'It's an honor to be nominated': Historical society searching for next recipient of Laconia Centennial Cane

LACONIA — You don’t have to be a centenarian to have the city's Centennial Cane bestowed upon you, but it wouldn’t hurt your chances.

Pam Clark, treasurer of the Laconia Historical & Museum Society, says she and her peers are searching for the next recipient of the cane, and expect potential honorees will likely be in their 90s or 100s.

Candidates must be born and raised in Laconia, but could have lived elsewhere for a time before returning home. They must be able to prove Laconia is their city of birth.

John Gauthier was the last recipient of the cane, holding the honor for five years before he died last year at age 103.

Clark, who has been involved with the historical society for over 30 years in roles from secretary to president, has witnessed the handing over of the cane to at least four of the five recipients.

She says the chosen candidate will be the guest of honor at a gala, during which the cane will be presented — but the cane will actually be kept on display in a case at City Hall.

Gauthier’s presentation was at St. Francis Rehabilitation and Nursing Center, and Clark said he gave a moving address. “It was quite the celebration,” Clark said.

If you or someone you know is beyond an octogenarian, nominate them to receive the cane before Sunday, Nov. 30, by calling 603-527-1278 or emailing lhmslpl@metrocast.net.

Many cities celebrate their oldest residents with the honor of a cane, and in each community, it bears a different name.

Distribution of what’s known as the Boston Post cane began in 1909, for instance, when Boston Post Publisher Edwin A. Grozier sent a gold-topped ebony cane to the leaders of 700 New England towns to grant to their elders.

In Laconia, the Centennial Cane tradition was introduced in 1993, by Clark’s aunt, Ann Dearborn Kaligian, and her husband Robert, as part of the Centennial Celebration, which Robert headed up.

The first recipient was Madeline Whelan, then the eldest person in the city. Other cane holders were Doris Barnes, 2012; Rachel Gilbert, 2014; Antonio Maheux, 2017; and Gauthier, 2018.

“I’m carrying on the tradition of my aunt and uncle, a historical tradition in the city,” Clark said. “It’s an honor to be nominated.”