Talk of the Town-November 3, 1955

Norwood entered November with school activities, holiday planning, church fairs, civic organizations, and community clubs all crowding the town calendar. From student government elections at Norwood High School to preparations for Christmas decorations downtown, the week reflected a community busy with education, volunteerism, public service, and social life.

Front Page & Civic Life

Planning for Norwood’s Christmas season officially began as the Selectmen’s Committee for Christmas Decorations met at the Municipal Building to review plans for the 1955 municipal decorating program.

The committee included Rev. Edmund A. Miller, John W. Regan, Maurice S. Baker, George T. Mahoney, chairman, Patrick Long, and William Kates. Chairman Mahoney reviewed the appropriation provided by the town and relayed recommendations from the Board of Selectmen regarding the extent of the decorating effort.

Preliminary schedules were established, with the first week of December designated as the period for installation. Residents with suggestions were encouraged to contact the committee through the Municipal Building before decoration work began.

Norwood also received recognition beyond town boundaries. James Drummey of the Norwood Industrial Development Committee was invited to address the annual conference of the Massachusetts Federation of Planning Boards at Salem’s Hawthorne Inn on November 4 and 5. His topic would be the Neponset River Planning District, an issue of growing regional significance.

Schools & Education

Student life at Norwood High School was exceptionally active during the fall term.

The annual election of homeroom representatives resulted in the formation of a new Student Council, which quickly began addressing student activities and school affairs. The council’s first regular meeting was conducted by Senior Class President Timothy Lynch, with representatives from each class participating.

One of the council’s earliest actions was a vote to contribute $50 to the Assembly Fund administered by the Assembly Committee under the direction of Mr. Martin M. O’Donnell.

Students were also looking ahead to the Senior Class production of “Father Knows Best,” scheduled for December 9 in the school auditorium. Tryouts were conducted during the preceding week and generated considerable interest among aspiring performers.

Meanwhile, the school’s Driver Training Program continued to attract students under the supervision of Mr. Stanley C. Fisher. Equipped with a new Plymouth automobile, the popular program offered practical instruction in safe driving at a time when automobile ownership continued to expand throughout suburban communities.

Parents and teachers gathered on October 25 for the annual Parent-Teachers Meeting. Parents followed their children’s schedules and had opportunities to meet instructors and become better acquainted with school programs.

Students assisting Miss Ryan during the evening included Dorcas Boardman, Mirja Wahe, Arlene Bloom, Alice Charron, Loretta Del Signore, Patricia Devine, Sally Calvin, and Ann Sheehan.

Community & Social Life

The Sophomore Class celebrated Halloween with a party held October 27 in the Norwood High School gymnasium.

Decorated in traditional black and orange colors, the event adopted the theme “Moments to Remember.” Music was provided by George Farnham’s Orchestra, while entertainment featured an impressive lineup of student performers.

Mark Barrett played piano, Joseph Tessicini performed on drums, and Michael Thornton entertained on accordion. Their selections included Moments to Remember and Elmer’s Tune.

A male quartet composed of Paul Connelly, John Griffin, James Gordon, and Brian Drummey sang the popular favorites Yellow Rose of Texas and Harvest Moon.

Additional performances included a tap dance by Nancy Newman and Rebecca Pelletier, vocal selections by William Balfour, a dance pantomime by Elaine Chamberlain and Maureen Keller, songs by Mary Ellen Welch, and a monologue by Mary Lou Curren.

Refreshments of doughnuts and Coca-Cola followed before dancing resumed.

Elsewhere in the community, the Norwood Young Republican Club held a Halloween dance in the barn of Mr. and Mrs. David Bacon at 435 High Street in Walpole. More than fifty young people attended and enjoyed dancing, apple bobbing, and traditional holiday games.

The Covi Club opened its fall season on October 20 at the Windsor Road home of President Mrs. Earl Harmon. Members gathered for the organization’s first meeting of the season and reviewed plans for future programs.

The Norwood Camp Fire Leaders Association sponsored a “get-acquainted” coffee hour at the home of Mrs. John Rizzo on Neponset Street. New volunteers met with experienced leaders and learned more about Camp Fire activities.

Parents and supporters of St. Catherine’s Girl Scouts Troop 28 celebrated the troop’s annual banquet at the Toll House in Whitman. Accompanying the girls were leaders Mrs. Thomas Brannelly and Mr. John Folan, along with parents and guests.

Religious Services & Church News

Churches throughout the area remained busy with fairs, lectures, charitable projects, and special programs.

The Norwood Congregational Village Fair opened at the church under the general chairmanship of Mrs. Aldred C. Anderson of Walpole Street. A dozen specialty booths had been arranged, including the prominently featured “Kitch-In-Vue Candy Shoppe.”

