Fourth of July Concert and Airport Incident-July 4, 1974

The day’s events included a well-attended musical performance for the town’s youth, which was marred by a brief disturbance, and a startling aviation accident at the Norwood Airport involving a local family.

The “Musical Concert for Young People,” held on the evening of July 4, took place at the parking lot situated at the intersection of Nahatan Street and Broadway. Sponsored by the Recreation Department and the Veterans Council Fourth of July Committee, the three-hour concert drew an estimated 500 young people, the majority of whom were Norwood residents. According to Police Chief James E. Curran, the event went very well overall, with several youths even staying behind after the performance to assist in clearing cans and debris from the parking lot. Chief Curran specifically credited Gerald Miller, program director of the recreation department, and the Norwood Auxiliary Police for their effective work in conducting the event.

However, the concert was interrupted shortly before 11 p.m. when police responded to reports of a fight breaking out behind the Norwood Cinema. The disturbance resulted in the arrest of two Norwood youths, who were charged with disorderly conduct and assault and battery on a police officer. Both were transported to Norwood Hospital for treatment of injuries before being processed at the police station and released on bail early the following morning. During the altercation, Patrolmen Edward E. Traverse, David Smith, and Christopher Collins sustained minor injuries.

Earlier that same day, a dramatic incident occurred at the Norwood Airport. A Walpole family—Mr. and Mrs. George Bevilacqua and their four children, residing at 40 Irving Drive—were involved in a plane crash shortly after takeoff at approximately 11:45 a.m. The aircraft, a single-engine SeaBee amphibian, reportedly lost power after taking off from the runway and struck trees. The plane eventually came to rest in a muddy area about 300 yards from the end of another runway. Norwood Airport Manager Arnold Stymest noted that the crash may have been caused by a problem with a broken fuel line. Remarkably, the family escaped with only cuts and bruises. Following medical treatment at Norwood Hospital, where Mrs. Arlene Bevilacqua was treated for an injured right shoulder and Mr. Bevilacqua for an abrasion on his arm, the family displayed remarkable resolve: they boarded a second plane and continued their planned journey to Martha’s Vineyard.

In other civic developments, the town saw the conclusion of a lengthy administrative process regarding the Broadway Package Store. The state Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission (ABCC) approved the transfer of the store’s liquor license, ending a delay that had persisted since the Board of Selectmen originally voted in favor of the transfer in February. The approval allowed William F. Egan, a local school committeeman, and Robert White, a liquor merchant from Boston, to finalize the purchase of the establishment at 60 Broadway from the longtime owner. Mr. Egan expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that he and Mr. White planned to operate the business as a discount store.

Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger