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.