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.