Mercer Rotary Club presents service award

Photo

Sharing one of the special moments during an annual Mercer Rotary Club holiday party were, from left, Grace Anna Boggs, club vice president; Gail Habbyshaw, who was the recipient of the Dr. Bernard Hoyt Community Service Award; Walt Johnson, secretary; and Tom Jones, past president.

Staff report

MERCER, PA.

A highlight of Mercer Rotary Club’s annual Christmas party at 1866 Restaurant & Taproom, 8399 Sharon-Mercer Road, Mercer, was the presentation of the Dr. Bernard Hoyt Community Service Award.

The award is given annually to a community member who best exemplifies Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

This year, the award was presented to Gail Habbyshaw, who is known for her passion for and commitment to the town of Mercer and the surrounding community.

Habbyshaw always has been involved in projects that support the town library, historical society, Relay for Life events, band concerts, the One Room Schoolhouse and many other Mercer endeavors and organizations.

She has been the source of articles, news releases and photographs that have helped individuals learn about Mercer and to encourage them to patronize the events.

Habbyshaw has published several manuscripts and books.

One is a best-seller about Mercer County Historical Society titled “Follow the Drinking Gourd,” which describes Mercer’s historic connection to the Underground Railroad.

She has become a tremendous resource for the historical development of Mercer as a community from the early 1800s, and she has traced family names back to the initial settlers of Mercer.

Articles and writings by Habbyshaw have characterized her love of the area and have helped to draw attention to the town’s slogan, “Meet Me in Mercer.”

In recognition of her interest in the Mercer County Historical Society, the Mercer Rotary Club made a donation to that society in her name.