Posted by Pat Ward
The Hazleton Rotary Club is happy to say “the track is back”! Once again you can join the club at the starting gate for an evening of fun at a “Night At the Races,” Saturday, April 28.    You can purchase a horse or place a bet at the J.J. Ferrara Performing Arts Center, 212 West Broad Street, Hazleton.  The doors to this Hazleton Rotary Club fundraiser, will open at 6:00PM, with festivities scheduled to begin at 6:30PM.  
Project Chairman Jason Brenner is very pleased to announce that Avellino Enterprises and Community Bank are event sponsors.  Area businesses wishing to sponsor the event or advertise in the race program distributed to all attendees should contact Jason at 570-454-8706 for details.  
The admission price is $8 for advanced tickets or $10 at the door that evening.   
PHOTO: Planning the Hazleton Rotary Club Night at the Races Project are,  left to right:  Immediate Past President Pat Ward, President Toni Christman, vice chair Michele Ustynoski and Chairman Jason Brenner. Additional committee members are Lisa Marie Halecky, Tim Genetti, Sharon Farver, Marie Ernst, Pat Korb, Ken Trippett, Ron Avellino, Dr. Peter Spohn, and Jim Kelshaw.
 
It promises to be a fun filled evening with 10 races (sets of 10 horses running each race).  Owners of winning horses will be awarded $50.00!  
Horses and admission tickets can be purchased prior to Race Night from any Rotary Club member.  Don’t know a Rotary Club member?  Call Jason at 570-454-8706 to buy a horse and possibly win $50.00!  Visit www.hazletonrotary.com or the Hazleton Rotary Club Facebook Page for more information.  
Enjoy the magic of naming and racing your own horse—you can buy as many horses as you want at a cost of $10 each.   Horses may also be purchased on the night of the race and will be announced in a race that has an open slot.  Owners of the winning horses don’t have to be present to claim their $50 prize.  
Just like at the track, windows will also be available for betting prior to each race.  Each ticket will cost $2.  There is no limit on the number of tickets purchased.
FREE food and refreshments will be available throughout the night.  You must be 21 years old or older in order to attend.   
You can also purchase a strip of tickets and take a chance on winning any of the wonderful array of Tricky Trays that will be available.   Drawings will be held throughout the evening and you must be present to win.  
Also, the Hazleton "Drop the Drugs" van will be parked in front of the event, and participants are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to discard any prescription medicines that they no longer need.
Additional committee members are Rotarians Michele Ustynoski, Lisa Marie Halecky, Tim Genetti, Sharon Farver, Marie Ernst, Pat Korb, Pat Ward, Ken Trippett, Ron Avellino, Peter Spohn, and Jim Kelshaw.
Proceeds from this fundraising project will be used to provide some “Service Above Self” Community Service Grants and to support various Hazleton Rotary Club community service projects. Examples are an annual Kidz Coatz giveaway, 3rd grade dictionary giveaway, children’s Christmas shopping spree and scholarships awarded to selected High School Seniors.   
For updated information on Rotary Club activities please visit www.hazletonrotary.org and/or the Rotary Club of Hazleton Facebook page.