Surrounded by mud wrestling, cookouts, and a fire department foam bath, about 70 campers from the Father Mac’s and South camps gathered on the grass of Father Mac’s Field on Friday morning to test out a unique challenge: a practice run for the longest human conveyor belt passing a surfboard without using arms or legs. Recreation Superintendent Jerry Miller explained that the rehearsal served as preparation for a grand official attempt scheduled for Norwood Day on September 17.
To shatter the existing Guinness World Record—set on September 7, 1998, by 1,000 students from the University of Guelph in Ontario—Norwood must successfully pass a full-sized surfboard down a human chain of at least 1,001 people. “I think we’ve got our work cut out for us, but if we get the right people involved… we might be able to make a go at it,” said Recreation Department Program Director Michael Cawley. “Some people might think it’s a silly thing to attempt, but it shows the town’s camaraderie. It’s good for the community.”
During the practice session, youngsters struggled to pass the heavy board down the line as Miller barked instructions and encouragement through a megaphone. “It was kind of heavy and hard to pass. Everybody was squishing into me,” remarked Jen Dowling, 9, an upcoming fourth grader at Oldham Elementary School. Other campers expressed excitement at the prospect of etching their names into history. “To think that I’m going to be in the record books is, like, wow,” said Alex Higgins, 10.
The field day marked the festive culmination of the recreation department’s summer programming. Alongside the world record practice, traditional camp favorites returned, including free swim, a cookout, sibling mud-wrestling matches in the park’s pit—featuring participants like Kenny Stevens, 11, and his sister Krissy, 8—and a massive foam spray courtesy of the Norwood Fire Department. “This is a regular rite of passage. It’s very much a part of summer in Norwood,” spectator Gerri Slater observed. For alumnus Kelly Grenham, who attended the park as both a camper and counselor, experiencing the tradition with her own young children made it all the more special: “It’s awesome, now as a parent, being able to take my kids down here… It’s just another thing that makes us proud to be from Norwood.” (Reporting by Stephanie Peters, The Patriot Ledger).
Archival Note: This article has been dynamically reconstructed from the original public record print archives of the Patriot Ledger
More…
-
Foam Day at Father Mac’s Camp Brings Joy to Norwood Youth-July 19, 2013
Over 300 campers participated in the annual Foam Day at Father Mac’s Camp in Norwood, featuring massive piles of foam and firefighter support.
-
Norwood Lions Club Playground Fund Nears $20,000 Goal Following $5,000 Bank of Boston Donation-August 7, 1989
Boosted by a $5,000 donation from the Bank of Boston, the Norwood Lions Club’s fundraising campaign for a new Bond Street toddler playground reached within $55 of its $20,000 goal.
-
Mosquitoes Taking a Bite Out of Summer Fun-August 2, 1986
A heavy surge of rain-hatched mosquitoes flooded Norwood, Dedham, and Needham, sparking over 100 complaints per day to the Norfolk County Mosquito Control Project.
-
Thousands Turn Out for Summerfest “Italian Night” on the Common-August 15, 1985
Drawing the largest crowd of the summer, Norwood’s Summerfest Italian Night brought thousand of residents to the town common for food, music, and dancing.
-
Norwood Selectmen to Reconsider Recreation Fees for New Civic Center-July 16, 1984
After implementing daily charges for gym access, the board faced intense backlash and scheduled a review for their July 24 meeting.
-
Recreation Department-July 23, 1981
The town’s Summerfest concert series, sponsored by the Norwood Arts Council, continues to draw large crowds. On July 22, an estimated 2,500 people attended a concert featuring traditional and “pub-style” Irish music on the town hall lawn. Summerfest committeeman Jerry Miller attributed the growing attendance to the event’s ability to showcase local talent and provide…
-
Norwood Teens Compete in Seventh Annual Tiot Relay Race-July 13, 1981
Local organizers Dorothy Pember and her committee successfully raised funds for the Civic Center while fostering friendly competition among area residents.
-
Norwood Recreation Department Announces Fourth Session Class Rosters for Summer Programs-July 31, 1980
The Norwood Recreation Department published complete enrollment lists for swimming and tennis classes across municipal pools and school courts for the fourth session running through August 15, 1980
-
Armory Still Eyed for Municipal Use-July 9, 1980
Discover the 1980 efforts by town leadership to acquire the Norwood Armory from the state, following legislative changes and the recent Civic Center location shift.
-
Guild School Picked for Civic Center-July 8, 1980
Discover the 1980 decision that transformed the Aaron Guild School into a multi-purpose recreation hub, replacing the former Civic Center sold to Norwood Hospital.
Discover more from Norwood Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.