GOOD DEEDS: Why We Give

By William P. O’Donnell, Norfolk County Register of Deeds

As we prepare our holiday gatherings and frantically search for the perfect gift or dish to serve, we are faced with endless choices. Will it be turkey or ham?  Mashed or sweet potatoes? Should I get someone a bike or a video game? The options are endless. It can be a tough choice, but what if that choice was between feeding your family or keeping your home, giving presents or staying warm?

For some people their options are much more sobering ones, as the oncoming holidays bring on stress and anxiety. Fuel bills, unexpected medical expenses and higher food and housing costs lead to such thoughts as, “How do I keep a roof over my family’s head and still put food on the table?” For these families, the holiday season takes on a whole different meaning.

GOOD DEEDS: Why We Give

The issue of hunger in Massachusetts is literally a call to action. The latest information available from Project Bread indicates that more than 22,400 people contacted Project Bread for food assistance last year. The statistics driving these calls are truly daunting. 37% of households in Massachusetts are considered food insecure. Furthermore, 43% of children in the state are also considered food insecure. The increasing cost of housing and food are likely factors that contribute to the rising rates of food insecurity. 

Let us be mindful during this holiday season that while Norfolk County may be a destination place to live and work there are people who reside here that need our help. The Norfolk County Registry of Deeds Annual Holiday Food Drive is underway, ending December 18th, and our 18th Annual Toys for Tots Drive runs now until December 9th.

Donations of nonperishable food or unwrapped toys can be brought directly to the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building located at 649 High Street in Dedham and placed in the respective bins in the main lobby. Suggested donations for food include canned goods, breakfast cereals, pasta, spaghetti sauce, toiletries, and paper products.

If you can't get to the Registry of Deeds building to drop off food, you can check the Registry website at https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/norfolk-county-food-pantry-locations for a pantry location in your community. For a list of Toys for Tots drop-off locations, visit the Marine Corps Reserve website here: https://www.toysfortots.org/find-your-local-chapter

Working together, we can truly make a huge difference this holiday season. By supporting each other and taking a moment to think of those in need, we can help individuals and families who may be struggling with food insecurity or the pressure to deliver on holiday promises, because no one should go hungry or have to choose between keeping warm and keeping the holiday spirit.

GOOD DEEDS: Honoring Our Local Veterans

By William P. O’Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

As Veterans Day approaches, let us take time to reflect on the service and sacrifice of those men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. From the earliest days of our nation to the present, veterans have stood in defense of our freedoms, often at great personal cost. Here in Norfolk County, we are fortunate to have a rich history of military service, stories of courage, commitment, and community that deserve to be remembered.

GOOD DEEDS: Honoring Our Local Veterans

Throughout the 28 communities that make up Norfolk County, individuals have answered the call to serve in every major conflict. Some returned home to build lives and families, while others made the ultimate sacrifice. Each story is a thread in the fabric of our shared history. In our Notable Land Records booklet “We Remember Our Veterans” we highlight the lives of local heroes who served with distinction.

Among them are:

2nd Lieutenant Alton Wood of Braintree led a patrol in WWI and was mortally wounded while ensuring his men’s safety. He received the Distinguished Service Cross for his bravery in “No Man’s Land.” Wood grew up at 8 Washington Place and graduated from Braintree High School in 1907. Braintree proclaimed May 4, 2018, as “2nd Lieutenant Alton Wood Day.”

Colonel George T. Lee of Norwood flew 258 combat missions in WWII and became the youngest colonel in the Air Corps. He later served in the Berlin Airlift and was honored with the British Distinguished Flying Cross. His missions were captured on film and are now preserved by the Norwood Historical Society. Norwood dedicated the Nahatan Street Bridge in his memory.

Corporal Tony Andreotti of Canton served in Korea and later became Canton’s Veterans Agent for over two decades. He helped establish the Veterans Memorial Park and the Veterans Department Honor Guard in Canton. Known for his personal dedication, Mr. Andreotti assisted hundreds of veterans and families. He created a lasting legacy of remembrance in his community.

Sergeant John T. Carota of Milton was a Marine and Milton High graduate who served three tours in Vietnam. He was mortally wounded in 1967 during Operation Swift in the Que Son Valley. His commanding officer called him “the best of the best of Marines.” Today, his legacy lives on at Carota Square in Milton.

General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr. of Quincy served in Iraq and Afghanistan and rose to become Commandant of the Marine Corps. He was appointed Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, serving under Presidents Obama and Trump. Known as “Fighting Joe,” he earned respect across the military for his leadership and integrity. He retired in 2019 after more than four decades of service.

