Torch Club and Perc Kelty win awards at convention

Staff report

LINCOLN, NEB.

The Youngstown Torch Club and one of its members received awards during the annual International Association of Torch Clubs Convention, which took place June 24 through 28 at the Holiday Inn.

The club received the President’s Recognition Award for Outstanding Club in Region 5. The award is conferred on a club whose members are published in Torch Magazine and whose members actively support and promote the Torch Club principles in programs and related activities.

The Youngstown chapter received the Outstanding Club Award in 2005 and 2013. Other clubs in Region 5 are Akron, Columbus and Toledo.

The Youngstown Torch Club interacts closely with its sister clubs throughout Ohio as well as nationally, and a local member serves on the editorial advisory committee for Torch Magazine, which is published three times a year. The Youngstown club hosted the IATC Convention in 2010.

Long-time member Perc Kelty was honored with the Silver Torch Award, which recognizes members who have served in an exemplary manner at the local club level.

Kelty served as president of the Youngstown club from 1987 to 1989, assisted in organizing the IATC Convention in Youngstown and helped to fund the Youngstown Torch Club Scholarship Fund in addition to presenting papers at club meetings.

Kelty, who was chief photographer for Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co., holds a master’s degree in photography. He served as chairman of the board of the Society of Photographic Scientists and Engineers and is an associate of the Photographic Society of Great Britain. He co-founded Animal Charity of Ohio, along with his wife, the late Dr. Jean Kelty, and he was chairman of the board.

The next IATC Convention will take place in Columbus in 2016. In 2017, Kalamazoo, Mich., will host it, and in 2018, Erie will host it.