Launch New Raft At Willett Pond-This Day In Norwood History-July 27, 1945

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A new diving raft at Willett Pond was officially launched at ceremonies Saturday afternoon in the presence of a distinguished group of community leaders. The raft, made possible through the cooperative efforts of the Women’s Community Committee and the Norwood Lions Club, fills a long-felt want at the pond, and it is warmly hoped by the proud sponsors that local bathers will receive much enjoyment and recreation from it for years to come. Local craftsman Mike Costello performed the actual construction work required to build the sturdy floating platform.

Among those present at the official Saturday afternoon launching were Superintendent of Schools Lincoln D. Lynch; Mrs. John Rizzo, chairman of the Women’s Community Committee; Mrs. Lucille W. Riemer, member of the Playground Advisory Committee; Mrs. Josephine Chandler, chairman of the Playground Advisory Committee; and Mrs. Mary Cullinane, Norwood Playground Supervisor. Also in attendance representing community service organizations were Donald J. MacDonald, president of the Norwood Lions Club, along with Festus J. McDonough and John McDonough, members of the Lions Club Beach Committee. Dedicated beach lifeguards Arthur Slaney, Barbara Woodberry, Frances McCall, and Verna Carpenter rounded out the official assembly.

Although Saturday marked the official ceremonial launching, local records revealed that it was not actually the first time that the heavy raft had seen water. Enterprising night swimmers at the beach had previously conducted unofficial launchings of their own on several occasions, though each time the heavy structure was promptly hauled back out of the water so that finishing work could be fully completed by the builders.

Adding an unexpected touch of drama to the afternoon’s festivities, an unscheduled part of the ceremonies involved a prompt rescue performed by Lifeguard Arthur Slaney. A young swimmer, caught up in the excitement of the gathering, ventured out over his head and swallowed a quantity of water. The over-enthusiastic bather was quickly revived after being placed safely in the soothing shade of the lifeguard tower, where he promised faithfully not to swim out over his head again.

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