RAY SWANSON/KEYSTONER Mercer Hall of Fame welcomes first women as directors

Debbie Jenner and Barb Dzuricsko have been selected.
A little bit of history was created within the ranks of the Mercer County Hall of Fame a while back at a meeting of the organization at the Chestnut Street Cafe in downtown Sharon.
For the first time, two women were named to the board of directors: former Sharpsville High and Pitt University basketball great, Debbie Jones and former Hickory High standout athlete and current athletic director of Hickory High, Barb Dzuricskowho is also a member of the District 10 committee.
In addition, two men were named to the board: Ron Artman of Greenville, a longtime player and coach in the area; and Bob Greenburg, Hermitage, a former Hickory High athlete and long-time radio sports broadcaster.
The addition of these four outstanding sports personalities will add immensely to the capabilities of the Mercer County Hall of Fame. The new additions were included at this years banquet at the Radisson in West Middlesex.
Jim Tambert, Hermitage, is the present Mercer County Hall of Fame president. He took over the reins from former president, Don Bennett, who stepped down following an excellent reign.
The board totals 35 members, a full complement. After three months off for the summer vacation, the board will resume its regular meeting schedule in September. Preparations will be launched for the 58th anniversary banquet which will be held in January at The Radisson. The banquet draws close to 500 each year.
New arrival
Congratulations go out to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Bittler of Hermitage on the recent birth of their son Braden. Both Bruce and his wife, Paula, are teachers in the Hermitage School system. Bruce is on the basketball coaching staff. He is a former Hickory High and Slippery Rock University basketball standout. Talk about proud parents. Talk to the Bittlers. They're on Cloud 9.
Who's next?
Baseball buffs across the nation are looking in their crystal balls in an attempt to decipher just who will be next in line to enter the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.
No. Pete Rose is not one of them.
The big betters are putting their money on the Baltimore Orioles' Cal Ripken Jr., and San Diego's all-around great Tony Gwinn. Excellent choices and both will get my vote. The jury however, is still out on home-run belter, Mark McGwire.
The question is whether he used steroids to improve on his homer output. "Big Mac" was a long-time fan favorite and perhaps it is now time to find out just how much he was adored by the multitudes.
Who will make it to baseball's coveted hall? We could all be wrong and it could be a class that will really open the eyes. We will just have to wait and see.