Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians!
I am writing this blog from my hotel room in Polk City, Iowa, about halfway between Des Moines and Ames. I am here for my daughter Rebecca’s wedding on Saturday. Fortunately, the last couple of weeks have slowed down a bit for me. We had a successful follow-up meeting to build a new Kiwanis Club in Hazleton. It was held on August 5, at the Hazleton Integration Project (HIP) Community Center. Around 25 people attended, mostly from the Hazleton Latino community. Our host was Rossanna Gabriel, the Executive Director of HIP. District Membership Coordinator Mike Coolbaugh provided details about how a new Kiwanis Club is organized, how to apply for membership, the dues structure and much more. There was genuine interest by everyone in attendance, and many thoughtful questions. John Cara of the Kiwanis Club of Conyngham-The Valley shared information about some of that club’s service projects and fundraisers. One gentleman, a native Peruvian, was especially interested in joining. And another attendee submitted her application and payment the next day! So, we are up to 5 paid charter members with several more in the wings. Our next Hazleton meeting will be on Tuesday, September 19, beginning at 6:30 at HIP.
At the same time, we are planning the opening of a new club in Kutztown-Brandywine Heights (K-BH). The “kickoff meeting” of the K-BH New Club Opening Team was held on August 6, on Zoom. Members of that team include Mike Coolbaugh, Cathy Szymanski, Miranda Burton, Barb Carter, Jim Janosik, Kyle Butcavage, Kelly Kinkaid, Bob Smith, Renee Wetherhold, Karen Baker and myself. The K-BH Facebook page is now live, and we being making phone calls this week to set up appointments for August 25-28. We have scheduled an information meeting for August 28 at 6 PM at Zion’s Union Church in Maxatawny.
The Kiwanis Clubs of Greater Latrobe, and the Greater Northampton Area are busy planning their Charter Ceremonies! I attended the Northampton meeting this past Wednesday where they selected a venue and potential dates for their event.
AND, plans are also underway to build a new Kiwanis Club in Beaver, PA the week of September 22. The Kiwanis Club of Sheraden has agreed to sponsor that club with Barb Carter as the club coach. We are excited about the prospect of welcoming several new clubs to our District Kiwanis family!
I just announced the winner of the 3rd quarter “A Rise In Membership” contest – the Kiwanis Club of Stroudsburg! They have added 9 new members since October 1. I will be attending their dinner meeting this Wednesday, August 13, to present them with a Certificate of Achievement, a $100 donation to their Service Account, and a $100 WaWa gift card. Yes, WaWa breaks the ice by being chosen over Sheetz for a gift card! But Sheetz is still ahead 2-1with just a 4th quarter winner left in my contest.
On a more somber note, many of you are already aware that I lost a good friend and great Kiwanian this past week. I have known Bob Ashcraft since 1999 and eventually sponsored him as a new member of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown in March 2002. Bob went on to serve as club Secretary from 2005-06 and President from 2006-07 and 2008-09. From 2011-12 he served as Division 18 Lt. Governor. For the past several years he has been President or Vice-President of our club’s foundation. Bob was excited about attending the KI Convention in Pittsburgh. He had family there and was a huge Steelers fan. In fact, he and I had lunch together at the convention Friday afternoon and he was decked out in Steelers gear from head to toe. He was in a good mood. We registered him as a delegate, and he was looking forward to supporting Cathy Szymanski for Kiwanis International Vice President at the House of Delegates the next morning. That evening, he attended the Pirates game with a former classmate from Emmaus High School, who is a retired physician in the Pittsburgh area. He had a great time at the ballpark. The following morning, he woke up in excruciating pain. He was rushed to the ER. They found advanced liver cancer that had metastasized. He was about to start immunotherapy treatment when, on the evening of August 5, he passed away. In less than 6 weeks he went from the Bob Ashcraft that I knew and loved to having his life ended. As I mourn the loss of my friend, I have some solace knowing that his suffering is over. Bob will always be remembered for his love of children, his dedication to Kiwanis and our mission, his faith, and his endearing sense of humor. I believe that he is being rewarded in heaven for his good deeds here on earth. Our Kiwanis family has lost an outstanding member. Rest in peace, my friend.
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Posted: August 9, 2025 by pennsylvaniakiwanis
An Update and a Tribute
Greetings, fellow Pennsylvania Kiwanians!
