📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 26, 1957

🗳️ Norwood Political News

• Selectmen reviewed proposals for traffic signal upgrades at Central and Washington Streets.
• Town Clerk announced extended office hours ahead of the upcoming municipal election.
• Debate continued over zoning adjustments near Railroad Avenue, with Selectman John F. Reardon noting, “We must balance growth with neighborhood integrity.”
• Civic leaders discussed funding priorities for school infrastructure and playground safety.

🏛️ Norwood Town Meeting Decisions

• Town Meeting approved $3,000 for playground equipment at Bond Street Park.
• Voted to rezone parcels near Railroad Avenue for light industrial use.
• Accepted departmental reports from the Board of Health and School Committee.
• Selectman Margaret O’Donnell emphasized the importance of “investing in youth spaces and school safety.”

🚧 Norwood Department of Public Works News

• DPW crews completed resurfacing of Nichols Street and began curb installation on Winter Street.
• Drainage improvements underway near Cottage Street to address seasonal flooding.
• New snow removal equipment approved for winter readiness.
• Superintendent of Public Works noted, “We’re prioritizing school routes and business corridors before the first frost.”

🚓 Norwood Police Department News

• Police Chief reported successful enforcement of new school zone speed limits.
• Officers responded to a break-in at a local hardware store; investigation ongoing.
• Patrol units increased visibility near Norwood High during dismissal hours.
• Collaboration with the PTA launched a fall safety campaign for student pedestrians.

🔥 Norwood Fire Department News

• Fire Department conducted joint training with Dedham and Walpole units at Ellis Pond.
• New fire alarm boxes installed near Norwood High and the Civic Auditorium.
• Chief Callahan stated, “Inter-town drills strengthen our readiness and build mutual trust.”

🏫 Norwood School News

• Norwood High opened fall term with 612 students, per TIOT yearbook.
• School Committee approved installation of fluorescent lighting in science classrooms.
• Superintendent emphasized expanded vocational offerings in auto mechanics and bookkeeping.
• Bus routes adjusted for new student clusters near Ellis Avenue and Chapel Street.
• Lunch menu featured: Thursday – meatloaf, mashed potatoes, applesauce, milk.
• School nurse reported successful vision screenings for grades 1–6.

🤝 Norwood Civic Group & Club News

• Norwood Women’s Club hosted a lecture on postwar European recovery.
• Rotary Club announced October fundraiser for polio vaccination efforts.
• Norwood Garden Club held its annual fall flower show at the Town Hall.
• Historical Society welcomed guest speaker on Norwood’s trolley era.

🛡️ Fraternal Organizations

• Knights of Columbus held officer installation ceremony at their hall on Vernon Street.
• Odd Fellows Lodge planned charity supper for October 5, benefiting local families.
• Elks Lodge celebrated its 25th anniversary with a banquet and scholarship awards.

🎖️ Veterans & Military Organizations

• American Legion announced plans for Veterans Day observance at Town Square.
• VFW reported successful fundraising for the Norwood Honor Roll restoration project.
• DAV chapter honored Korean War veterans with a commemorative breakfast.
• Lt. Richard Mahoney (Class of 1949) returned from overseas deployment in Germany.

🏠 War on the Homefront

• Girl Scouts organized a canned goods drive for military families.
• Norwood High students collected scrap metal for Red Cross distribution.
• Methodist Church hosted a knitting circle for overseas care packages.
• Blackout drills coordinated by Civil Defense volunteers were held in multiple neighborhoods.

🏥 Norwood Hospital & Public Health News

• Norwood Hospital announced new maternity wing renovations.
• Town Health Nurse launched a fall vaccination campaign for schoolchildren.
• Senior Center partnered with the hospital for weekly blood pressure screenings.

📚 Norwood Public Library News

• Library hosted a New England landscape exhibit featuring local artists.
• Story hour resumed for children ages 5–8 every Wednesday afternoon.
• Library Board approved funding for new shelving and lighting upgrades.
• Librarian Mrs. Helen Blake noted, “We’re proud to be a hub for lifelong learning.”

🎓 Norwood High Alumni Notes

• Mary Donahue (Class of 1952) began teaching English at Norwood Junior High.
• Charles Reardon (Class of 1933) promoted to assistant manager at Norwood Trust Co.
• Alumni committee began planning for the Class of 1937’s 20th reunion.

🏈 Norwood High School Sports News

• Football team defeated Walpole 21–14 in season opener.
• Coach praised senior quarterback for leadership and passing accuracy.
• TIOT yearbook previewed upcoming matchups with Milton and Dedham.

🕍 Faith & Religious Community News

• St. Catherine’s announced Harvest Mass and youth retreat for October.
• Methodist Church launched fall Bible study series and choir rehearsals.
• Baptist Church held special service for Civil Defense volunteers.

🎭 Arts & Entertainment

• Norwood Players to perform “The Rainmaker” at Civic Auditorium.
• Civic Chorus began rehearsals for December holiday concert.
• Public Library hosted exhibit of New England landscape paintings.

🧒 Youth & Scouting News

• Cub Pack 49 held a weekend campout at Ellis Pond with knot-tying and fire safety demonstrations.
• Girl Scout Troop 7 organized a community clean-up day along Washington Street.
• Norwood Boys’ Club launched fall registration for boxing and woodworking classes.

🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News

• Norwood Senior Citizens Club hosted a luncheon at the Civic Auditorium.
• Mrs. Margaret O’Donnell celebrated her 90th birthday with four generations of family.
• Town Health Nurse announced free blood pressure screenings at the Senior Center.

🧭 Norwood History & Heritage Highlights

• Historical Society unveiled a new exhibit on Norwood’s trolley era.
• A commemorative plaque was installed at the original Town Hall site.
• TIOT yearbook featured a tribute to Mr. Charles Winslow, Norwood’s first high school principal.

🧮 Business & Employment News

• Norwood Trust Co. opened a new branch on Chapel Street.
• Local printing firm announced hiring for typesetters and bindery assistants.
• Chamber of Commerce reported a 12% increase in retail sales over last year.

🧑‍⚖️ Court & Legal News

• Probate Court listed the estate of John F. Reardon for October 15 hearing.
• Zoning Board heard appeal regarding signage restrictions on a new auto dealership.
• Civil case settled over a disputed fence line on Nichols Street.

🏡 Norwood Real Estate Transfers

• 42 Winter Street sold to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Blake for $14,500.
• Duplex on Guild Street purchased by the O’Malley family.
• Vacant lot near Ellis Avenue transferred to Norwood Builders Inc.

💌 Norwood Social Notes

• Mr. and Mrs. Harold Greene returned from a White Mountains trip.
• Engagement: Miss Ruth Kelley to Sgt. Thomas Reardon, U.S. Air Force.
• Anniversary: Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Guild marked 30 years with a family dinner.

🕯️ Norwood Obituaries & Announcements

• Mrs. Ellen McCarthy, age 84, passed away; funeral held at St. Catherine’s.
• Birth: Son born to Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dwyer of Nichols Street.
• Civic tribute paid to Mr. James Callahan for decades of service on the Board of Assessors.

Source: Norfolk County Free Press, September 26, 1957 Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1957), TIOT Yearbooks

By the Norwood Historical Society, created with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot