Norwood on Sept 28, 1945: vets honored, clubs revived, school kids active, new shops opened, and civic life thrived postwar.
📰 Norwood News of the Day (September 28, 1945)
🗳️ Norwood Political News
- The Norwood Board of Selectmen voted to request $729 from the Finance Commission to construct a bituminous sidewalk on Dean Street. The total project cost is estimated at $2,217.
- The Board also approved a sidewalk project on Lenox Street, budgeted at $1,488.
- General Manager Francis W. Smith reported several applications from Norwood servicemen for the position of Superintendent of Recreation. The Board agreed to delay the appointment to allow consideration of returning veterans.
- The Norwood Women’s Republican Club postponed its September meeting to October 29.
🏛️ Norwood Town Meeting Decisions
- At a recent special town meeting, voters authorized the sale of surplus Civilian Defense equipment. Departments will be given first choice before public sale.
- The Salvage Committee, chaired by Charles F. Holman, announced the end of the tin collection program. One final paper drive is scheduled for October 15–17, with collections divided by neighborhood.
🚧 Norwood Department of Public Works News
- No new streets were added or major infrastructure changes reported in this issue.
- The sidewalk projects on Dean Street and Lenox Street were the primary DPW-related appropriations discussed.
🚓 Norwood Police Department News
- Officer Charles “Nubby” Donnell assisted with the Winslow-West Garden Show auction.
- Sgt. Thomas Lydon responded to a fatal car crash in Walpole involving Norwood residents Abraham and Celia Lechter.
- Norwood police also assisted in recovering a stolen safe from Brighton, found abandoned in the woods near the Neponset River.
🔥 Norwood Fire Department News
- No new promotions or equipment updates were reported.
- Firefighters responded to a seven-hour blaze at the old ice house at Ellis Pond. Cause undetermined.
🏫 Norwood School News
- The First Congregational Church School announced its fall opening under Miss Muriel P. Carlson, a Boston University graduate with a master’s in Religious Education.
- The Winslow School hosted a successful Garden Show and auction, with vegetables, flowers, and baked goods judged and sold.
- Colburn School students participated in Victory Stamp purchases, Red Feather Campaign letters, and science club activities.
- The Norwood High School lunch menu and bus schedule were not published in this issue.
🤝 Norwood Civic Group & Club News
- The Norwood Lions Club named committee appointments and announced its annual Barn Dance for November 2.
- The Norwood Garden Club planned its annual meeting for October 18, with a flower and produce auction led by Roy Smith of the Norwood Theatre.
- The Girl Scout Council of Westwood-Islington met to elect officers and plan fall programming. Mrs. Robert Garner was elected Commissioner.
🛡️ Fraternal Organizations
- The Norwood Knights of Columbus installed new officers, including Albert F. Connolly as Grand Knight.
- The Westwood Square and Compass Club opened its season with a dinner and wildlife lecture by Orin D. Steele of the U.S. Game Management Department.
🇺🇸 Norwood Veterans & Military Service News
🪖 Wartime Service
- Sgt. William Thomas returned from Germany with five battle stars and the Bronze Star.
- Sgt. Merrill of Florence Avenue was discharged after 18 months overseas with the 367th Fighter Group.
- Cpl. Richard H. Nelson of Sycamore Street was discharged after serving with the 508th Paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division.
- Pvt. Daglan Hogan was discharged after serving in Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Germany with the 401st Field Artillery.
- Pfc. Uuno Sandell returned from Italy with the 88th Infantry Division, holding the Purple Heart and Presidential Citation.
- Lt. Robert T. Bodge, age 19, was promoted to First Lieutenant while stationed in Regensburg, Germany.
🕊️ Peacetime Contributions
- Veterans were honored at local weddings and civic events.
- Deputy Fire Chief Charles L. Boyden of Westwood retired after 20 years of service.
🏛️ Organizational News
- The VFW Auxiliary thanked Norwood merchants for donations to its hospital fund penny sale.
- The American Legion Post planned its officer installation for September 29, with Selectmen and county officials attending.
🎖️ Veterans & Military Organizations
- The Norwood American Legion Post elected Joseph Nuttall as Commander.
- The Westwood Fund campaign for the Greater Boston War Fund reached 101.6% enrollment of workers.
Absolutely, George. Based on the September 28, 1945 issue of the Norwood Free Press, here’s Part 2 of your modular civic archive entry:
📰 Norwood News of the Day (September 28, 1945)
🕍 Faith & Religious Community News
- The First Congregational Church School announced its fall opening for September 30, led by Miss Muriel P. Carlson, a Boston University graduate with a master’s in Religious Education.
