Norwood School Clerk Wins National Redbook Beauty Ideas Contest-This Day In Norwood History-July 23, 1975

Gwynne Jamieson, serving as secretary to the Norwood School Committee and school clerk, achieved national recognition by winning Redbook magazine’s competitive “Great Beauty Ideas” contest.

Outshining roughly 30,000 entries submitted from across the country, her innovative submission earned her a $1,000 cash prize and an exclusive, all-expenses-paid weekend trip to New York City. The August issue of Redbook showcased her victory with a dedicated feature spread, highlighting professional before-and-after photographs following a styling and makeup session with the magazine’s expert beauty editors and hairstylists.

Gwynne Jamieson’s winning concept stemmed from her passion for travel. She designed a portable, lightweight personal care kit dubbed “shake-up make-up,” featuring essential travel toiletries—such as shampoo, makeup, hand lotion, and deodorant—packaged in freeze-dried form to eliminate the risk of spills and reduce luggage weight. Originally hailing from Sudbury in northern Ontario, Gwynne Jamieson spent two years teaching school in Australia before relocating to the United States six years prior. A striking blonde and a divorced mother of two young children, John, six, and Eve, four, she shared that she was eagerly anticipating another major milestone: officially taking her oath to become a United States citizen on the upcoming Monday.

Her recent achievements extended far beyond the pages of national magazines. In June, she graduated with honors from Curry College in Milton, balancing her rigorous coursework with her demanding administrative duties as clerk for the school board. Looking toward the future, Gwynne Jamieson planned to spend the summer offering private tutoring while actively seeking a full-time teaching position for the fall semester. Demonstrating her characteristic ambition, she had also secured a scholarship from the Simmons College School of Library Science to begin graduate studies in September should her classroom teaching pursuits take time to materialize.

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

Man Refurbishes 1956 Fire Pumper-July 13, 1978

Norwood resident Rick Spicer turned heads on Neponset Street and Cherrywood Drive in July 1978 with a unique vehicle parked in his driveway: a refurbished 1956 Peter Pirsche Pumper. The fire truck, which had been retired by the Dedham Fire Department four years prior, had been sold to a local wrecking service before Spicer acquired…
Skaters Break Guinness World Record in Norwood-July 14, 1977

On July 13–14, 1977, two long‑distance roller skaters — Sylvia Haffke and John LeClaire – completed one of the most remarkable athletic feats ever connected to Norwood. What began as a casual bet over a couple of beers turned into a grueling, record‑breaking charity challenge that pushed both skaters to their physical limits. Haffke and…
Norwood Beautification Committee Launches Property Contest-July 11, 1977

Beautification Contest Announced ⠀ On July 11, 1977, the Beautification Committee of Norwood officially announced the commencement of a town-wide contest dedicated to recognizing the most attractive and well-maintained residential and industrial properties in town. The committee is inviting all citizens to participate by submitting nominations for homes or businesses that demonstrate consistent upkeep or…
Norwood Beekeeper Howard C. Ayer Shares Two Decades of Expertise-August 13, 1976

Reflecting on 20 years of beekeeping at his Winslow Avenue home, Harvard electronics specialist Howard C. Ayer discussed the rewards of apiculture, honey production, and pollination alongside his wife Helen.
Norwood Explorer Posts Experience Remarkable Growth to Eight Active Chapters-October 22, 1975

Driven by coed participation, hands-on career programs, and strong community support, Norwood’s Explorer scouting program expanded from two to eight active posts in a single year.
Toying With Balloons No Big Puff To Him-September 17, 1974

Norwood resident Thomas J. Danaher directs Air Force scientific balloon operations at Hanscom Field, advancing stratospheric research and ozone pollution monitoring.
Norwood Housewife Mary Lou Healy Wins Trip to Hawaii in Second Annual Pineapple Cooking Contest-August 8, 1973

Norwood resident Mary Lou Healy won a trip to Hawaii as a national finalist in the Second Annual Pineapple Cooking Contest with her award-winning “White Cloud Gingerbread” recipe.
Norwood Man Wanders “Dreams-Come-True” Circuit-September 14, 1972

Norwood native Ken Samone reflects on life as an independent New England carnival concessionaire, navigating economic ups and downs on the 1972 fair circuit.
Busy Norwood Teenager Balances Pageants, Volunteer Work, and Personal Goals-August 26, 1972

Fifteen-year-old Linda Diane Firth of Buckingham Road reflects on her titles as Miss Norwood and first runner-up in the Miss Massachusetts Teenager Pageant while managing a busy schedule of hospital volunteering and civic activities.
Norwood 747 Club Members Bring Hang Gliding and Air Surfing to Town-August 9, 1972

Members of Norwood’s 747 Club brought hang gliding to the East Coast by constructing their own bamboo butterfly glider and testing it at Norwood Airport.