325 Children Entered Annual Fishing Derby-This Day in Norwood History-June 15, 1954

The Norwood Sportsman’s Association’s fourth annual Children’s Fishing Derby held last Sunday at Guild Pond proved to be another smash hit for 325 eager boy and girl anglers who caught a record amount of various piscatorial favorites for their efforts, and had an afternoon of fun while more than 400 fans watched the proceedings, many of them camera enthusiasts.

Three grand prize winners were Pamela Jean Howard, and Hobart and Sharlene Kemp who pulled a brother and sister act for the other two awards «donated by the Better Fishing Institute of Chicago which were complete fishing sets.

The Howard youngster caught the first fish which was a Sunfish. Hobart and his sister Sharlene both caught the most fish by weight during the afternoon.

Through the generous cooperation of the leading sporting goods manufacturers, hundreds of tackle equipment were given as other prizes to those catching fish, and for those who participated but did not catch anything. No youngster was left without a prize.

Top secondary awards were: Adam Benkavicht, first hornpout; Dana Maus, first pickerel; Jackie Lane, first shiner; Janice Perry, first yellow perch; Bob Brock, first white perch and first brown trout; Kevin McLean, first bass; Dana Maus, first and only turtle.

Tim Boswell, largest sunfish; Adam Benkevitch, and Michael Turchinetz, largest hornpout; Dana Maus, largest pickerel; Jackie Lane, largest shiner; Douglas Smith, largest white perch; Bob Brock, largest and first trout.

Over two hundred other prizes which ranged from expertly made lures, line and reels were given away in a drawing.

The members of the Norwood Sportsman’s Association have adopted the derby as an annual affair. It is conducted so that all youngsters up through 14 years of age may participate at no cost to them.

Fourth Annual Event

This year’s derby is their fourth, and the appreciation of their work can be seen as the youngsters enjoy themselves fishing, and the expressions on their faces cannot be put in words when the prizes were awarded.

Chairman Ken Gibbs, Club President Tony Velardo, and Tony Ortins, BFI member in this area, headed large committees of fellow »members, and their wives working for the success of their annual derby.

The Association has over 175 members and the club is a member of the Norfolk County League. They are associated with a number of other National and State Leagues dedicated to good fishing, hunting, and conservation.

Judges of the Contest were Patsy Santoro, Bennie Santoro, and Ken Gibbs. Registration: Libby Thompson, Josephine Ortins, and Gereen Gibbs. Membership Committee: Eugene Reynolds, John Turchon. Registration of fish: Bill Vient, Julie Velardo, and Donald Pike.

.Squad leaders: Fred Fiore, Teddy Blackman, Peter Johnson, Arnold Eardley, Harry Brylinski, John Grover, John Eppich, George Jameson, John Haag, Frank Lelorio, Edward Maloof, William Patton, Jr., Edwin Smith, Henry Santoro, Thomas Femesson, George Eardley, Jerry Pike, Dave Barylon, Jim Snead, Cleo Boisvert, Edward H. Thompson.

Canoe men were Lawrence Waughn, Dave Mitchell, Pete Thurson, Woody Pozzee, David Pachard. Refreshment committee that han. died free Coco-Cola and Hood chocolate drinks to all the participants in the derby were: Carl L. Johnson, George Thompson, Paul J. D’Espinosa, Phil Johnson, David Johnson, Helen Barylinski, Rose Santoro, Adele Howard, and Winnie Eckhardt.

The tackle firms which provided the fine prizes were from all over the country and a few in this vicinity: Worth, Old Pal, Lou Johnson, Lutz Pork Bait, Arnold Tackle, Tony Accetta and Sons, Inc., Rainbow Lines, Wright McGill, B.F.L, Stan Gibbs Lures, Weezel Bait Co., Fred Arbogast.

Paul Bunan, Dayton Bait, L and S Bait, Newton Line. Phillips Fly Tackle, Lou Eppinger, Ocean City, Cortland Line, Assinippi Line. Marathon Line, Sparkling Products, Whittemore Co., Woodstock Line, Kautz Lazy Ike. Streamline Products, M. Scharf. Pequeee Works. Inc., Tony Ortins.

(All articles were originally published in the Norwood Messenger unless otherwise noted)