Senior Center honors Norfolk's oldest resident, Bucky, with town cane

At a ceremony at the Norfolk Senior Center, Karen, the center's director, presented “Bucky” with the Norfolk Town Cane as the town’s oldest resident, drawing applause and brief remarks from longtime friends and veterans.

The cane is a local replica of the Boston Post Cane tradition. Karen read a history of the Boston Post initiative: in 1909 The Boston Post distributed gold-headed ebony canes to New England towns to be presented to each town’s oldest citizen; eligibility was later extended to women in 1930. Karen said the paper folded in 1957 but the tradition has continued in many communities.

“I'm Karen, the director here at the Senior Center… I feel very honored… to be able to present Bucky with the Norfolk Town Cane today as our oldest resident,” Karen said during the presentation. She told attendees that Norma Shruin researched the town’s history, had a replica cane made and restarted the local tradition; the first local recipient was Helen Rokicki, age 100, in 2014. Karen said the cane itself is kept on display at the Senior Center and recipients receive a lapel pin to take home.

Bill Crane spoke after Karen, joking with the honoree and the audience. “I have a motorcycle for you,” Crane said, adding that a riding-school slot accompanies the gift, which drew laughter.

Frank Zolli, speaking for area veterans and the American Legion Post 335, praised Bucky’s long service to the post. “Because of Bucky and his 76 years as a member of the Post 335, we still exist,” Zolli said, calling Bucky an example for the community.

Karen announced that a plaque bearing Bucky’s name has been completed and will be displayed near the Senior Center’s main-floor elevator. She closed the presentation by inviting attendees to stay for lunch. The cane remains on display at the Senior Center, and recipients continue to be given the lapel pin and recorded on the plaque.