Local community life picked up briskly following the summer recess, highlighted by the upcoming opening of a new dance studio, educational workshop announcements, corporate gatherings, and municipal labor union meetings across Norwood and surrounding Norfolk County.
Miss Dougherty’s Dance Studio and Local Instructional Offerings
Local children and parents are preparing for the opening of Miss Dougherty’s dance studio, located at 60 Day Street in Norwood, which officially opens its doors on Monday, September 19. Miss Dougherty spent the summer studying an up-to-date curriculum at the NADAA Conservatoire in Boston, training under renowned specialists including Charles Grass, Louis Crescenta, Melvin Kaiser, and Buster Cooper (tap); Evelyn LoMonc, Beatrice Bene, and Claire Foster (ballet); Agnes Ward and Dorothy Swanson (baby rhymes and dances); and Russell Millette (acrobatics). The studio will offer beginner, intermediate, and advanced classes spanning multiple genres. Registrations are being taken via NO 7-0299-M.
Additionally, music instructor Miss Guglielmina Fiorentino announced the September 19 opening of her fall private piano instruction season. An honor graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music operating out of studios at 115 Perkins Street in Jamaica Plain (Jamaica 2-2592), Miss Fiorentino offers the unique option of in-home instruction.
Norfolk County Agricultural School Fall Evening Workshops
The Norfolk County Extension Service finalized its schedule for free six-week evening workshops beginning Tuesday, September 27, at the Norfolk County Agricultural School on Route 1A in Walpole. Open to adult residents of Norfolk County with registration closing September 23 through the extension office (Walpole 268), the courses span several practical arts:
- Horticultural Series: Covering flower arrangements, house plants, dish gardens, plant propagation, Christmas greens, and perennials, taught by Mr. Ralph Kennison, Mr. Patrick Santin, and Mr. George Yetman.
- Food Series: Weekly demonstrations featuring meat cutting by Mr. Nick Franco (Universal Beef Co.), smart hostess planning by Mrs. Santina Curran, yeast breads by Miss May E. Foley, and cake decorating.
- Craft Classes: Chair caning taught by Miss Catherine Cook, and silk-screening and block printing instructed by Mrs. Jean Woodward.
Brooks Agencies Annual Meeting and Civic Updates
A. Clinton Brooks & Co., Inc. held its annual dinner meeting on Thursday evening, September 8, at the Abner Wheeler House. President A. Clinton Brooks and Vice President John C. Brooks addressed real estate trends and company history before an assembled staff of 22 employees, followed by entertainment from magician Elwin Shaw.
Meanwhile, the Norwood Town Employees Union, Local No. 362 convened its first post-summer monthly meeting tonight at 8:00 p.m. in the Social Hall of the Civic Building. Executive board members met prior to outline pressing matters, including overtime pay agreement enforcement, a town-wide TB chest X-ray initiative for municipal employees, paid holidays, the reopening of the Kates Case, and a sick and relief fund report.
In financial news, the Board of Directors of Norfolk County Trust Company voted to call a special stockholder meeting on October 17 to consider authorizing a 44,000-share increase in capital stock to be distributed as a one-for-four stock dividend. Concurrently, Federal Reserve Bank figures reported by Massachusetts Savings Bonds Division Chairman Henry J. Nichols showed strong statewide demand for Series H Savings Bonds, with combined Series E and H sales reaching $78,024,075 over the first eight months of the year—highlighted by a 102 percent surge in H-bond purchases.
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Norwood Messenger
More Norwood Business History
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Norwood Entrepreneur Quontay Turner-January 30, 2026
Quontay Turner, owner of The Emerald City Plant Shop on Washington Street, for her business success and community leadership.
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Winsmith Mill Transformed into Eclectic Shopping Center and Creative Hub (CBS-4)-September 22, 2022
The historic 200-year-old Winsmith Mill in Norwood is successfully transformed into a bustling shopping marketplace, artist lofts, and music venue.
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A Black-Owned Plant Shop Blooms In The Pandemic’s Wake-June 9, 2021
Quontay Turner opened Emerald City Plant Shop in Norwood, becoming New England’s first Black woman-owned plant store, turning a pandemic leap into a thriving botanical oasis and community space.
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Hurley’s Beer & Wine Relocates to Vanderbilt Avenue-July 17, 2015
After 16 years in South Norwood, Hurley is navigating increased competition by emphasizing community involvement and quality customer service.
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Savers Thrift Store Grand Opening In Norwood-July 30, 2013
On July 30, 2013, Savers Thrift Store opened at 560 Boston Providence Highway in Norwood, providing affordable goods, jobs, and charitable support.
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Boston’s Baddest Burger-August 10, 2012
Kevin Tortorella’s “Boston’s Baddest Burger” is now serving fresh, locally sourced breakfast and lunch options in Norwood and Boston, marking the town’s first fully licensed food truck.
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Ruma’s Fruit & Gift Basket World Wins Businesswoman of the Year-July 10, 2010
Tracing its roots back to 1900 on the cobblestones of Haymarket Square, the Ruma family of Norwood built a century-old produce and gift basket enterprise that earned Businesswoman of the Year honors in 2010.
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Revitalizing Norwood Center: A Town’s Rebirth-July 2, 2005
Discover how Norwood has been working to transform its central business district into a vibrant shopping and dining destination.
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Slump in Chip Industry Hits Norwood Maker-This Day In Norwood History – July 21, 1998
Analog Devices Inc. struggled with falling revenues in 1998 as global demand for semiconductors and testing equipment plummeted. Despite the fiscal pressure, the Norwood company avoided layoffs, maintaining its workforce through the market downturn.
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Ice-Cream Vendor Disputes Fees Demanded by Norwood Arts Council-July 18, 1991
The dispute involved allegations of intimidation, Open Meeting Law concerns, and tensions over who is permitted to sell goods on the Norwood Common.
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