Norwood Seeks Volunteers To Help Plan Town's Birthday Events

NORWOOD, MA — The Norwood 150 Committee is gearing up for a year-long series of events to celebrate the town's 150th birthday.

Right now, the needed ingredient is volunteers to help with everything from art exhibits to cultural events to sponsorship. The committee is encouraging residents to join the planning process.

Nearly 50 people attended an event earlier this week hosted by the committee to discuss what major events are in the works and how people contribute to the celebration's success. It attracted several familiar faces as well as those wanting to lend their talents.

Diversity is one area the group would like to encourage in all aspects of the planning. Members envisioned celebrations with ethnic food and dancing celebrating the many cultures that comprise the fabric of Norwood.

Board of Selectmen Chairman Thomas Maloney, who ran the event, said the 16-member steering committee has been meeting for a year to put together the framework of major events to highlight the Town’s history and civic pride.

“We want to let people know what we’ve done for the past year, some of the big events we’re planning, and get some of your ideas perhaps for other things,” he said.

Anne Marie Haley, chair of the town's Finance Commission, described First Night on December 31. It will be based on Boston's New Year's Eve festivities. Local churches, the library, the Norwood Civic Center and the Norwood Space Center will hold events for children and teens, including games, dancing and music. The day will start with a road race in Norwood Center at 3 p.m. and feature activities throughout town.

“I will be asking in the next week or so for people who are talented who are willing to come and entertain the folks of Norwood,” Haley said. “I would love to be able to say that most of our entertainers have come from directly from the town.”

Also in the works is a tribute to Norwood’s veterans. One idea Haley suggested was having students write letters to soldiers in different wars, relating their perspectives on what the soldiers had experienced in those conflicts.

John Hall of the Community Preservation Committee offered to contribute nine parody songs he wrote that describe various facets of Norwood's history.

“I thought, ‘Why not go over the top?’” he said.

Edward S. Kniolek Jr., a local historian and curator of the Morse House, offered to provide his research. He currently is working on two books about Norwood.

Another major event will be the formal town gala - the town's official birthday bash - at the Four Points by Sheraton at Norwood hotel on February 23. This committee is co-chaired by Selectwoman Helen Abdallah Donahue and Tim McDonough, who both organized the banquet for the 125th anniversary event.

“The way that I look at this 150th anniversary, this should be one gigantic, big happiness,” she said. “Formality is nice. But we’re here for a celebration.”

She added that this is the perfect time to shake off the the angst caused by the pandemic and create ways to come together.

The Skating Club of Norwood will host a skating fundraising exhibition three days later, with potential and possibly current Olympians, said Jerry Miller. He noted this facility is only one of three in the country where these professional athletes train.

Katie Neal-Rizzo, the Norwood 150 publicity co-chair, said that updated dates and events will be posted on the event’s website, www.norwood150.gov. If people want to propose an event, they can add their suggestions there.

“Our job is to help facilitate what you want to do,” added Norwood 150 sports and education subcommittee chair Michael Thornton.

Another highlight will be a production in August of the Thornton Wilder classic “Our Town” – with adaptations to include Norwood themes. It will take place at Old Parish Cemetery, located at 480 Washington St. The Old Parish Preservation Volunteers is sponsoring the play, which will be held in the cemetery. It is presented by arrangement with the Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel L. French, Inc. Auditions will be held on April 6 at the high school.

A tribute to the high school’s 1972 undefeated hockey team is another goal, as well as several sports-themed events. Picnics, historical tours, trail walks and shopping and dining events are in the planning stages.

“There are 20 events scheduled so far and 365 days in a year, so let’s get busy,” said Debbie Holmwood of the Planning Board.

If anyone would like to volunteer or sponsor an event, visit www.norwoodma150.gov or call Norwood Town Hall at 781-762-1240. The committee also will have a table at the upcoming Norwood Day festivities on Saturday, September 18. Members can match people to the appropriate subcommittees for their interests.

The latest calendar updates can be viewed at www.norwoodma150.gov/event-calendar.