About Us
Who We Are
Who We Are
Who We Are
The Hagerstown Torch Club is a social organization for professionals from various backgrounds intended to promote friendship, conversation, and learning across disciplines. Members present original papers on professional, scholarly, or timely topics in an open, tolerant, and friendly environment.
Our Vision
Who We Are
Who We Are
We take no particular political, philosophical, or religious view, but seek to provide a forum for members to share their knowledge, experience and interests, providing new perspectives and insights. We do not avoid controversy, and when it occurs, present and discuss such topics with care and grace.
Our Values
Who We Are
Our Values
We value friendship, knowledge and curiosity, and enjoy sharing our perspectives and experience. This includes both the challenge of writing and presenting papers, and the enjoyment of listening to and discussing the information provided. We view club meetings as both social and learning events, and appreciate the efforts of presenters.
Meeting Schedule (Continued)
Feb. 20, 2022
Dr. Mike Parsons
"To be anounced"
Mar. 19, 2020
Pete Waters
"Abolitionists in Free Michigan"
Apr. 16, 2020
Brenda Hassinger
To be announced.
May 21, 2021
OPEN
To be announced.
Newsletter
TORCH CLUB
Hagerstown, Maryland
November 2023 Newsletter
NOVEMBER MEETING: Mark your calendar today for Tuesday, November 21st when Paul Jozik will present “My Life in Education: the Good, the Bad and the Peculiar."
In 1958 Paul Jozik entered 1st grade and began his formal education. In 2020 he retired. During that sixty-two-year span education was a major part of his life. Now after three years of retirement, he looks back on those years as a student, teacher, and professor recalling some significant experiences. He will also express his hopes and concerns relative to the future of education.
Paul Jozik grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, a former steel mill town on the Monongahela River close to Pittsburgh. In 1974 he graduated from Edinboro University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics and Mathematics. He was then hired to teach Physics at North Hagerstown High School (NHHS). After earning a Master’s Degree in Physics at Shippensburg University in 1977 he began adjunct teaching at Hagerstown Junior College. From 1978 to 1981 he also served NHHS as its head Track and Field coach. In 1982 he left NHHS and became a full-time faculty member at HJC, now HCC. In addition to Physics, Paul taught Mathematics, Computers, and Engineering courses as well as serving as the Chair of the Faculty Assembly, was HCC's representative to the Association of Faculties for the Advancement of Community College Teaching, and numerous other committees. He retired in July, 2020. His hobbies include golf, skiing, fishing, and membership in the Greencastle Sportsmen’s Association, BPOE 778, Lion's Club, and the Civil War Roundtable of Hagerstown. Paul also serves as a volunteer at HCC and as a Track and Field Official for the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. In the past fourteen months he has traveled to Antarctica and for two Road Scholar (formerly ElderHostel) programs held in Florida and Georgia.
RESERVATIONS: Let Mindy Marsden know if you will attend the dinner meeting on Tuesday, November 21st at Nick's Airport Inn. The meeting will begin with a social at 6:00 p.m. and reservations may be made by contacting Mindy at jim.mindy@myactv.net. Make your reservations by noon, Friday, November 17th. Dinner is $30 per person.
CALL FOR SPEAKER: The Hagerstown Torch Club is seeking a speaker for the May 21, 2024 meeting. Contact Larry Zaleski at larryzaleski@gmail.com if you would like to present.
2023-2024 DUES: Time to renew your membership. Yearly dues are $75 for an individual and $112.50 for family membership. Make your check payable to Hagerstown Torch Club and give to Jim Marsden at the November meeting or mail to Jim at 19570 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD 21742.
Club Officers
David Loy
Sheronda Brown
Sheronda Brown
President
Sheronda Brown
Sheronda Brown
Sheronda Brown
First Vice President
Mindy Marsden
Sheronda Brown
Mindy Marsden
Secretary.
Jim Marsden
Jim Marsden
Mindy Marsden
Treasurer
Open
Jim Marsden
Open
Assistant Treasurer
Papers and Publications
Defenders of the Alamo: Who Were They, and Why Did They Do It?
By: Michael E. Anderson
(Continued...)
Photo Gallery
Meetings are both social and learning events
Meetings are both social and learning events
Meetings are both social and learning events
Built around and evening dinner and presentation, meetings are a great way to socialize and meet new people.
October 2017
Meetings are both social and learning events
Meetings are both social and learning events
Ron Williams, graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, presents a paper entitled "All Men are Created Equal - Founding Myth or Fact."
Food for Thought
Meetings are both social and learning events
Topics vary widely
Dr. Mike Parsons presents 'Food-for-Thought.' Sometimes serious, sometimes not. meals are often started with a 5 minute segment featuring an icebreaker topic for enjoyment and discussion.
Topics vary widely
Topics vary widely
Topics vary widely
In his presentation "The U.S. Tuna-porpoise Program: Do Federal Environmental Programs Work"? Larry Zaleski provides an overview of the Tuna-porpoise program and its impact. Our presentations cover everything from current events, history and science to personal experiences and hobbies. Our goal is to entertain and provide new insight on a variety of topics for the enjoyment of members and guests.
November 2017
Topics vary widely
November 2017
Dr.'s Kelli and Al Strauss present a paper entitled "Two Marylanders Become Royalty on an African Safari" detailing their unexpectedly warm welcome while visiting a boy that they sponsor in Kenya, and their African wildlife experience. Presentations may include visuals or not as the presenter feels appropriate.