📰 Norwood News of the Day – September 28, 1961

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🗳️ Norwood Political News

• The Norwood Board of Selectmen reviewed a petition to rezone parcels along Route 1 for commercial use.
• Selectman John J. Sheehan expressed concern about traffic congestion and requested a traffic impact study.
• Town Clerk William J. McDonough reminded residents of the October 7 deadline for voter registration ahead of the November election.

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🏛️ Norwood Town Meeting Decisions

• Town Meeting approved $8,500 for roof repairs at the Norwood Civic Center.
• A resolution passed to fund new fencing around the Norwood High School athletic field.
• The Finance Committee deferred a vote on sewer expansion pending engineering review.

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🚧 Norwood Department of Public Works News

• The DPW completed resurfacing of Cottage Street and began sidewalk installation on Nichols Street.
• Superintendent Edward F. McDonough announced leaf collection would begin October 16, with zone maps available at Town Hall.
• The Water Department issued a 48-hour boil advisory following valve replacements on Dean and Railroad Avenue.

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🚓 Norwood Police Department News

• Officer Paul J. Murphy was promoted to Sergeant after 13 years of service.
• Police responded to a break-in at a Washington Street hardware store; investigation ongoing.
• Chief William E. Rhoads announced a Halloween safety campaign in collaboration with Norwood schools.

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🔥 Norwood Fire Department News

• The department responded to a basement fire on Prospect Street; damage was limited to storage areas.
• Fire Chief William H. Smith reported the arrival of two new Scott Air Packs funded through civil defense grants.

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🏫 Norwood School News

• Norwood High School enrollment reached 1,020 students, with 260 freshmen entering the Class of 1965.
• The School Committee approved a pilot program introducing language labs at the high school.
• Superintendent William J. Coakley reported that the junior high cafeteria renovation was completed over the summer.
• The lunch menu for the week included shepherd’s pie, macaroni and cheese, and apple crisp.
• School hours were listed as 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; buses depart at 2:40 p.m.
• Miss Mary E. Sullivan was appointed head of the English Department at Norwood High.
• A minor fire in the chemistry lab was extinguished quickly; no injuries reported.

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🏥 Norwood Hospital & Public Health News

• Norwood Hospital welcomed Dr. Robert L. Mahoney to its pediatric staff.
• The Board of Health launched a polio booster campaign for children under 12, with clinics scheduled at the Civic Center.
• Birth announcements included a daughter born to Mr. and Mrs. James F. O’Donnell of Nichols Street.

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📚 Norwood Public Library News

• The library hosted a lecture on “Massachusetts Town Histories” by Dr. Helen M. O’Connell of Boston College.
• Librarian Miss Mabel C. Guild curated a fall reading list featuring biographies and regional history.
• The Library Board approved funding for new shelving in the children’s section.

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🎓 Norwood High Alumni Notes

• Miss Nancy Sullivan, Class of ’56, announced her engagement to Lt. Thomas J. Reilly, USAF.
• Mr. Edward F. Mahoney, Class of ’47, was appointed assistant principal at Dedham High School.
• Alumni from the Class of ’41 gathered for a 20-year reunion at the Norwood Elks Hall.

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🏈 Norwood High School Sports News

• Norwood High’s football team defeated Walpole 13–7 in the season opener; standout performances by captain Jack O’Donnell and halfback Steve Mahoney.
• Coach William “Billy” Morse praised the team’s defensive line in post-game remarks.
• The cheerleading squad, led by senior Mary Ellen Reilly, organized a pep rally for the upcoming Dedham game.

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🕍 Faith & Religious Community News

• St. Catherine’s Church held a parish picnic at Ellis Pond, drawing over 300 attendees.
• Rev. Charles W. Holden of the Congregational Church began a sermon series on “Faith in Civic Life.”
• Temple Beth David announced the start of Hebrew school classes for the fall term.

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🎭 Arts & Entertainment

• Norwood High’s drama club began rehearsals for “Our Town,” directed by Miss Langdon.
• The Norwood Community Band performed at the Town Common on Saturday evening.

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🧒 Youth & Scouting News

• Troop 1 Boy Scouts held a merit badge workshop at the Civic Center.
• Girl Scout Troop 112 planned a fall hike at Blue Hills Reservation.

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🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News

• The Norwood Senior Club hosted a luncheon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, featuring guest speaker Dr. Helen M. O’Connell.
• Mrs. Abigail Morse celebrated her 89th birthday with a family gathering on Nichols Street.

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🧭 Norwood History & Heritage Highlights

• The Norwood Historical Society announced a new exhibit on the town’s industrial past, featuring artifacts from Winslow Brothers & Smith.
• A commemorative plaque was installed at the site of the original South Dedham Meeting House.

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🧮 Business & Employment News

• Norwood Coal Co. expanded its delivery fleet with two new trucks.
• Hyde Park Renovating & Cleansing Co. partnered with L.W. Bigelow’s Sons for upholstery cleaning services in Norwood.
• Job openings posted at Town Hall included clerical positions in the Assessors’ Office and DPW.

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🧑‍⚖️ Court & Legal News

• Probate notices were published for the estates of Mrs. Mary Guild and Mr. Thomas O’Malley.
• Judge Edward J. Mahoney presided over civil cases involving property disputes on Winter Street.

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🏡 Norwood Real Estate Transfers

• Mr. and Mrs. John Mahoney purchased a home on Nichols Street from the estate of Thomas O’Malley.
• A new subdivision was approved off Prospect Street, with six residential lots planned.

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💌 Norwood Social Notes

• Mr. and Mrs. George H. Bateman hosted a dinner for Republican delegates at their Washington Street home.
• Miss Clara Guild visited from Boston to assist with library programming.
• Mr. and Mrs. John Mahoney returned from a trip to Vermont to visit their daughter, Class of ’57.

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🕯️ Norwood Obituaries & Announcements

• Mrs. Mary Guild, age 77, passed away on September 20. She was a lifelong resident and member of the Congregational Church.
• Funeral services were held at her Nichols Street home, with burial at Highland Cemetery.

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Source: Norfolk County Free Press, September 28, 1961
Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1961), TIOT Yearbooks

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