Photo of three men, with John B. Kennedy seated in the center, buying the first tickets for the Norwood Kiwanis Club Sports Night event. Richard Noad is on the left and Herman Koplan on the right, all dressed formally.

Final preparations are underway for one of the most colorful and entertaining evenings of the season as the Norwood Kiwanis Club completes arrangements for its Second Annual Sports and Stage Show, to be held Tuesday night, June 2, at 8 p.m. at the Norwood Theatre.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the Kiwanis underprivileged children’s summer camp fund, making the night not only lively but meaningful.

A Full Card of Boxing, Wrestling & Vaudeville

The Kiwanis Club has assembled an outstanding lineup of ring performers, blending local talent with visiting professionals for a program designed to appeal to sports fans and families alike.

Boxing Bouts Featuring Norwood’s Own

Local amateur and professional fighters will headline the boxing portion of the show:

  • Al “Stonewall” Lane vs. “Slammin’ Slim” Surette
  • “Bozo the Bomber” Doyle vs. “Jarrin’ Joe” Costello
  • “Lil Arthur” Stivaletta of Dedham vs. “Battlin’ Bruce” Stevens of Stoughton

These matchups promise fast action and plenty of hometown rooting interest.

Explore more about Norwood boxing history.

Wrestling Attractions: From California to Chicago

The wrestling card is equally impressive, headlined by:

  • “Gorgeous Gus” Johnson of California
  • “Rocky” Baron of Chicago

The two will meet in a best two‑of‑three falls match.

Women’s Wrestling Semi‑Final

Lady wrestlers take the spotlight in a special feature bout:

  • Carolyn Keene of Hartford
  • Ann Lake of Detroit

This match is scheduled for one fall with a 30‑minute time limit.

Additional Wrestling Matches

  • Les Ryan, Fordham University football star, vs. Les Ruffian of Lawrence
  • Paul Paree vs. Danny Dunn

Adding to the fun, the guest referee for the women’s match will be Mike Pusateri, described as “a one‑man show himself.”

Tickets Available Throughout Town

Tickets may be purchased at:

  • Furlong’s Candy Store
  • Russell’s Pharmacy
  • Norwood Pharmacy
  • Day Street Lunch
  • Balch Pharmacy
  • Brooks Pharmacy
  • Boston Shoe Store
  • Jack’s Taxi
  • Guild Taxi
  • Norwood Theatre

The event is chaired by Roy Haberland and Hershey Bernstein, who are overseeing all arrangements.

A Gala Evening for a Worthy Cause

With boxing, wrestling, vaudeville, and local personalities all sharing the stage, the Kiwanis Sports and Stage Show promises to be one of the standout community events of the year. And with proceeds supporting the summer camp fund, every ticket helps brighten a child’s summer.

Text and images may have been created, edited, colorized, or digitally restored using AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini. All content is reviewed for accuracy and historical integrity before publication by the Norwood Historical Society


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