In a country enthralled with youth, it’s nice to see the occasional nod to old age.

Last Sunday, December 1, Loring “Larry” Edgerly accepted the Boston Post Cane from Woolwich Selectmen’s Chairman David King and now reigns as Woolwich’s oldest living citizen.

King made the presentation at the town’s annual tree lighting and yule sing at Nequasset Meetinghouse.

In passing on the cane to Edgerly, King said, “It is my honor this afternoon to present a replica of the Woolwich cane to Mr. Loring Edgerly, our oldest resident at the age of 97. He was born in the town of Whitefield September 7, 1916 and moved to Woolwich in the late 1930’s, when he built a house on property he purchased from his family on Murphy’s Corner Road in 1941.

“He was called to serve in the Army in September 1941. He returned to Maine on furlough in 1944 to marry his wife, Geraldine. They raised two children, Sylvia and Dana, who both presently live in Woolwich also.”

Edgerly’s older sister, Mary Creamer, 99, of  Whitefield, was awarded that community’s post cane in 2010. The secret to the Edgerly siblings’ longevity is a story still to be told.

The Boston Post Cane tradition began in 1909 by the Boston Post newspaper and has survived the publication, which ceased in 1957. Over 400 communities in New England continue the tradition.

While Edgerly is the real deal, the cane he was presented on Sunday is not. The town keeps its original Post Cane, a black ebony walking stick with a gold crown, on permanent display at the Woolwich Town Office.