Athens resident presented with Boston Post Cane

The Boston Post Cane was recently presented to Albert “Sonny” Martin, 94, by selectmen Mark Munn, Charles Rotundi and Guy Anton. The cane is traditionally given to a town’s oldest resident. The tradition began in 1909, when the Boston Post distributed 431 of the canes to towns throughout New England with instructions that each should be presented to the oldest resident of the town. The cane is made from Gabon ebony and its head is finished with a 14-carat gold top and is elaborately sculpted. Many towns, including Athens, still honor the tradition more than 100 years later. (Submitted photos)