Golden Cane Committee

The Boston Post "Golden Cane" Tradition Begins

In 1909 the Publisher of the Boston Post newspaper,  Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, sent the Board of Selectmen in 700 towns in New England a cane with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest male citizen of the town, to be used by him as long as he lives (or moves from the town), and at his death handed down to the next oldest citizen of the town.  The cane would belong to the Town and not the man who received it.

The canes were all made by J.F. Fradley and Co., a New York manufacturer, from ebony from the Congo in Africa, with a 14-carat gold head that was decorated by hand. The head was engraved with the inscription: "Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of Erving, Mass.  — To Be Transmitted”. The Board of Selectmen were to be the trustees of the cane and keep it always in the the hands of the oldest citizen.  

In 1930 eligibility for the cane was opened to women as well.

The Committee

The Select Board appoints a three (3) member Committee to identify the oldest resident in Erving and coordinate the presentation of the Golden Cane.

Current Recipient

The 2023 Golden Cane recipient is expected to be announced in November 2023!

Past Recipients

• Alice P. Wojtkowski, recognized September 2015.
• Arlene H. Clark, recognized May 2012.