closet of her 4 Upland Road home, donated her discovery to the Town for the award. Although the inscription and design on the gold head differ. Shaw’s walking stick bears the same 1909 date as the Post Cane. 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. Past Recipients (*deceased) 1988Edith Cheever* 1989Cornelius Cronin* 1990Ray Culler* 1991Pearl Brenchick* 1992Marian Fitzpatrick 1993Woodruff Brodhead* 1994Bessie Baker* 1995Josephine Mirabelli 1996Frances Wortman 1997Art Balou* 1998Hazel Allison 1999Angela Frick 2000James Nicoloro* 2001Evelyn Nunne* 2002Horace beseecher 2003S. Lawrence Whipple 2004Dorothy Boggia 2005Donald Graham 2006Shirley Stoltz Note: Alice ‘Mickey’ Hinkle, Minute Man associate editor, researched and started the new tradition in 1988 with the help of David Williams who was appointed the first chairman by Town Manager Richard J. White.