Plans have been finalized for the 67th Annual Banquet of the Panther Valley Irish-American Association, continuing a tradition that started back in 1948 when the organization was formed.

As it is traditionally, the event will be held on St. Patrick's Day, Monday, March 17, in the Grand Ballroom of Kelly's Irish Pub and restaurant, Lansford, where Robert "Bobby" O'Gurek, of Summit Hill, will be the guest of honor. He will receive the Shamrock Award from PVIAA president Ben Walker of Nesquehoning, who incidentally is the grandson of the late Capt. Frank Cannon, who received the Shamrock Award 45 years ago in 1969.The keynote speaker for the dinner program will be Carbon County Commissioner William J. O'Gurek of Summit Hill, who is an uncle to the 33-year-old O'Gurek, who Walker said has been declared "Irishman of the Year because he has faced adversity through his life with a determination that is truly inspiring."The honoree, afflicted with Cerebral Palsy since birth, has been a familiar face throughout the Panther Valley through his young adulthood. Despite his illness, he is a high school and college graduate, and a local business owner.Commissioner O'Gurek is currently serving his 11th year as a member of the board of commissioners, having been its chairman from 2004-2011. Prior to being elected to the commissioner's office in 2003, he served for 10 years as the Carbon County Prothonotary, from 1994-2003; and before that was mayor of Summit Hill, also for a 10-year period.A lifelong resident of Summit Hill, he is married to the former Siobhan O'Donnell. The couple has two children, Billy, an auditor for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania who, incidentally, will be the master of ceremonies for the banquet, and Erin, R.N., wife of Steve Bariexca. They reside in Philadelphia with their son, Jack Robert.Entertainment for the evening will be provided by guitarists Colin Jones and Jason Kuhla, featuring soloist Kerri (Jones) Uher.While the evening presents the association with the opportunity to recognize yet another person in the rich and steeped Irish ancestry throughout the Panther Valley, it also keeps a tradition alive that began over six decades ago. Moreover, Walker pointed out, "We (association members) are looking forward to celebrating St. Patrick's Day and paying tribute to our Irish ancestry. Proceeds from the banquet allow us to continue our practice of giving to the community. As a benevolent association, we direct most of our charitable donations to local people in need."That practice started in 1996 on the anniversary of the great famine of Ireland, known as "Great Hunger," said Bob Crampsie, longtime PVIAA member. He explained that during the great famine, many of the Irish left Ireland for the United States."Someone had to help them until they could get on their feet," Crampsie said, adding, "So on the 150th anniversary of that event, we started a practice of following that lead and began giving to local charities.The donations through the years focused on monetary contributions to food banks in the Panther Valley-Tamaqua areas. Other donations were made to the American Cancer Society, The Salvation Army, the St. Vincent de Paul Societies of Lansford and Tamaqua and Carbon County Special Olympics.Bob Ames, PVIAA treasurer, said the association has contributed around $2,000 per year over the last 10 years to the charities.Tickets to the dinner are still available and can be obtained from the following association members: Summit Hill, Bob Crampsie and Billy O'Gurek; Lansford, Emmett McCall; Coaldale, Robert Ames and Tim Hoben; and Tamaqua, Tom McCarroll and John Tracy.