Chessa awarded Milo’s Boston Post Cane
MILO — On Aug. 2, 1909, Mr. Edwin A. Grozier, publisher of the Boston Post, forwarded to the select boards in 700 towns in New England a gold-headed ebony cane with the request that it be presented with the compliments of the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of the town, to be used by him as long as he or she lives.
The canes were all made by J. F. Fradley and Co., a New York manufacturer, from the ebony shipped in seven-foot lengths from the Congo in Africa. They were cut to can lengths, seasoned for six months, turned on lathes to the right thickness, coated and polished. They had a 14-carat gold head two inches long, decorated by hand and a ferruled tip. The head was engraved with the inscription, Presented by the Boston Post to the oldest citizen of Milo, to be transmitted. The select board was to be the trustees of the cane and keep it always in the hands of the oldest citizen. In 1930, after considerable controversy, eligibility for the can was opened to women as well.
MOST SENIOR CITIZEN — Thelma Chessa was recently presented with Milo’s Boston Post Cane to recognize her as the eldest citizen of the community. She will be 99 in December. From left, Town Manager Robert Canney, Chessa’s daughter-in-law and son Susan and Richard Chessa, Chessa, granddaughter Courtney Chessa and Selectperson Shannon Lord.
It is with great pleasure and pride that the Town of Milo has awarded Thelma Chessa the Boston Post Cane as the eldest citizen in our community. Chessa will be 99 this Dec. 3 and the town is proud to wish her a happy birthday and present her with the Boston Post Cane.
Chessa was joined at the town office by Town Manager Robert Canney, daughter-in-law Susan Chessa, son Richard Chessa, granddaughter Courtney Chessa and Selectperson Shannon Lord.