Talk of the Town-April 27, 1961

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Norwood moves through late April 1961 with its usual blend of civic pride, community bustle, and mid‑century optimism. From Eagle Scout honors and Chamber of Commerce events to bowling triumphs and local business promotions, the town’s institutions show their steady hand as spring settles in.

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Front Page & Civic Life

Eagle Scout Honor for Norwood Youth

A proud moment for Norwood Scouting came on Friday, April 14, when David Hardy, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Lawrence Hardy, 349 Winter Street, received the Eagle Badge at a Court of Honor held in the parish hall of the First Baptist Church. Hardy, an honor student in the Norwood schools and a member of the accelerated class, has distinguished himself in academics, church leadership, and athletics.

Committee Chairman Guilford M. Langhill, Jr. presented the badge, with Eagle Scout Steve Talander offering remarks on the meaning of Scouting. Scoutmaster Merrill Berry outlined plans for a two‑week summer camp in July, and home films of recent troop outings were shown.

Norwood Chamber of Commerce Prepares for Education Night

The Norwood Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Ladies’ and Educational Night on Monday, May 2, at the Cleveland School. A roast beef dinner at 6:30 p.m. will precede student essay readings, National Merit recognition, and musical selections from the senior operetta. Superintendent Dr. Philip O. Coakley will offer remarks.
Secretary Arthur V. Wilson requests reservation cards by April 28.

Norwood Mothers’ Club Plans Annual Banquet

The Norwood Mothers’ Club will gather at Motel 128 on Tuesday, May 2 at 7 p.m. for its annual banquet. The menu includes roast stuffed chicken or top sirloin with mushroom sauce. President Mrs. Frederick R. Valentine will preside over the business meeting and election of officers.

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Police, Fire & Public Safety

Attempted Break at Route 1 Gas Station

At 2:37 a.m. Tuesday, Sergeant Valentine Balutis discovered an attempted break‑in at the Bay State Gasoline Station on Route 1 near the Nahatan Street overpass. A side window was broken and the front door showed jimmy marks. The owner reported nothing missing, suggesting the intruders were frightened off.

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Community & Social Life

Ponkapoag Grange Auxiliary Plans Outing

Members of the Ponkapoag Grange Auxiliary met at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Aylward, Farm Street, Canton, with several Norwood‑area members present. The group scheduled its annual outing to Blinstrub’s in South Boston for May 24, with a 5:45 p.m. departure from the Grange Hall.

Friends of the Library Host Africa Program

The Friends of the Morrill Memorial Library welcomed author and lecturer Dr. Charles R. Joy, who presented a slide program on Africa, including Lake Victoria, Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the work of Dr. Albert Schweitzer.
The Women’s Community Committee donated a movie projector to the library, and the Norwood Lions Club contributed Wagner opera recordings.

Cancer Crusade Reports Strong Response

Mrs. Richard Boch, Norwood’s 1961 Cancer Crusade chairman, praised the “most gratifying response” to the house‑to‑house canvass, despite rain. District captains across Norwood are collecting returns, with a follow‑up “flying squad” scheduled for Saturday.

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Religious Services & Church News

St. Catherine’s Confirmation and First Communion

St. Catherine’s Church will confer Confirmation on nearly 300 children on Sunday, April 30, at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.
First Holy Communion will be held Saturday, May 13, at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., with more than 400 children participating.

Evangelical Baptist Church Hosts Sacred Pops Concert

The Women’s Missionary Society of the Evangelical Baptist Church will present a Sacred Pops Concert on Friday, April 28 at 8 p.m., featuring choral groups, instrumentalists, and a program on the stories behind gospel hymns.

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Sports

Norwood Varsity Baseball Edges Needham, 6–5

In a tight contest, Norwood defeated Needham 6–5, with Hebner delivering a home run and Pruell earning the win. Norwood collected six runs on five hits, while Needham tallied five runs on seven hits.

Norwood JV Wins 4–3

The Junior Varsity squad secured a 4–3 victory behind pitcher Skip Loper, who struck out six. Rick Falcone homered, and Walt McDonough collected two hits.

Norwood Bowlers Shine in State K. of C. Tournament

The Norwood Sport Center hosted the statewide Knights of Columbus Candlepin Tournament, with Norwood teams placing second and third.
Local standouts included:

• Charlie Parker — high three‑string (378)
• Joe Foti — high single (147)
• Tony Stanovich — 369 three‑string

Awards will be presented May 7 at the Norwood K of C Hall.

