Stratham's Oldest Known Resident Honored

On Sunday, Nov. 15, 2015, an overflow crowd crammed into the Wiggin Memorial Library Meeting Room to see Dorothy “Dottie” Clemons, 96 years young, receive the Boston Post Cane from Selectmen Dave Canada and Tim Copeland, according to a press release.

The famed Boston Post Cane is presented to the town’s oldest known resident. The Boston Post first issued the gold-tipped and engraved ebony cane to oldest man in each city and town within its readership area with a population of at least 500 in 1909. In 1923, The Boston Post stepped up and awarded the first woman, and thereafter recognized the oldest citizen.

Stratham Historical Society President Pat Sapienza introduced Dottie to those gathered. Dottie not only impressed the enthusiastic audience with her age, but with her wit and her ability to deliver numerous stories about her life in Stratham and the friends she has amassed over her many years in town. She and her late husband moved to River Road in 1957. In addition to family members, Dottie was surrounded by friends and neighbors who shared their memorable experiences with Dottie, and by co-workers from the Clothes Attic where she generously gave back to the community for years. Dottie noted that she began volunteering at the Clothes Attic “back when it was really an attic”.

Pat Sapienza and a team of Stratham Historical Society members along with Rebecca Mitchell of the Stratham Heritage Commission supplied freshly baked cookies and cakes and beverages. Following the formal presentation of the cane, most of the attendees were happy to share refreshments, but were even happier to continue to share stories and photos with Dottie over a lengthy period of time. It was a great celebration of history, heritage and most of all Dottie Clemons’ 96 years.

Caption: Dorothy “Dottie” Clemons, Stratham’s oldest known resident, was honored with The Boston Post Cane. She is pictured here with Selectman Dave Canada, left, her son Bruce, and Selectman Tim Copeland.