Norwood Elks Wins National Award for Americanism-August 17, 1982

The Norwood Lodge of Elks earned second place nationally and first place in Massachusetts for having one of the country’s top Americanism programs among lodges with 1,000 or more members.

The prestigious honor was presented in July at the Elks national convention in Chicago, marking the first time the 1,500-member Norwood lodge received a national award.

The winning Americanism program featured a series of civic and patriotic initiatives throughout 1981 and 1982, including:

Flag Day Ceremonies: Hosting a major event in June 1981 that brought together eight neighboring Elk lodges.
Patriotic Billboard: Displaying a prominent billboard featuring the American flag at the intersection of Lenox Street and Washington Street in South Norwood.
National Patriotism Week: Successfully petitioning selectmen to officially declare a designated week in February as National Patriotism Week.
Student Art Initiative: Inviting public school children to create paintings expressing what America, freedom, and liberty meant to them, followed by the lodge donating textbooks to the public school art departments in appreciation of the outstanding entries.

Lodge leadership singled out immediate past exalted ruler William C. Phipps and committee Chairman Frank Owens for organizing the winning program. At the preceding state convention in Chicopee, the Norwood Elks also captured first place statewide in the Americanism contest, first place for per capita contributions to the Elks National Foundation (for lodges with over 1,200 members), first place in the east central district for veterans’ work, and third place statewide for youth activities. Exalted Ruler Joseph Shone accepted the trophies on behalf of the membership, praising the dedicated committee chairmen and members for their exceptional efforts.

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

Norwood Centenarian Mary Ferioli Celebrates 100th Birthday at The Ellis Nursing Center-October 8, 1982

Mary Ferioli celebrates her 100th birthday surrounded by family at The Ellis Nursing Center, reflecting on a century marked by immigration, hard work at Norwood Hospital, and deep community ties.
Twice Postponed: Couple Exchanges Wedding Vows in Unusual Norwood Hospital Setting-September 28, 1981

After the groom is hospitalized with a bleeding ulcer, Wayne Gauthier and Marie Lumnah tie the knot in an unusual ceremony inside Norwood Hospital’s Plimpton Hall.
Italian University Students Lucia Rovigo and Marcello Mascellaro Bring Touch of Home to Norwood Host Families-August 10, 1981

Italian university students Lucia Rovigo and Marcello Mascellaro are spending a month in Norwood as guests of local families through the Interstudy program.
Norwood Resident Finds Warm Bed After Months of Searching-August 5, 1981

Following months of hardship after his rooming house closed, 58-year-old Norwood resident James Poles found a warm bed thanks to longtime friend Elliott Webber, who welcomed him to his Rockhill Street home.
Norwood Greenhouse Resident to Relocate to Quincy-July 02, 1981

In the summer of 1981, a Norwood veteran struggling with housing instability turned a local greenhouse into a makeshift home before the community rallied to find him a more dignified living situation.
Project Hire on Davis Avenue Offers Comprehensive Diagnostic Vocational Evaluation-October 22, 1980

Supervised by director Edward L. Pflueger, Norwood’s Project Hire diagnostic center has expanded rapidly, helping hundreds of individuals and students find the right career paths through comprehensive vocational evaluations.
The Master Navigator of Local Commerce-This Day in Norwood History-June 28, 1980

An 80-year-old former union pioneer and Edison engineer commands the Norwood Chamber, working a grueling 40-hour week.
Norwood Marathon Partners and Local Runners Tackle the New York Marathon-October 23, 1979

Norwood residents Richard A. Wine and Dr. Stephen P. Pannes finished the New York Marathon together, highlighting teamwork, the city’s incredible crowd support, and local runner Leo E. Immonen’s strong performance.
Gertrude’s Pastry Shop Owner Bernie Osborne Wins State Award for Maine Maple Pastry and Cherishes Small-Town Family Business-August 19, 1979

Bernie Osborne, owner of Gertrude’s Pastry Shop in Norwood Center, won top honors at the Massachusetts Retail Bakers Association contest with his signature Maine Maple pastry judged by Julia Child.
Harold “Skip” Rideout Expands Marine Construction Business in Southport, Maine-August 13, 1979

Norwood High graduate Harold “Skip” Rideout expanded his marine construction business in Southport, Maine, by purchasing a 42-foot towboat and a 60-foot barge.