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Business & Commerce

Local Promotions & Advertisements

Norwood’s business community remains lively, with promotions across town:

• Andy’s Jewelers, 10 Guild Street, advertises sterling silver by Gorham, Reed & Barton, Lunt, and others.
• Bernard’s Village Inn, 726 Washington Street, features nightly organ music in the Cypress Lounge.
• Conny Murphy’s Broadway Package Store, 60 Broadway, lists Seagram’s 7 and Barton’s Reserve at competitive prices.
• Family Appliance Center, 1024 Washington Street, offers reconditioned Maytag washers, Norge refrigerators, and Admiral TV‑radio‑phono combinations.

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Transportation

Marine Helicopter Pilot Completes Training

Major Conrad K. Grandchamp, USMCR, of 20 Brown Street, Walpole, completed five days of active duty training at the U.S. Naval Air Station, South Weymouth. A World War II fighter pilot, he now flies HSS‑1 helicopters with Marine Helicopter Transport Squadron 771.

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Schools & Education

National Honor Society Inducts Nine Norwood Students

Norwood Senior High School welcomed nine new members into the National Honor Society, including:

• David Kelley
• Maureen Crook
• Janet Rosata
• Susan Carolan
• John D’Espinosa
• Algis Makaitis
• Sandra Nordstrom
• Beverley Rodgers
• Roger Wallace

Principal Charles A. Hayden presided over the ceremony.

St. Catherine’s Students Win Art Awards

Three St. Catherine’s School pupils received Fra Angelico Awards in the Archdiocesan Art Fair:

• Anne Naughton, Grade 8
• Helena Thomas, Grade 6
• Roy Lydon, Grade 4

Their work will be exhibited at Boston College.

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Weather

No formal weather report appeared in the pages, though several stories reference rain affecting community events, including the Cancer Crusade canvass.

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Obituaries

Warren Wheelock Coleman

Of 83 Washington Street, Norwood, age 75, died April 21 at Norwood Hospital. A longtime carpenter with Milton Howard, Gordon Earle, and Willard Coleman, he was a member of Tiot Lodge No. 50 since 1933.
Survived by his wife Marion A. (Waite) and son Walter of Wrentham.
Burial at Oakland Cemetery, Medway.

Thomas R. Driscoll

Of 115 Roosevelt Avenue, Norwood, age 67, died Wednesday at Norwood Hospital.
Survived by his wife Margaret (Flaherty), daughters Mrs. William Kelly, Mrs. Raymond Conton, Georgianna Sweeney, and son Thomas of Dover, N.H.
Funeral from Gillooly Funeral Home, April 29.

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Norwood Heritage Notes

• Norwood Lions Club celebrated its 20th anniversary, presenting gifts to Norwood Hospital, Morrill Memorial Library, and Norwood High School.
• Norwood Arena appears in multiple advertisements, reflecting its role as a Route 1 landmark.
• Polaroid cameras are heavily promoted in local shops, marking the rise of instant photography in Norwood households.

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Voices of the Week

“The response has been most gratifying.” — Mrs. Richard Boch, Cancer Crusade Chair
“Dave has shown leadership capabilities characteristic of an Eagle Scout.” — Troop 105 Committee

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Prices & Paychecks (1961 Snapshot)

• Seagram’s 7 (quart): $4.00
• Barton’s Reserve (quart): $4.99
• Polaroid camera outfit: $43.30
• Maytag washer (reconditioned): $14.95
• Chicken dinner at Mothers’ Club banquet: included in ticket price
• Gasoline: advertised at local stations (prices not listed)

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Around Town

• Norwood Girl Scouts prepare for Round‑Up Day at Camp Mary Baker.
• Norwood’s bowling leagues continue strong spring competition.
• Local businesses promote spring cleaning, lawn care, and appliance sales.

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Seen & Heard

• New 50‑star flags now fly along Washington Street on holidays, thanks to local veterans’ groups.
• The Norwood Junior Chamber of Commerce prepares for a May 13 auction.

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Then & Now

The 1961 emphasis on civic clubs, church life, and Route 1 commerce echoes Norwood’s long tradition of community‑driven growth — a continuity still visible in today’s town rhythms.

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Community Temperature

Late April brings a sense of renewal: students honored, Scouts advancing, civic groups planning spring events, and businesses bustling with seasonal promotions. Norwood in 1961 feels confident, organized, and unmistakably community‑minded.

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