On Wednesday afternoon, Jenny Greenwood, who turns 96 in July, received Mason’s Boston Post Cane, awarded to the oldest citizen in town, in a revival of the tradition.

In a surprise ceremony attended by her two children, the members of the Mason Historical Society presented Greenwood with the cane and a certificate, as well as a plaque to add to a wall in the Mann House displaying previous recipients of the honor.

The Boston Post Cane is a tradition that started in 1909, when the Boston Post sent 700 ebony canes, topped with a gold cap, to New England towns to present to the oldest man in town. It has since expanded to include women in the tradition.

Katie Pugliese, the secretary of the Mason Historical Society, which presented the Boston Post Cane to Greenwood, said there was a period where the society was defunct, but it has recently been revived. Now that the society is back up and running, it decided to revive the cane tradition.

Greenwood took a winding path to end up in her house in Mason. She originally grew up on the German border, in Denmark, and lived and traveled around Europe. She also lived in China, Hong Kong, and Scotland, and then went back to Denmark for a time.

“I was 21 when I came to the U.S., and I never left,” Greenwood said – although she has also lived and traveled widely across the United States with her husband Al.

Her career lent itself to her love of seeing new places. She was stewardess for American Overseas, which would eventually become Pan American. There, she met her husband, who was a pilot. The couple had two children, Suzanne and Bob, who were in attendance for Greenwood’s ceremony on Wednesday. She now has two grandchildren and a great-grandchild.

The Greenwoods lived in various places across the United States. They originally settled in Queens, N.Y., and lived on Long Island and in California, Hawaii and Massachusetts. Jenny and Al also traveled cross-country on a motorcycle and pulling a small trailer.

“I’ve moved around a lot, but I’m glad I settled here, in my house on the hilltop,” said Greenwood. “There’s nothing quite like New England.”

While in Mason, Greenwood has been involved in civic life, including the Mason Garden Club, volunteering at the Mason Public Library and serving as a longtime volunteer with Mason’s community supper.

“I’ve had a good, wonderful life, with many experiences,” Greenwood said. “I’ve had a busy life.”

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.