RAY SWANSON | Keystoner Bennett succeeds Fortuna at top

Since 1983, Lou Fortuna has served as president of the Mercer County Hall of Fame. His reign has concluded.
At last month's meeting of the Board of Directors at Rudy's Restaurant in Grove City, Fortuna announced to the members that he was stepping down as head of the largest sports-oriented association in the county.
Don Bennett, a former principal, educator and basketball coach at Sharon High, was elevated into Fortuna's vacancy. Bennett had previously served as vice president of the association.
Officers: Serving with Bennett as officers are Nick Travaglini, 1st vice president; Jim Tamber, second vice president; Jim Raykie, treasurer; Lynn Saternow, recording secretary; and Tim Schell, corresponding secretary. The group heads up a 38-man board of directors.
"It was time for me to step down," Fortuna said. "During my years as president, I have been honored to work with a group of very distinguished gentlemen. Right now, though, my grandson is coming of age in athletics at Sharpsville and I would like to follow him more closely."
Bennett becomes the 12th president of the Mercer County Hall of Fame, which was initiated back in 1949 when Frank McConnon headed up the organization.
Others who followed were John "Hickory" Hetra, 1949-50; Dennis Sweeney, 1950-53; C.L. "Sunny" Arner, 1954, 1961-68; A.B. "Andy" Bobby, 1955-58; Andrew "Moonie" Zavada, 1959; William Leyson, 1960; Tom Burns, 1968-77; Len W. Krichko, 1978-83, and Fortuna, 1983-2001.
The Mercer County Hall of Fame Athletic Association is the successor organization to the Mercer County Old Timers Baseball and Athletic Association founded in 1947.
Large group: Since its inception, the Hall of Fame has inducted 374 athletic standouts.
During his tenure as president, Fortuna's success has been immeasurable. The association has grown by leaps and bounds and each year the banquet is a sell-out with close to 500 in attendance. Some of the top names in professional sports attend each year, many as featured speakers.
Golf scramble: The sixth annual Mercer County Hall of Fame 5-Man scramble will be held June 6 at Tam O'Shanter Golf Course in West Middlesex.
Entry fee is $250 per team or $50 per person, which includes 18 holes of golf, two carts per team, lunch, steak dinner and beverages.
Thirty-three teams competed in last year's event.
Checks should be sent to the Mercer County Hall of Fame, in care of Jim Tamber, 695 Christy Road, Hermitage, Pa. Entry fees are due by May 31.
Racing underway? Two local speed plants were scheduled to get underway last weekend, weather permitting. Sharon Speedway was slated to open Friday evening with racing in four divisions while Mercer Raceway Park was to launch Saturday night with racing in four divisions also.
Tri-City Speedway in Franklin opens April 22 with sprints, Dirt modifieds, e-mods and stock cars.