📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 26, 1963

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📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 26, 1963

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🗳️ 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.

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🏛️ 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.”

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🚧 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.”

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🚓 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.

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🔥 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.”

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🏫 School News

• Norwood High opened its fall term with 618 students enrolled, according to the TIOT yearbook.
• School Committee approved installation of new science lab counters and lighting upgrades.
• Superintendent emphasized expanded offerings in business math and mechanical drawing.
• Bus routes were adjusted to accommodate new residential developments near Ellis Avenue.
• Lunch menu for Thursday: baked ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit cup, milk.
• PTA announced a fall fundraiser to support library acquisitions and art supplies.

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🎓 Norwood High Alumni Notes

• Miss Nancy Sullivan, Class of ’57, announced her engagement to Mr. Thomas Reilly of Walpole.
• Lt. James Callahan, Class of ’50, returned from overseas duty and will speak at Veterans Day ceremonies.
• Alumni committee began planning for the Class of ’43’s 20th reunion, scheduled for spring 1964.

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🏈 Norwood High School Sports News

• Norwood High football team defeated Dedham 20–13 in a hard-fought game at home.
• Senior captain Paul O’Donnell led the team with two touchdowns and a key interception.
• Coach Reardon praised the team’s defensive line and crowd support.
• Pep rally scheduled for Friday ahead of the Walpole matchup.

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📚 Norwood Public Library News

• The library launched its fall reading contest for grades 3–6, with prizes donated by local businesses.
• A new exhibit on Norwood’s industrial history opened in the reading room, curated by the Historical Society.
• Story hour resumed on Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., led by Mrs. Helen Blake.
• Library trustees approved funding for new shelving and a microfilm reader.

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🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News

• The Norwood Senior Citizens Club hosted a fall luncheon at the Civic Auditorium with over 100 attendees.
• Mrs. Margaret O’Donnell celebrated her 90th birthday surrounded by four generations of family.
• The Senior Center announced a new chair yoga class beginning October 1.

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🧒 Youth & Scouting News

• Boy Scout Troop 3 held a weekend hike at Ellis Pond, focusing on compass skills and knot tying.
• Girl Scout Troop 9 organized a canned food drive for local families, collecting over 200 items.
• Camp Fire Girls began rehearsals for their fall pageant, scheduled for November.

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🎭 Arts & Entertainment

• Norwood Players announced their fall production of “Our Town,” opening October 10 at the Civic Auditorium.
• The Norwood High band will perform at the upcoming Harvest Festival.
• Local artist John Mahoney’s oil landscapes are on display at the Public Library through October.

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🕍 Faith & Religious Community News

• St. Catherine’s Church announced its annual Harvest Mass and youth retreat.
• The Methodist Church launched a fall Bible study series and choir rehearsals.
• The Baptist Church hosted a charity breakfast for Civil Defense volunteers.

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🛡️ Fraternal Organizations

• Knights of Columbus held their fall officer installation at the Vernon Street hall.
• Odd Fellows Lodge hosted a charity supper benefiting Norwood families in need.
• Elks Lodge celebrated its 30th anniversary with a banquet and scholarship awards for local students.
• Masonic Lodge welcomed three new members during its September initiation ceremony.

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🎖️ Veterans & Military Organizations

• American Legion announced plans for a Veterans Day parade and memorial service at Town Square.
• VFW reported successful fundraising for the Norwood Honor Roll restoration project.
• DAV chapter honored Korean War veterans with a breakfast and recognition ceremony.
• Lt. Richard Mahoney (Class of 1949) returned from overseas deployment and will speak at the November civic forum.

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🏠 War on the Homefront

• Norwood High students organized a scrap metal drive for Red Cross distribution.
• Girl Scouts hosted a knitting circle for overseas care packages at the Methodist Church.
• Civil Defense volunteers coordinated blackout drills in neighborhoods near Winter Street and Ellis Avenue.
• PTA launched a rationing awareness campaign with posters displayed in school hallways.

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🏥 Norwood Hospital & Public Health News

• Norwood Hospital announced renovations to its maternity wing and expanded pediatric services.
• Town Health Nurse launched a fall vaccination campaign for schoolchildren, including polio boosters.
• The Senior Center partnered with the hospital for weekly blood pressure screenings and nutrition workshops.

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🧭 History & Heritage Highlights

• The Historical Society unveiled a new exhibit on Norwood’s trolley era, featuring conductor uniforms and route maps.
• A commemorative plaque was installed at the original Town Hall site, marking its 80th anniversary.
• TIOT yearbook included a tribute to Mr. Charles Winslow, Norwood’s first high school principal, with archival photos and alumni reflections.

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🛍️ 💵 What Things Cost in Norwood

Groceries

• First National Stores: Canned peaches – $0.29 per can (Harvest special)
• A&P: Coffee – $0.71 per pound (Autumn blend)
• Norwood Market: Apples – $0.39 per peck (Local crop)

Clothing

• Norwood Department Store: Men’s flannel shirts – $2.89 (Back-to-school sale)
• The Hub: Women’s wool skirts – $5.49 (Fall fashion arrivals)
• Harding’s Millinery: Felt hats – $1.25 (New arrivals)

Hardware

• Norwood Hardware Co.: Snow shovels – $2.15 (Winter prep)
• J.C. Higgins: Flashlights – $1.35 (Civil Defense approved)

Services

• Norwood Cleaners: Suit cleaning – $1.35 (Same-day service)
• Town Taxi: Local rides – $0.40 flat rate
• Blake Chimney Sweep: $0.60 per flue (Seasonal prep)

Jobs

• Norwood Manufacturing Co.: Hiring stitchers and press operators (Apply in person)
• Norwood Print Works: Seeking bindery assistants and typesetters

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🧮 Norwood Business Spotlight: New Store Opening

• Blake’s Stationery opened its doors on Washington Street, offering school supplies, greeting cards, and office goods.
• Owners Harold and Jean Blake, lifelong Norwood residents, said, “We want to serve families and students with quality and care.”
• The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Selectman Margaret O’Donnell and members of the Chamber of Commerce.

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💌 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.

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🕯️ 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.

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Source: Norfolk County Press, September 26, 1963
Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1963), TIOT Yearbooks

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Compiled by the Norwood Historical Society, with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.