Before the end of 2016, the Lehigh Chapter of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees celebrated 50 years of its charter with the state association.

The group met at Iron Lakes Country Club, North Whitehall, for the celebration, attended by PASR state officers.

Members also honored outgoing officers and installed new officers for the 2017-18 year.

Gary A. Parker, PASR state president-elect did the honors of installing the new officers.

Newly elected officers were Linda Bortz, president and Allentown School District retiree; Thomas Newhard, president-elect and retiree of Southern Lehigh; Edward Richards, treasurer and Recreo treasurer (Recreo means recess in Spanish) and East Penn retiree; and Eileen Stinson, recording secretary an East Penn retiree.

There is currently a vacancy for the position of vice president.

PASR Region 2 Director Joan Glass announced to the group of retirees their Lehigh Chapter was the only one in the state to “successfully complete all of the goals and activities established by the state association.”

Glass also presented a Certificate of Commendation to Lehigh Chapter President Bortz in recognition of the group’s 50th year anniversary.

Bortz then presented the John J. Dillon Award to William Bedics, of Allentown, a retiree from the Easton School District, who served as treasurer for the chapter for the past four years.

The annual award recognizes outstanding service and contributions to the association.

The group celebrated with food and fellowship as they embark on a new year.

The Lehigh County Chapter is comprised of school retirees who live in Lehigh County or were employed by one of the administrative units that serve the county.