I am writing this blog from my hotel room in Polk City, Iowa, about halfway between Des Moines and Ames. I am here for my daughter Rebecca’s wedding on Saturday. Fortunately, the last couple of weeks have slowed down a bit for me. We had a successful follow-up meeting to build a new Kiwanis Club in Hazleton. It was held on August 5, at the Hazleton Integration Project (HIP) Community Center. Around 25 people attended, mostly from the Hazleton Latino community. Our host was Rossanna Gabriel, the Executive Director of HIP. District Membership Coordinator Mike Coolbaugh provided details about how a new Kiwanis Club is organized, how to apply for membership, the dues structure and much more. There was genuine interest by everyone in attendance, and many thoughtful questions. John Cara of the Kiwanis Club of Conyngham-The Valley shared information about some of that club’s service projects and fundraisers. One gentleman, a native Peruvian, was especially interested in joining. And another attendee submitted her application and payment the next day! So, we are up to 5 paid charter members with several more in the wings. Our next Hazleton meeting will be on Tuesday, September 19, beginning at 6:30 at HIP.
At the same time, we are planning the opening of a new club in Kutztown-Brandywine Heights (K-BH). The “kickoff meeting” of the K-BH New Club Opening Team was held on August 6, on Zoom. Members of that team include Mike Coolbaugh, Cathy Szymanski, Miranda Burton, Barb Carter, Jim Janosik, Kyle Butcavage, Kelly Kinkaid, Bob Smith, Renee Wetherhold, Karen Baker and myself. The K-BH Facebook page is now live, and we being making phone calls this week to set up appointments for August 25-28. We have scheduled an information meeting for August 28 at 6 PM at Zion’s Union Church in Maxatawny.
The Kiwanis Clubs of Greater Latrobe, and the Greater Northampton Area are busy planning their Charter Ceremonies! I attended the Northampton meeting this past Wednesday where they selected a venue and potential dates for their event.
AND, plans are also underway to build a new Kiwanis Club in Beaver, PA the week of September 22. The Kiwanis Club of Sheraden has agreed to sponsor that club with Barb Carter as the club coach. We are excited about the prospect of welcoming several new clubs to our District Kiwanis family!
I just announced the winner of the 3rd quarter “A Rise In Membership” contest – the Kiwanis Club of Stroudsburg! They have added 9 new members since October 1. I will be attending their dinner meeting this Wednesday, August 13, to present them with a Certificate of Achievement, a $100 donation to their Service Account, and a $100 WaWa gift card. Yes, WaWa breaks the ice by being chosen over Sheetz for a gift card! But Sheetz is still ahead 2-1with just a 4th quarter winner left in my contest.
On a more somber note, many of you are already aware that I lost a good friend and great Kiwanian this past week. I have known Bob Ashcraft since 1999 and eventually sponsored him as a new member of the Kiwanis Club of Allentown in March 2002. Bob went on to serve as club Secretary from 2005-06 and President from 2006-07 and 2008-09. From 2011-12 he served as Division 18 Lt. Governor. For the past several years he has been President or Vice-President of our club’s foundation. Bob was excited about attending the KI Convention in Pittsburgh. He had family there and was a huge Steelers fan. In fact, he and I had lunch together at the convention Friday afternoon and he was decked out in Steelers gear from head to toe. He was in a good mood. We registered him as a delegate, and he was looking forward to supporting Cathy Szymanski for Kiwanis International Vice President at the House of Delegates the next morning. That evening, he attended the Pirates game with a former classmate from Emmaus High School, who is a retired physician in the Pittsburgh area. He had a great time at the ballpark. The following morning, he woke up in excruciating pain. He was rushed to the ER. They found advanced liver cancer that had metastasized. He was about to start immunotherapy treatment when, on the evening of August 5, he passed away. In less than 6 weeks he went from the Bob Ashcraft that I knew and loved to having his life ended. As I mourn the loss of my friend, I have some solace knowing that his suffering is over. Bob will always be remembered for his love of children, his dedication to Kiwanis and our mission, his faith, and his endearing sense of humor. I believe that he is being rewarded in heaven for his good deeds here on earth. Our Kiwanis family has lost an outstanding member. Rest in peace, my friend.
Governor Tom
Pennsylvania District Governor
Category: Governor Blog
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