Mindy Davison of the Summer Speaker Series Committee welcomed the audience to the Memorial Auditorium and thanked the sponsors of the Summer Speaker Series: Chesapeake Energy, 1110 West Main Street; Troy Rotary, Bradford County Regional Arts Council, Morse's Orchard, First Citizens Community Bank, and Anthony's Bar & Grill. She also thanked the other committee members, Sam Antes, Haley Fitzwater, Matt Geer, Linda Nickerson, Pat Rogers, Garry Zuber.
He said that the committee hopes to hold annual events to honor people within the community such as the four being recognized tonight.
He explained that while in high school, his goal was to attend Penn State University. While he was at Penn State Altoona he enrolled in a "Leadership for Life" program, which was designed to get college students involved in their community. "I know the program worked," he told the audience, "because here I am!"
He gave a brief talk on community involvement. He said people offer several excuses as to why they won't get involved, such as "I don't have the time," which Mr. Antes challenged by saying, "There are so many ways you can be involved without committing your life to something." Another excuse is, "I'll do it when I'm older," but, he countered, "We are always getting older. What's wrong with doing it now?" Another excuse is "It's impossible,
but then he told the story of a fan at a Cleveland Indians game who caught four foul balls in one night at the same seat. "The odds may be one in a trillion," Mr. Antes said, but it wasn't impossible.
He noted that people don't have to work on a committee to be involved. "shopping in your community, attending concerts and community events are ways to be involved."
He asked the audience, "What are you passionate about?" and then listed his four keys to success, based on Basketball Hall-Of-Famer John Wooden's "Pyramid of Success." "Passion, Enthusiasm, Loyalty and Love."
He encouraged people who have ideas to "reach out to other people and make connections. Someone else will like your idea and be receptive to it.." He also pointed out the importance of working with others: "If you want to hit a grand slam, there have to be three runners on base."
"If we approach our community with a sense of caring for people, our community will grow. People loving people is the simplest answer." He said all four of tonight's honorees love their community. "There are so many good people in this community, so many doing great things. You [honorees] all have chosen to live your lives here, and I say "Bravo!" to you."
Robert Storch Robert Storch, born in 1943, lived in LeRoy until the age of five when his parents, Myles and Geraldine, bought the farm on Porter Road in Troy. He graduated from Troy High School in 1961 and attended Penn State University. Robert was part of the Dairy Judging Team for PSU and in his senior year, the team won the National Dairy Judging Championships. Graduating in 1965 with a degree in Ag Economics, he started dairy farming with his father. After a few years, his father retired and Robert took over the dairy operations. With the purchase of additional surrounding farms and a significant barn addition, Robert expanded the dairy to a milking herd of over 100 registered Holsteins. Robert served on the Board of First National Bank of Canton for several years, and the Chemung Canal Trust Company Board. He also served on the Board of the Regional Cooperative Marketing Agency (dairy marketing organization). Active in the community, Robert has served on the Board of the Bradford-Sullivan Forest Landowners Association, Alparon Park Association, Troy Fair, Bradford/Sullivan Farm Bureau, and Leroy Heritage Museum In his time as President of the Alparon Park Association Board, the dairy show barn was designed and erected; he was instrumental with the fundraising and construction. Robert also has been active in state and local politics. He continues his close ties to his Alma Mater as a charter member of the Arnsby Society (group of honored College of Agriculture alumni) and has served several terms on the College of Agriculture Alumni board. He is still very active with the Pasto Agricultural Museum, the PSU Agriculture Museum. Robert and his wife, Susan, have four children: Rob, Jonathan, Jenny, and Maggie and are blessed with six grandchildren. Robert has been a member of Troy Rotary since 1968, making him our longest standing member with 47 years of service to Rotary and his community. | Scott Cummings Scott Cummings shows tremendous business leadership as President of Cummings Lumber Company, employing over 100 local workers. Along with giving 100% at the mill, Scott also gives 100% to his community. He has been a member of the Troy Fire Department since 1996 acting as Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief, and Director. He is the 1997 Dan Paris Memorial Award winner and the Firefighter of the Year in both 2005 and 2014. It is rare that Scott has a night off as he serves and has served on many local advisory boards including Guthrie Federal Credit Union, Alparon Park, Pennsylvania Forest Products Association and the Hardwood Manufacturer's Association. But it is as a Troy Lion that he has been able to directly affect the community through the generosity of his time and energy. Since he joined the club in 2006 he has been tail twister, director, vice president, president, and now past president. He heads up the Adopt-a-Highway program maintaining Rt. 6 from East Troy to West Burlington. He also co-chairs the annual Golf Tournament and is active on the concessions, Christmas Baskets, membership and Walkway Committees. Scott has helped to shape the Troy Lions into the great organization it is today with his endless energy,ideas, and leadership. | Marshall "Bud" Kennedy Bud was born in Troy in 1926 and at 89 years of age is our eldest Rotarian. He was one of 10 children born into a blacksmith's family. Bud graduated from Troy High School in 1944 then joined the United States Army and was trained as a WWII pilot. After leaving the service, he operated a gas station, worked in a butcher shop, and sold Fuller Brushes door to door before entering Mansfield State College where he earned his well deserved BS degree. For several years Bud ran a Nationwide Insurance business until his retirement. Bud had always been active in community service. He has been an American Legion member for over 70 years; has been both a Lion and Rotarian. He became a Rotarian in 1970, served as president in 1976 and remained in Troy Rotary for 27 years. After moving to Horseheads, NY, he remained a Rotarian for another 18 years, where he served as president in 2011. To this date he has been a Rotarian for a total of 45 years. Bud has been involved in the Rotary Youth Exchange for many years. Even though he is technically no longer a member of Troy Rotary, he attended meetings faithfully and wears his badge proudly which identifies him accurately as "Racounteur" - defined as a good storyteller. | Gerald "Jerry" Allen Gerald "Jerry" Allen, a member of Rotary for 38 years, graduated from Troy High School in 1961. After serving his country in the United States Navy, Jerry attended Rochester Institute of Technology, graduating in 1969 with a degree in accounting. He went on to open an office in Troy, working as a CPA for many years before retiring in 2003. Jerry joined the Rotary in 1977 and served as the president of the Rotary Club in 1981. He has earned the Paul Harris Award and has contributed much time to the Heritage Festival, the annual Armchair Races,and ushering at the annual Troy Fair concerts. |