Veterans Day is also a time to recognize the contributions of women who have served. Their roles have evolved over time, but their impact has always been significant.

Among the women are:

Deborah Sampson of Sharon disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. She served with distinction and was honorably discharged. Sampson treated her own wounds to avoid discovery and later petitioned for equal pay. Her legacy endures as one of the few known women to serve in combat during the Revolution.

Minnie Goodnow of Brookline was a nurse and author, served in France during WWI with the Second Harvard Unit. She documented wartime medical care and wrote extensively on nursing education and rehabilitation. Her works include The Auxiliary War Nurse and Compound Fractures in the War. Goodnow later settled in Brookline and passed away in 1952.

Mary Jeanette Murray of Cohasset served in the Marine Corps during WWII and later became a respected state legislator. She was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1976 and served until 2001. Murray was active in veterans’ causes and more than 40 civic organizations. She passed away in 2006, leaving a lasting mark on her town and state.

Colonel Mary C. Quinn of Weymouth served in Korea and Vietnam, including during the Tet Offensive. She was Chief Nurse of the 71st Evacuation Hospital, where her compound was struck by rocket fire eight times. Quinn later served at Fort Devens and in Germany, retiring in 1986. She helped establish Weymouth’s Korean War and nursing memorials.

These individuals and many others represent the best of Norfolk County. Their stories are not only about military service, but about resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to our communities and our country.

Copies of We Remember Our Veterans and We Remember Our Women are available at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds building in Dedham or can be downloaded online at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

This Veterans Day, as a community let us take a moment to honor all who served and continue to serve in the armed forces. Attend a local ceremony, share a veteran’s story, or take a moment of silence to reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service. Let us ensure that the legacy of our local veterans, men and women alike, lives on for generations to come.

Good Deeds: We remember our Women - Sep 10

GOOD DEEDS: "We Remember Our Women"

By William P. O'Donnell

Norfolk County Register of Deeds

Good Deeds: We remember our Women - Sep 10

Many Americans may never fully appreciate the strength, vision, and lasting impact of the women who have shaped our country, our communities, and our lives. Some of these individuals exhibited perseverance, others bold leadership, and still others through a lifetime of dedication, intellect, courage, and love. We all have women in our lives who were impactful and make each of us who we are today. On Wednesday, September 10, 2025, the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds will honor the impact and importance of women in our society with an open house and the release of "We Remember Our Women," the fourth volume in the Registry's Notable Land Records series.

The event will take place from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM in the Registry's Great Hall at 649 High Street in Dedham Center and is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served, and guests will receive copies of the notable land record publication "We Remember Our Women." Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor Kimberley L. Driscoll will deliver keynote remarks, adding a powerful voice to an afternoon dedicated to honoring the women of Norfolk County.

The creation of the "We Remember Our Women" booklet was made possible by the Registry's History Comes Alive Transcription Project, which has transcribed over 450,000 handwritten land records dating back to 1793. These records now allow users to see the legal cursive script and clearly readable print text, which can more easily reveal the land histories of early Norfolk County residents. This repository of land records is available to the public both at the Norfolk County Registry of Deeds and online from the comfort of home via our website at www.norfolkdeeds.org.

This edition of Notable Land Records pays tribute to 44 women from the 28 communities of Norfolk County whose lives and work have left a lasting mark on society. Their stories span medicine, environmental advocacy, journalism, literature, and military service. Among those featured are the second female doctor in the United States, a conservationist from Canton, two female Army Generals, a gold medalist gymnast, and an astronaut who recently returned from space. All living women featured in the booklet have been invited to attend the event, offering guests a rare opportunity to meet and celebrate these trailblazers in person.

The article also includes a few interesting facts that help bring these stories to life. One woman from Norwood helped shape national civil rights policy through decades of advocacy and leadership. Another, from Randolph, broke barriers in broadcast journalism, becoming a trusted voice in homes across the country. A trailblazer from Canton helped launch a conservation movement that changed how Americans protect wildlife. In Quincy, one woman's legacy continues to influence the world of film and stage. These are just a few of the many inspiring stories found in the pages of "We Remember Our Women."

Abigail Adams, the second First Lady of the United States, was born in Norfolk County in 1744 in Weymouth. In 1764 she married John Adams. She was President Adams's closest confidant and took an active role in politics and what was happening in the country. Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John during the Continental Congress debate in Philadelphia, "I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors." This event carries forward her message, recognizing those whose contributions continue to shape life in our communities and beyond.

