A community tradition happened last week in Cambridge Springs. The tradition first began almost 100 years ago.

Sometimes it happens twice a year. Sometimes it may take two or three years to transpire.

What is this special tradition? It’s the presentation of the Gold Headed Cane.

It was first presented in 1927 and has been passed on to the oldest resident of Cambridge Springs ever since. What a neat tradition!

We met Elizabeth Richardson. Her friends call her Bette. She became the 41st recipient of the Gold Headed Cane during a ceremony earlier this month.

This cane is a big deal here in Cambridge Springs.

Bette, who is 96 years old, does not like being in the limelight.

"Let's just get it over with,” she said with a laugh. “All this attention. It's not me."

Bette is the latest of a distinguished list of people who have received this Cambridge Springs icon. The first recipient was George D. Humes in 1927.

The local newspaper helped raise funds to create the Gold-Headed Cane to honor this beloved citizen as he approached his 100th birthday.

Two months after the presentation, Humes' house was destroyed by fire, and so was the cane.

"It was big news back then,” said Cambridge Springs Mayor Delores Hale. 

When Humes passed away in 1928, the tradition began to pass on the replacement cane to the oldest citizen in town.

You keep the cane until you die or move outside the borough limits. Every citizen who receives the cane gets their name inscribed on it for eternity.

The Cambridge Springs Historical Society has a scrapbook that highlights all of the Gold Headed Cane recipients. Inside is the story of one man who was overjoyed by the distinction.

"Having his name inserted on there and having that cane. That was to him a huge honor,” Mayor Hale said.

One woman didn't want the Gold Headed Cane.

"There is a funny story about that,” Hale said. “There was one recipient who denied the cane because she called it The Cane of Death.  She didn't want the cane."

Bette, the current recipient, may not like the attention, but she is indeed honored. She said she will display the cane prominently in her apartment.

"I can point it out to family and friends, whoever does show up,” she said. “I'll say, 'Hey, look here what I've got.'"

Recipients of the Gold Headed Cane must be residents of Cambridge Springs for at least 10 years to qualify for the award.

Mayor Hale said many people have asked if the rules can be changed to accommodate people living in the surrounding area. She tells them no.

She said the cane is a proud Cambridge Springs tradition.