Westhampton’s oldest resident honored with historic golden cane

WESTHAMPTON — Surrounded by approximately 90 friends, family and residents at the Westhampton Public Library, 98-year-old Jessie Krug was recently honored as the oldest resident in town. As part of the celebration, Krug was presented with the town’s Boston Post Cane.

“All of these people that have always done things for each other and all the neighboring hill towns, and places from far away as well, that have helped make this town and make the people that are in it so wonderful. I just love it and I’m so happy to be here,” Krug said at the ceremony on Saturday, Jan. 10.

The Boston Post Cane is a symbol of community history and it is a tradition in many communities across New England, each having its own cane, to be presented to the oldest resident in each community. According to the Boston Post Cane website, Sally Muther, who died in October last year, was the last Westhampton recipient of the cane and was honored in May of 2023.

As of 2016, the website notes that 517 towns in four New England states — Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and New Hampshire — have reported still having canes.

Westhampton Council on Aging Coordinator Christine Blakesley said Krug has lived through World War II, has been married for longer than many have been alive and has raised four children.

Blakesley also shared a word of advice from Krug: “Everything does not have to be perfect. Compromise, help each other out, smile and enjoy life.”

Krug’s name was formally added to the town’s Golden Cane plaque, and she also received a certificate from the commonwealth, presented by state Rep. Lindsay Sabadosa, D-Northampton.

“All of the Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to Jessie S. Krug in recognition of receiving the Town of Westhampton’s Boston Post Cane for her many years as a respected and prominent member of this community,” Sabadosa said at the ceremony.

According to Westhampton’s town website, in 1909, the publisher of the Boston Post newspaper, Edwin Grozier, issued a special cane to the Board of Selectmen of more than 700 New England towns. The canes were all made by J. F. Fradley and Co., a New York manufacturer, crafted from ebony shipped from Africa which was cut, seasoned for six months, turned on lathes to the right thickness, coated and polished. The canes had a 14-carat gold head and a ferruled tip.

The Westhampton Boston Post Cane was entrusted to the Select Board, formerly known as the Board of Selectmen at the time they were presented. The town’s oldest resident possesses the cane and upon their passing, the cane would be returned to the town to start the cycle again.

However, as is the case with many of the original canes, Westhampton previously lost theirs. The cane given to Krug was a replacement and has been passed on to the town’s oldest residents since 1978.

“Stories from Jessie’s life were shared by friends and loved ones that brought both laughter and tears to the room,” states a release from the Westhampton Council on Aging, about the ceremony. “The reflections painted a picture of a life well lived and deeply connected to family, friends and community. The afternoon was a touching reminder of the importance of honoring our elders and preserving the traditions that connect generations. The town of Westhampton was proud to celebrate Jessie Krug and her remarkable 98 years (and counting).”

Material from the Town of Westhampton’s Website and a Council of Aging release was used in this article.

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