The public was invited to attend the Harvest Festival at the Balch School, where parents, teachers, and students joined forces to offer home-cooked foods, plants, dried arrangements, and handcrafted items.

At the Norwood Church of the Nazarene, missionary Mrs. David Hynd, recently returned from South Africa, was scheduled to address the congregation on Friday evening.

In neighboring Walpole, the Ladies Sodality of Blessed Sacrament Church announced a corporate Communion for members attending the 7 a.m. Mass on November 6.

The Catholic Woman’s Club of Walpole announced a lecture by Mrs. Joseph Kennedy entitled “An Ambassador’s Wife at the Court of St. James.” The presentation would feature films and slides depicting life among England’s royal circles.

Business & Commerce

New automobile models were drawing considerable public attention as local dealers unveiled the 1956 Chevrolet line.

The updated models featured three series, two new four-door hardtops, and six station wagons, including two nine-passenger versions. Advertising described the new Chevrolet as a substantial advancement over previous designs.

Throughout the pages of the newspaper, local merchants promoted everything from self-storing storm windows and beauty treatments to flowers, building materials, clothing, loans, and nursery stock. Such advertisements reflected the prosperous consumer economy of the mid-1950s as families increasingly invested in homes, automobiles, and modern conveniences.

Community Organizations

The Tiot Lodge No. 50, I.O.O.F. held its annual installation of officers on October 26.

District Deputy Grand Master Lawton P. Pierce of Roslindale conducted the ceremonies, installing:

• Wilfred Raymond, Noble Grand
• George Gotham, Vice Grand
• Leon M. Randall, Recording Secretary
• Edmund Johnson, Financial Secretary
• Chester Parsons, Treasurer
• Percy Russell, Warden
• Warren Milliken, Conductor
• James Ritcey, Chaplain

Additional officers and supporters were similarly installed during the evening.

A supper prepared by Holman Caterers was served at 6:30 p.m. to members, families, and guests before the ceremonies commenced.

The Norwood Aerie of the Fraternal Order of Eagles announced a Chicken Barbecue for November 6 at the organization’s hall on the corner of Walpole and Chapel Streets. Proceeds would benefit activities of the State Emblem Club Banquet Committee.

Norwood Heritage Notes

The Norwood Historical Society welcomed members and guests to the F. Holland Day House during its October meeting.

New members were elected, including Mrs. Florence H. Pepin, Rev. and Mrs. Allen Keedy, Rev. and Mrs. Edwin W. Grilley Jr., and Robert H. Cook.

The evening’s featured speaker was Rev. Lawrence T. Barber, president of the Arlington Historical Society, who shared observations and photographs from his travels through Quebec, the Gaspe Peninsula, Tadoussac, and the St. Lawrence region.

Using his own color slides and motion pictures, Rev. Barber described Quebec’s historic walls, Montmorency Falls, agricultural districts along the St. Lawrence, and several notable religious and historical landmarks. His presentation was warmly received by the society’s membership and guests.

Weddings & Engagements

Several local weddings and engagements appeared in society news.

Eileen K. Foley and Jaspar Pazniokas were married October 15 at St. Catherine’s Church. Following a reception at Eagles Hall, they departed on a wedding trip to New York and Canada and planned to reside on Mountain Avenue in Norwood.

Barbara Louise Johnson and Robert Eugene Pellowe exchanged vows October 22 at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. Following a reception in the church vestry, the couple departed on a motor tour through the Mohawk Trail, upper New York State, and Canada.

Before an altar adorned with white chrysanthemums, Mary T. Flaherty became the bride of Jack S. Takesian during a 3:00 p.m. nuptial ceremony on Sunday, October 30, at St. Catherine’s Church. The Reverend Joseph E. MacDonald officiated the double-ring ceremony uniting the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Flaherty of 47 Mountain Avenue, Norwood, and the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Takesian of 26 Campbell Street, Methuen.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a traditional gown featuring a lace bodice with an illusion neckline, a tulle skirt accented with lace panels, and a fingertip veil secured by a beaded satin coronet headpiece. She carried a cascading bouquet of white chrysanthemums and stephanotis.

An engagement was also announced between Dolores LaRocca, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis A. LaRocca, and John A. Joslin, son of Mrs. Mary Joslin of 93 Cross Street, Norwood. No wedding date had been announced.

Community Temperature

As November 1955 began, Norwood displayed the hallmarks of a thriving suburban community. Students rehearsed plays and elected representatives, churches prepared fairs and festivals, civic groups planned holiday decorations, and historical societies gathered to preserve local and regional heritage. Whether attending a school dance, volunteering with youth organizations, or preparing Main Street for Christmas, residents remained deeply engaged in the life of their town.

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