Our New President 2017-18

Antonia Kelpsh will be installed as the 97th President of the Rotary Club of Hazleton at the annual Presidents Party to be held at the Valley Country Club on June 28, 2017. We are honored to say that Antonia will be the second female to hold this office.

 

Antonia has been a member of the Rotary Club of Hazleton for 18 years and she was sponsored for membership by Rotarian Mark Frumkin.  Kelpsh's Rotary activities have included service as the club President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, and board member. She has been involved with the spaghetti dinners, distribution of dictionaries to areas third-grade students, Kidzcoatz, answering phones at the cancer telethon, Night at the Races, and the Beer and Wine festivals.
 

 

The theme of the coming year in Rotary International is "Rotary: Making a Difference." Kelpsh said, “Whether we are giving dictionaries to school children, delivering coats to area youngsters, or improving medical care or water filtration systems, we know that the work we do will change people’s lives in ways, large and small, for the better. We want to create awareness in our community about the club’s projects and activities, so that the community gets to know just what Rotary is all about.”

Kelpsh continues, “Another goal for this coming year is to increase our membership. We currently have 78 active and 14 honorary members. Our club not only focuses on our community, but we also have social events for our members. Fellowship is also a large part of Rotary.”
 

Antonia graduated from Weatherly Area High School and Penn State University and holds a degree in Administration of Justice.

 

She is a recipient of the YWCA Pearl Award.

 

She received a Gemological Institute of America degree in Diamonds. She is the co-owner, with her fiancé, Robert Christman, of Antonia's Jewelry and Repair, 289 Airport Road, Hazle Township, Pa. She opened her business in 2015. Her store not only sells high-end and fashion jewelry, but has an on-site jewelry repair and engraving station. She was previously employed by Howard's Jeweler's.
 

Antonia will be celebrating her marriage to Robert Christman in June. Robert is also a corporal with the Pennsylvania State Police.
 

Antonia officially takes over the reins of the club on July 1, 2017.  Other officers and Board members will be:   Vice President, Alan Whitaker; Secretary, Bernie Rudegeair, Recording Secretary; Lani Drobnock; Treasurer, Pat Owens; Sergeant-at-Arms, John Schwear and Immediate Past President, Pat Ward.   President Ward adds that members of the Board will be: Gene Dougherty, Jim Kelshaw, Tom Lagana,Jason Brenner, Mark Imbriaco, Jim Reinmiller, Gary Lagana, Ken Trippet and Kathie Oh.  Pat Korb will continue as Publicity Coordinator.