In 1909, the Boston Post newspaper, which closed in 1956, created the tradition of the Boston Post Cane. The paper as a promotional event, distributed 700 gold-tipped canes to New England towns, which would be awarded to each town’s oldest resident. Originally, the Boston Post Cane was to be awarded to the oldest male resident of a town. In 1930, that expanded when the cane was awarded to the first oldest female resident of a town. Although there were over 700 canes originally distributed, over the years many have become lost and misplaced. Currently, there are 435 of those canes known to be in existence, according to Brian Tanguay, president and curator of the Narragansett Historical Society. The cane is made out of ebony wood from Africa and has a solid gold tip.
The Templeton Boston Post cane was awarded July 20 to 100-year-old resident, Mrs. Rita Tkoczyk, by Brian Tanguay at the Templeton Senior Center. Although the original cane made an appearance at the event, the recipient of the cane instead is gifted a replica wooden cane. The original Boston Post cane is returned to the Narragansett Historical Society, where it can be viewed by visitors to the museum.
Along with the replica cane, Tkoczyk also received a lapel pin created by Tanguay, a jeweler and engraver, which replicates the word engraved on the top of the Boston Post Cane. The top of the cane is inscribed with the words Boston Post Cane, Oldest Citizen of Templeton, Mass. Tkoczyk, along with being the oldest resident in town, is also the only centenarian in town.
Tkoczyk was born on May 28, 1921 in Havre Boucher, Cape Jack, Nova Scotia, Canada. Eventually, she moved to Ontario, Canada and worked at the Dares Cookie Co. before moving to the United States, first living in Gardner and then moving to Templeton. Tkoczyk said these days she enjoys visiting with friends and eating chocolate. The previous Templeton resident awarded the cane was Josephine Ruckey, who was awarded the cane at 100 years old and passed away at 105 years old. There are no records of the past recipients prior to 2002.
Selectmen officially adopted a Boston Post cane Award policy, according to town administrator Adam LaMontagne, formalizing the awarding of the cane and making it an official town event to be held in conjunction with the Narragansett Historical Society. Prior to that, the cane was awarded in an informal ceremony but the event was not recognized officially by the town.
LaMontagne said the event was a nice way to recognize Tkoczyk and bring the town together. Others at the event along with LaMontagne and Tanguay included Jackie Prime, Director of the Senior Center, Selectmen Michael Currie, Jeffrey Bennett, Timothy Toth and Terry Griffis, as well as State Sen. Anne Gobi and State Rep. Susannah Whipps.
Templeton is not the only area town with Boston Post Canes. Among other area towns who have canes, according to Boston Post Cane Information Center at bostonpostcane.org include Athol, Orange, Petersham, Phillipston, Warwick, Wendell and Winchendon. Phillipston also has a Boston Post cane.