📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 27, 1956

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📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 27, 1956

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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.
• Civic leaders debated zoning adjustments near Railroad Avenue and funding for school repairs.

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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.

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🚧 Department of Public Works News

• DPW completed resurfacing of Nichols Street and began curb installation on Winter Street.
• Drainage improvements underway near Cottage Street to address seasonal flooding.
• Snow removal equipment inspected ahead of winter season.

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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.

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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 emphasized readiness for fall chimney fire season.

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🏫 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.
• PTA launched a fall fundraiser to support library acquisitions and art supplies.

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🎓 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.

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🏈 Norwood High School Sports News

• Football team defeated Walpole 21–14 in season opener.
• Senior quarterback praised for leadership and passing accuracy.
• Pep rally scheduled ahead of the Milton matchup.

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📚 Norwood Public Library News

• Library launched fall reading contest for grades 3–6.
• Exhibit on Norwood’s industrial history opened in the reading room.
• Story hour resumed Wednesdays at 3:30 p.m., led by Mrs. Helen Blake.
• Trustees approved funding for new shelving and lighting upgrades.

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🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News

• Senior Citizens Club hosted a luncheon at the Civic Auditorium.
• Mrs. Margaret O’Donnell celebrated her 90th birthday with family.
• Chair yoga class announced for October at the Senior Center.

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🧒 Youth & Scouting News

• Boy Scout Troop 3 held a weekend hike at Ellis Pond.
• Girl Scout Troop 9 organized a canned food drive for local families.
• Camp Fire Girls began rehearsals for their fall pageant.

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🎭 Arts & Entertainment

• Norwood Players to perform “The Rainmaker” at Civic Auditorium.
• Norwood High band scheduled to play at the Harvest Festival.
• Local artist John Mahoney’s oil landscapes on display at the Public Library.

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🕍 Faith & Religious Community News

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

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🛡️ Fraternal Organizations

• Knights of Columbus held officer installation ceremony.
• Odd Fellows Lodge hosted charity supper for local families.
• Elks Lodge celebrated 25th anniversary with banquet and scholarship awards.

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🎖️ Veterans & Military Organizations

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

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🏠 War on the Homefront

• Girl Scouts hosted knitting circle for overseas care packages.
• Norwood High students collected scrap metal for Red Cross.
• Civil Defense volunteers coordinated blackout drills near Winter Street.
• PTA launched rationing awareness campaign in schools.

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🏥 Norwood Hospital & Public Health News

• Hospital announced renovations to maternity wing and expanded pediatric services.
• Town Health Nurse launched fall vaccination campaign for schoolchildren.
• Senior Center partnered with hospital for weekly screenings.

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🧭 History & Heritage Highlights

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

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🛍️ 💵 What Things Cost in Norwood

Groceries

• First National Stores: Canned peaches – $0.25 per can
• A&P: Coffee – $0.69 per pound
• Norwood Market: Apples – $0.39 per peck

Clothing

• Norwood Department Store: Men’s flannel shirts – $2.49
• The Hub: Women’s wool skirts – $4.98
• Harding’s Millinery: Felt hats – $1.25

Hardware

• Norwood Hardware Co.: Snow shovels – $1.89
• J.C. Higgins: Flashlights – $1.25

Services

• Norwood Cleaners: Suit cleaning – $1.25
• Town Taxi: Local rides – $0.35
• Blake Chimney Sweep: $0.50 per flue

Jobs

• Norwood Manufacturing Co.: Hiring stitchers and press operators

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🧮 Norwood Business Spotlight: New Store Opening

• Blake’s Stationery opened on Washington Street, offering school supplies and office goods.
• Owners Harold and Jean Blake said, “We want to serve families and students with quality and care.”
• Ribbon-cutting attended by Selectman Margaret O’Donnell and Chamber of Commerce members.

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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 Free Press, September 27, 1956
Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1956), TIOT Yearbooks

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