There are a number of points throughout the year that recognize the impact and importance of women in our society. Women's History Month is celebrated during the month of March. Women's Equality Day takes place on August 26 commemorating the 1920 adoption of the 19^th amendment to the United States Constitution which prohibits the states and federal government from denying the right to vote to citizens of the United States on the basis of sex.

It is important to recognize and be mindful of the women in our contemporary society and all they have accomplished. Let us take a moment to thank all women who have made a difference in our communities and in our own lives. Our lives, our communities and our country would not be what they are today without all of you. So come down to the Registry of Deeds in Dedham Center on Wednesday, September 10th to celebrate and give thanks.

Good Deeds: A Taste of History (video)

As the 'dog days of summer' approach, many of us seek a refreshing escape from the heat and summer doldrums. And more often than not, our thoughts turn to that quintessential warm-weather treat: ice cream. While many of us fondly remember childhood trips for a cone, few names evoke nostalgic Americana quite like Howard Johnson’s, an iconic brand that got its start right here in Norfolk County.

For decades, Howard Johnson's was more than just a restaurant chain; it was a roadside icon, a beacon for travelers, known for its distinctive orange roofs and, perhaps most famously, its 28 flavors of ice cream. What began in 1925 with Howard Deering Johnson selling ice cream from a small soda shop in Wollaston, a section of Quincy would turn in to the largest restaurant chain in the United States. 

He enhanced ice cream quality by using a recipe that doubled butterfat, used only natural flavorings, and used hand-cranked makers to churn the chilled cream. By 1928 the ice cream was grossing $240,000 in sales in the store and at nearby beaches. The very last Howard Johnson's restaurant, located in Lake George, New York, closed its doors in 2022, marking the end of a nearly century-long era.

Click the link to watch the Good Deeds: History Comes Alive segment on Howard Johnson on our website here: https://www.norfolkdeeds.org/news-event/announcements/good-deeds-history-comes-alive-howard-johnsons

But even as a national giant receded into history, the spirit of local ice cream establishments has continued to thrive, particularly here in Norfolk County. These are the places that have stood the test of time.

The Bubbling Brook on 1652 High Street in Westwood opened in 1951 by original owners Hazel and Vival Ingraham who purchased the property from H.P. Hood & Sons Inc. (Deed recorded in book 2520, page 353).  Ed and Gloria Cortas owned and operated the ice cream shop from 1988 to 1991 and since 2003. In 2005, their daughter Marie Adams became a joint owner.

Charlotte Yourell and her sister opened JJ's Dairy Hut in 1956 at 140 Chief Justice Cushing Highway in Cohasset. Their venture began after Kimball's ice cream store, a local favorite, closed the previous year. In 1977, Frank Loiacono purchased JJ's from the sisters, though Charlotte Yourell continued to work at the ice cream shop. The ownership changed hands again in 1989 when Lilly Sestito, who had started working at JJ's at just 13 years old, bought the business (lease recorded in book 4074, page 411). Both Frank Loiacono and Charlotte Yourell continued their dedication to JJ's, working there and training the next generation of “JJ's scoopers.”

In 1963, business partners John Wallace and John O’Faherty purchased a former Sunoco Gas station on 635 Adams Street in Quincy (Deed recorded in book 4074, page 509). That same year the owners transformed the location into an ice cream stand naming it Dairy Freeze. Both owners continued to play a part in the business for over 37 years.

Crescent Ridge started when founder Malby Perrish purchased farmland at 355 Bay Road in Sharon from Edith and Evelyn McBride (deed recorded in book 1957, page 593). The farm has been family-owned and operated since, originally delivering fresh milk in classic glass bottles. It wasn't until 1968 that the first Crescent Ridge Dairy Bar opened, using surplus milk to craft their now award-winning homemade ice cream. Generations of the Parrish family have continued the tradition.

The story of Black Cow Ice Cream, a seasonal ice cream shop at 1397 Main Street in Millis, began in 1997. Walter Walsh established the business, two years after he purchased Marcy's Seafood & Ice Cream in 1995 (deed recorded in book 11076, page 651). Today, his daughter, Charlotte Walsh, operates the family-run shop.

These local establishments represent more than just a cool treat on a hot day. They are deeply rooted in our communities and remind us that while some things change, the simple joy of an ice cream cone on a warm day is timeless.