ORANGE — Florence Bickford, 101, has received the Boston Post Cane for being the oldest resident in town.

Orange Selectboard Chairman Tom Smith recently presented her with the cane and a certificate of recognition. The cane is awarded to the oldest resident of a town.

The tradition began in 1909 when Edwin Grozier, publisher of the now-defunct Boston Post newspaper, distributed canes to municipalities across New England. Each cane, crafted using ebony wood from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was originally given to the oldest male resident of a town, but the tradition was expanded to women in 1930. Each town’s name is inscribed on the 14-carat gold head.

More information about the Boston Post Cane can be found at: bostonpostcane.org.

Early voting coming up in Orange

ORANGE – Town Hall is gearing up for early voting.

After entering the building at 6 Prospect St., voters should go to the Town Clerk’s office to check in and receive a ballot.

Early voting is available on from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 24, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Feb. 26, 27 and 29, and from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Feb. 28.

Orange dog license deadline approaching

ORANGE – Dog licenses must be renewed by March 31 or a $50 late fee will be charged. Proof of rabies vaccination and neutering/spaying is required for all dogs.

The owner or keeper of a dog older than six months is required to obtain a license for the dog.

Dog licenses payments may be made by check through the mail, via the drop box located by the door at Town Hall, paid for online via the Town Website (www.townoforange.org), or in person at the Town Clerk’s Office via cash, check, or card.

Address the check or money order payable to the “Town of Orange,” with the required fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope if you’re mailing in for a license or dropping off paperwork with payment in the drop box at Town Hall.

Licenses can be done online if the dog is on file with the Town Clerk’s Office and their rabies information is up to date. If the records show the rabies is expired, you will not be able to renew online. Once an online payment is received the license and tag will be mailed to the address on file. If paying online, a $1 processing fee is included.

It costs $10 to license a spayed or neutered dog. A dog that is not spayed or neutered costs $20.

Lussier becomes Selectboard vice chair; Andrew Smith clerk

ORANGE – The Orange Selectboard reorganized itself on Wednesday, at its first meeting since the Feb. 5 election.

Switching roles, Andrew Smith became clerk and Pat Lussier became vice chair. Chairman Tom Smith was reappointed to his position.

Lussier said she feels the chairmanship takes the better part of a year to learn. Tom Smith equated it to a full-time job.

The meeting was the first for member Julie Davis, who was elected on Feb. 5. Andrew Smith won re-election.

Jane Peirce, who has previously served as chair, is the board’s fifth member.

‘Making a Mystery’ heading to Wendell Free Library

WENDELL – “Making a Mystery,” a presentation of The Sisters in Crime, is scheduled for the Wendell Free Library at 1 p.m. on March 9.

In “Making a Mystery,” four published authors take suggestions from the audience on character names, motive, weapons, and settings. They then create a mystery in real time, with additional comments and suggestions from those present. The authors at the Wendell event are Martha “Max” Folsom, Elaine Issak, J.A. “Judith” McIntosh, and Susan Oleksiw. A reception will follow and the authors will have books for sale.

Folsom, a retired librarian, writes the “Baker Somerset Crime” novels and writes for a Sherlockian journal. Isaak, writing as E. Chris Ambrose, is a New York Times bestselling author. She writes the “Bone Guard” anthropological series. McIntosh writes the “Meredith, Massachusetts” series, about imperfect people seeking justice. Her next novel, a standalone titled “Swift River Secrets,” is due to be released this summer. Oleksiw writes mysteries set in New England and in India, where she has traveled extensively. Her short stories have appeared in “Alfred Hitchcock’s Mystery Magazine” and in the “Best New England Crime Stories.”

This presentation was made possible through a grant from the Wendell Cultural Council. Registration for this event is recommended and can be done at wendell@cwmars.org or by calling 978-544-3559.