With the assistance of 27 volunteers, 36 businesses and organizations, and the cooperation of Mother Nature, the 4th annual H. Ray Wertz Memorial Ride to Read Bike Tour held September 27, 2003, was another winner. 101 riders participated, ranging in age from 5 to 72, visiting from as far away as Chambersburg, York, Elizabethtown, Philadelphia and even Maryland, New Jersey and Virginia. Sponsorship money, bike tour registrations, and T-shirt sponsors together raised $5,652 for the benefit of the library, making it the best year yet.
So who was H. Ray Wertz? He was an incredible man who dedicated his life to helping others, starting with Boy Scouting as a youngster and never letting up until his death in 1998 at the age of 77. Many, many areas of Newport were touched through the years by Ray’s helping hands, but he seemed to have a few extra-special interests. One of them was the Newport Public Library. Ray spent countless hours volunteering at the library beginning in 1988, when its new building was erected. Almost daily he rode his bicycle there, propped it in the bicycle rack he had installed, and went inside to ask what chores or errands needed to be done. After taking care of what needed doing that day, off he’d go on his bike. Marjorie McKensie, Library Director, says, “After Ray was no longer around, it took 3 new volunteers to take his place, and even now we still miss him.” Usage of the library by the community has grown tremendously in the last 15 years, and the library’s offerings have increased to keep up with the demand. Bestsellers, audiobooks on tape and CD, videos, computers with Internet access, Preschool Storytime, The Summer Reading Club-all are heavily used and greatly appreciated, but getting the ongoing funding to support them continues to be a challenge. Private donations and successful fundraisers are needed as much today as they were in 1914 when the first public library began loaning out books in a room in the old Fourth Street school building.
With all of this in mind, along with her fondness for Ray Wertz and his efforts, and her appreciation for the library, Newport native Heidi Koch, Bike Tour Coordinator, headed up the first Ride to Read fundraiser in 2000 with 8 riders: Heidi herself plus Karen Pelton, Marty Bonn, David Clay, Brian Kain, Betty Lou Rapp, Dwaine Lesher and Donn Putt. Proceeds for that first year were $2,639, with $1000 of the total raised by Heidi alone. The first six riders listed, plus Scott Sanderson, Bobbi Wertz-Hoy, Shari Mattern, and Marjorie McKensie, comprised the 2003 Ride to Read Bike Tour Committee. Since that first ride the course has grown to offer 25K, 50K and 100K rides, and a 5K Family Fun Ride, so almost anyone who would like to participate can do so. Some riders have requested that a “Century Ride”, which is a 100-mile course, be added next year. That may well be the new feature in celebration of the 5th Ride to Read Bike Tour. Bobbi Wertz-Hoy, committee member (and daughter of Ray Wertz), says of the tour, “This event is only the success that it is because of all the loyal riders and generous businesses and volunteers for which the library and our committee are so very grateful.” The First National Bank of Newport has generously contributed for all 4 years of the Tour and has been the premiere sponsor of the T-shirts given out to the first 100 registered riders. The nine additional T-shirt sponsors in 2003 included Dr. Kevin P. Koch, Marty A. Bonn Co., The Civic Club of Newport, Moore Insurance Offices, Newport Lions Club, H.F. Campbell & Son/Camel Express, Saturn of Harrisburg, Reba D. Pace/Jack Gaughen Realtor ERA, and Stephen F. Peters, Inc.. Bob Kain, Newport native and CFO of Sutliff Saturn, Inc., also provided a SAG (support and gear) car (and personally drove it), a rest stop tent, and giveaways for the riders. All the food for the free lunch and the refreshments for the 3 rest stops were donated out of kindness by over a dozen businesses, restaurants and grocery stores. In fact, as well as the great course rides, this Bike Tour is becoming known for serving Your Place strombolis, as well as yummy treats made by Miller’s Bread Basket, S&S Baked Goods, and Sweet Dreams by Leslie. Sante DeMichiel of Harrisburg, a 3-time rider, sent an appreciative note afterward saying, “Another banner year! Perfect says it all - the rest stop staff, the lunch crew, the course, the whoopee pies….”
Each of the 4 years has shown a sizable increase in participation,because the bikers like what they see. State Representative Allan Egolf has ridden for the past 3 years, and brings more friends each time because he says he enjoys the scenic ride through western Perry County, and because he feels it is for a worthy cause. Heidi Koch, tour coordinator, says, “It thrills me to see the number of return riders that we have. It’s a good feeling to know that people appreciate what our tour has to offer.” In fact, Heidi’s 10 year-old son, Luke, says, “Our tour rocks!”