Castine’s Doris Russell, 99, receives Boston Post Cane

The tradition honors the town’s oldest resident

Doris Russell holds the Boston Cane. Photo courtesy of Heather Brennan.

April 8, 2026

By Emily Baer

CASTINE — During its meeting on April 6, the Castine selectboard presented Doris Russell, who was born in September 1926 and is the town’s oldest resident, with the Boston Post Cane.

The Boston Post Cane is a century-old New England tradition that traces its roots back to 1909, when the Boston Post newspaper sent out 700 gold-topped ebony walking sticks to towns across the region. The idea was simple but meaningful: honor each community’s oldest resident—man or woman—as a symbol of town history and community respect.

“It is our great honor and pleasure to give this cane to you,” said chair Dan Leader. “May you use it with good health.”