- Rev. Edmund R. Strait of Wellesley Hills Congregational Church was scheduled to speak on Church School objectives.
- St. Margaret Mary’s Church planned Religious Education Sunday for September 30 and World-wide Communion Sunday for October 7.
- The Catholic Woman’s Club of Walpole planned a Fur Fashion Show for October 1 at Blackburn Memorial Building.
- Dr. Marinus James of Norwood was scheduled to speak at the First Parish Church of Westwood on September 30.
- Rev. John Johannaber, former director of religious education at the United Church, visited Norwood before beginning a new pastorate in Nebraska.
🎭 Arts & Entertainment
- The Southern Theatre featured “Back to Bataan” starring John Wayne and “Bride by Mistake” with Laraine Day and Alan Marshal.
- The Guild Theatre screened “Strange Illusion” and “Mexicali Rose.”
- The Norwood Theatre presented “Along Came Jones” with Gary Cooper and “Bedside Manner.”
- The Winslow-West Garden Show included a children’s baking contest, flower arrangements, and a spirited auction led by Officer Charles “Nubby” Donnell.
🧒 Youth & Scouting News
- The Westwood-Islington Girl Scout Council met to elect officers and plan fall programming. Mrs. Robert Garner was elected Commissioner.
- Troop meetings were scheduled across Westwood and Islington, with leaders and assistants named for each age group.
- The Colburn School reported Victory Stamp purchases, Red Feather Campaign letters, and science club activities.
- The “Busy Bees Science Club” elected officers and planned bi-monthly meetings.
🧓 Senior & Retirement Community News
- Mrs. Ella Robinson, widow of George W. Robinson, passed away at the Pond Home in Wrentham. Funeral services were held at May’s Funeral Home with burial in Highland Cemetery.
- Deputy Fire Chief Charles L. Boyden of Westwood retired after 20 years of service and was honored with a farewell party and gold badge.
🧭 Norwood History & Heritage Highlights
- The Norwood Garden Club resumed activities after wartime suspension, planning its annual meeting and auction for October 18.
- The Westwood Square and Compass Club opened its season with a wildlife lecture by Orin D. Steele of the U.S. Game Management Department.
🧮 Business & Employment News
- Burr’s Market opened at 501 Washington Street, offering groceries, meats, fish, and fresh vegetables.
- The Norwood Men’s Shop welcomed William Drummey back after illness.
- Sears advertised winterwear, radios, and household tools.
- Kendall Mills and Bird & Son posted job openings for veterans and civilians.
- The Luzon floating shipyard was profiled for its role in Pacific naval operations.
🧑⚖️ Court & Legal News
- The Walpole Board of Selectmen scheduled a hearing for October 11 on Sargent’s Cafe’s liquor license upgrade.
- A garage permit hearing for Saverio Auciello of Norwood was continued to October 4 due to zoning concerns.
- Probate notices and funeral arrangements were published for Mrs. Okonavitch and Mrs. Robinson.
💌 Norwood Social Notes
- Mr. and Mrs. Freeman Winslow of New York visited Elisha Winslow on Florence Avenue.
- Mr. Frank Carcheda of Dean Street visited friends in Claremont, NH.
- Miss Margaret Lyons of Railroad Avenue spent the weekend in Springfield.
- Henry Kenneth Taylor, U.S. Navy, was honored with a farewell party in Walpole before enlistment.
- Michael J. Clancy, Jr. was honored with a bachelor dinner at the Elks Club before his wedding to Marion Hawkins of East Walpole.
🕯️ Norwood Obituaries & Announcements
- Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lechter of Press Avenue died in a car crash in Walpole. Funeral services were held at Stanetsky Funeral Chapel.
- John J. Coakley of Clark Street passed away; services were held at Gillooly Funeral Home with burial at Highland Cemetery.
- Mrs. Okonavitch of Sturtevant Avenue and Mrs. Ella Robinson of the Pond Home were also memorialized.
- Engagements announced included Miss Marjorie Dill to Everett Pyne of Norwood, and Miss Eleanor Tichyno to Lt. Thomas Doran.
- Weddings included Miss Priscilla Klinzman to Richard Keenan, Miss Margaret Collins to George Stevenson, Miss Virginia Whittier to Edwin DeVold, and Miss Elizabeth Hitchins to Gerald Sprout.
Source: Norwood Free Press, September 28, 1945.
Additional references: Norwood Town Report (1945), TIOT Yearbooks via archive.org.
Compiled by the Norwood Historical Society, with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot and Google Gemini.