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LEEDS — More than three dozen people gathered at the Leeds Community Church recently as Rose Ames was presented with the Boston Post Cane, which goes to a town’s oldest resident.
Selectman Dwight Buckley presented the cane to Ames, 99 at the time of the ceremony, who attended the gathering with her son, Brian Bagley.
The gathering, which also served as a celebration of Ames’ 100th birthday on July 7, was organized by the Leeds Volunteer Fire Department, of which Bagley is a long-time member, and the Leeds Historical Society.
In addition to members of these groups, there were representatives from the town government and many friends and neighbors who have know Ames since she and Bagley moved to Leeds in 1983 to operate the store at Curtis Corner. The store is now closed, but Ames and Bagley remain in Leeds.
Upon receipt of the cane, Ames noted she might not need the cane to walk, but the big knob on the end would come in handy to keep people in line, to which Bagley laughed nervously.
The Boston Post Canes date back to 1909, when they were sent to 700 New England towns by the Boston Post newspaper, to be presented to the town’s oldest resident. When the cane-holder died, it went to the next oldest resident. Women weren’t eligible until 1930.
The gathering also served as an early birthday party for Ames, who turned 100 on July 7. Donna and Bill Holt created a cake for the occasion.
“No one knows what Rose wished for when she enthusiastically blew out the candles, but the all those assembled wished for her continued good health for years to come,” said a report from the event.
