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| Mary Jane Wertz and Bobbi Wertz-Hoy |
Saturday, September 29, 2001 at Little Buffalo State Park, Newport PA
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| Mary Jane Wertz and Bobbi Wertz-Hoy |
Many people contribute to their community in one way or another, but few do so to such an extent that an entire event is initiated and named in their memory. But then few people give as much of themselves as Ray Wertz did, and few are as fondly remembered by so many people as he is.
Wertz, a Newport native who died in 1998, was a strong believer in giving back to your town through community service and he urged others to do the same. The Newport Public Library, The Newport Recycling Program, The Newport Borough Council, The Newport Lions Club, the town's Annual Blood Drive (now known as The H. Ray Wertz Memorial Blood Drive), The Newport Elementary School, the Newport playground and tennis courts, Meals on Wheels, RSVP-all of these organizations and projects, as well as individuals needing a sidewalk shoveled or a yard mowed, were included in the reach of Ray's giving heart and busy hands.
Last year, inspired by Ray's community service work, Heidi Koch, an Oliver Township resident, initiated the 1st Annual H. Ray Wertz Memorial Ride to Read Bike Tour. A team of 8 riders, all bike tour veterans, committed to riding from Newport to Blain and back (a 100K or 62.14 mile trek), and solicited sponsors for their rides, with proceeds going to benefit The Newport Public Library. A total of $2722 was raised, with over $1000 of the money coming from Heidi's sponsors.
Koch, an avid bicyclist, credits her riding habit to the encouragement of Ray. Although Ray was mostly an "around town" biker who rode the streets doing errands and visiting with the people he met along the way, he offered Heidi the support and guidance she needed to begin her own biking career, which today includes participation in numerous bike tours around the state. For Koch, starting the first bike tour event in Perry County, with proceeds going to benefit an organization to which Ray was so devoted, was the perfect tribute to the principle of community service that Ray promoted.
This year's event, held on September 29th, and beginning at Little Buffalo State Park, invited all bikers to join in the fun and offered 25K, 50K, and 100K routes that headed out into the western end of the county, as well as an afternoon Family Fun Ride. Over 30 riders, including some from other counties, participated in the morning bike tours, with an impressive $4274 going to the Newport Public Library as a result.
The money came at a particularly needy time for the library, according to Newport Librarian, Marjorie McKensie. Thousands of additional dollars in state aid funds were lost this year when The Perry County Library System had to be disbanded because county government refused to contribute an adequate share of funding for the financial support of the county's four public libraries. Currently, 54% of the county population is now considered by the state to be "legally unserved" and is subject to the charging of user fees at those libraries that choose to do so.
"We have had many 'library heroes' over the years," said McKensie. "Ray Wertz, Mary Landis, Mary Kurkowski, Nelle Buffenmyer, Dick Clouser, Bill Sanford, Phil and Charles Bosserman, to name a few-and now, Heidi. I know that Ray would be extremely proud that Heidi has carried on service to the library in his name."
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| Ray Wertz, taken November 1988 | Heidi Koch |
Wertz served on the building committee for the library when the new building at 316 North Fourth Street was being planned and constructed prior to its opening on November 29th of 1988. He spent countless hours helping to supervise both the initial construction and the ongoing maintenance of the building.
McKensie recalls how Ray would park his bike at the bike rack out front (which he had installed himself), and stop in to ask "How's it going, kiddo?" Raking, weeding, mowing, snow shoveling, recycling pickup and trash removal were among Ray's self-appointed volunteer duties, as were bank deposits and minor repairs. In addition, Ray, together with Jim McGowan, donated time and materials towards the completion of the library's smaller conference room in 1992, thereby saving the library hundreds of dollars.
"In those early years of the new building, when finances were especially tight, Ray's assistance was truly invaluable," said McKensie, Librarian since June of 1990. "I miss Ray, but wherever I look in the library I see signs of his contributions to the growth of the library, so in a way he is still here with us. It really illustrates what a difference the dedicated efforts of one person can make in the success of a small, non-profit organization."
The dedicated efforts of Heidi Koch have also made a difference for the library, but Koch is quick to point out that she had a lot of help with the Ride to Read fundraiser. Combining the joys of bicycle riding with the rewards of supporting the local library was definitely her idea, but a well-run, organized bike tour like the one held this fall takes many people to bring it all together.
"The committee started meeting last January at Marty Bonn's office," said Koch, "and we met every month after that. You need that much time to make sure you have all your bases covered." Committee members included Koch, Marty Bonn, Betty Lou Rapp, Karen Pelton, Brian Kain, Dave Clay, Dale Clay, Dwaine Lesher, Scott Sanderson (all riders in last year's bike tour) and library board member, Shari Mattern.
Different bike tours offer different perks, but the H. Ray Wertz Memorial Bike Tour offered them all this year, declared Koch, and all participants reported that they were very pleased with the event. Rest stops, snacks (including the popular whoopee pies), SAG (support and gear) wagons, roadside repairs, beautiful scenery, and a free lunch were all included in the $20 registration fee (the fee was waived if at least $100 in sponsorships was raised).
In addition, Ray Wertz's daughter, Bobbi Wertz-Hoy, and her husband, John, provided souvenir key chains, complete with rider's photos, with the aid of their laptop computer and digital camera. Following her father's example of service, Bobbi has been actively involved with The Altrusa Club of Harrisburg for years, and, along with club members helped to provide some of the supplies for the event. Wertz's younger daughter, Mary Jane Wertz, rode the 25K, and lent a hand at the event along with Ray's widow, Jane Wertz.
A free, long-sleeve Ride to Read T-shirt was also given to participants and volunteers. Extra shirts in sizes XL and XXL are now available at the library at the cost of $7 each or 2 for $10. Businesses and organizations who sponsored the cost of the shirts were The First National Bank of Newport, Marty A. Bonn Co., Dr. Kevin P. Koch, Newport Health & Fitness, H.F. Campbell & Son/Camel Express, Moore Insurance Offices, Stephen F. Peters, Inc., Newport Lions Club, and Newport Owls Club.
Other contributors to the event were Shenk Athletic, Miller's Bread Basket, Sharar's Grocery, Pedal Pushers, Giant Food Stores, Weis Markets, Butcher's Farm Market, Holsum Butterkrust Bakery, United Water, Miller Springs Natural Things, Kirk's Floral Design, Altrusa International Inc. of Harrisburg, Dame Media, Vermont Mill, National Soap Distributors, and Salon 2020 of Camp Hill. Special thanks are owed to Little Buffalo State Park and The Friends of NPL, Walnut Grove United Methodist Church and Pleasant Valley Brethren in Christ (for providing rest stop areas), and all of the volunteers on the day of the event.
If you would like to make a donation to this year's event, or volunteer to help plan next year's event, you may contact the library.