By Amy Buskey 

 

Why not? The late great Doug Ross (1921-2012) of Norwood used to ask the same question, and by doing so, he and his friends got things done around town. Trivial things to some, but as often is the case, it is those little, personable things that can have a significant impact on people.

If you have lived in Norwood for any length of time, chances are you know a Ross. I certainly do, and remember well meeting Doug and getting to know him. As a former photojournalist for the Bulletin newspapers, it was inevitable I would cross paths with Doug eventually. Most notable was his appearance as Grand Marshal during the 2011 Norwood 4th of July parade. His reach extended far; through his love of square dancing and his time with the senior center. Add to that a lifelong member of the Norwood Elks, and there are many people who knew him. 

Doug had many friends too, and it was in his later years he formed the “Why Nots” with several of them. The “Why Nots” simply consisted of Doug and some old friends. He would make a few calls or leave a few messages to hold an impromptu meeting at a local donut spot, and the group would meet up to brainstorm. I recently caught up with daughter Ellen (Ross) Rano of Norwood, who recalled one such Why Not idea.“A lot of residents had either nonexistent or too small a number on their homes,” Ellen reminisced. “The Why Nots would go door to door and hand out large numbers to residents to better identify their homes.” 

Because this was before modern technology, the mission was well received by the Norwood Police and Fire departments regarding locating a home during an emergency. 

Another notable Why Not was Doug’s general observation of the police cruisers. He questioned why the cruisers were not backed into their parking spots for a quick out when a call comes in. An excellent question - it is simply good old fashioned common sense – heck I back my car in wherever I park.

“The police chief at the time wanted nothing to do with him,” Ellen recalled. “But Chief Brooks listened, and the cruisers are still backed into their spots to this day.” 

That comes as no surprise to me. In my time in Norwood, I photographed Chief Brooks too, for his formal head shot. He struck me as an open-minded individual, and a great listener who made the path to his desk a friendlier one. And speaking of paths, those walking trails at Hennessy Field? Yep, the Why Nots made their mark there as well getting some donated land developed into the trails many residents use every day. 

While Doug and the Why Nots are sadly all gone now, their simple general observations and push to action really does live on. As I hit the fast forward button to 2023, I found myself asking the very same question that Doug used to – why not? The entrance to my neighborhood houses a VFW, local 5390 to be exact. My husband and I pass by it all the time, and as a gardener I could not help but notice the grounds were an eyesore. The areas that framed the building were devoid of any colorful plants, a look of near abandonment really. I found it sad that our neighborhood veterans walk past such dismal grounds with nothing more than a sprinkling of cigarette butts to look at. As if Doug were working through me, I blurted out to my husband – why not donate a redo of the garden beds? Why not? A few texts and messages later, our offer was well received by the post commander, and brand-new gardens were installed just in time for the Memorial Day weekend. A fitting tribute for those who serve or have served, the entrance to the once barren 5390 is now framed with a colorful collection of biodiversity. Butterflies dance among the perennials, and people linger a bit longer. Birds and bees now fly where there once were none, and the spirit of Doug Ross (late WWII Coast Guard Veteran) and the Why Nots truly lives on, far beyond Norwood. 

Amy Buskey, formerly of Norwood is a wildlife rehabilitator (RI) and conservationist. She and her husband Rick reside in Rhode Island with their beagle, Doug.