Chamber selects 2015 Distinguished Service Award recipients
WAYNESBURG — The Waynesburg Area Chamber of Commerce has selected its 2015 Distinguished Service Award recipients.
Chosen for the individual award was retired Judge William Nalitz. The Waynesburg Moose Lodge and Family Center was selected as the organization winner and Donald K. Lindsay will be honored with a posthumous Distinguished Service Award.
The honorees will be recognized at the chamber’s annual membership meeting and banquet Sunday, Nov. 22 at Waynesburg University’s Benedum Dining Hall.
Each year, local residents are invited to make nominations for the awards which are based on lasting contributions to community welfare, participation in civic organizations, evidence of leadership ability, success in vocation, personal and/or business progress, and cooperation with other individuals and organizations. The award has no relation to work performed for the chamber.
Nalitz was elected judge in 1997, joining Judge H. Terry Grimes to make Greene a two-judge county for the first time. He was retained for a second term in 2007, becoming president judge in 2009 following Grimes’ retirement that year. In December 2014 Nalitz retired at the mandatory age of 70.
He has been an active member of the Waynesburg Lions Club for 40 years and is an active member of St. Ann Church in Waynesburg, the American Legion and the Greene County Farm Bureau. He also has taught classes through his membership in the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges.
Nalitz graduated from Seton-La Salle Catholic High School in 1962 and then attended Georgetown University. After earning his undergraduate degree, Nalitz served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Once home, Nalitz went to Duquesne University where he earned his law degree. Judge Nalitz is now retired but still enjoys doing Senior Judge Work and volunteering in the community.
Lindsay was a longtime resident of the Waynesburg community. He graduated in 1968 from Chartiers High School in Washington County and began working as a produce manager for Thorofare Supermarkets. He later worked as a journeyman machinist at Washington Mould and Foundry, and as a quality control manager for Dynamet Corp.
He also was owner and partner in T.L.C. Family Amusement Center in Waynesburg. In July 1992, he and his wife, Jeanette, bought the Waynesburg Milling Company from family members. He served in the Pennsylvania Air National Guard 112th Tactical Fighter Group and served as a Boy Scout leader during the formation of Troop 1280 in Waynesburg.
Lindsay was a member of First United Methodist Church in Waynesburg, serving as a trustee, treasurer of the trustees, and dartball coach for his church. He was also a member of Rices Landing Boat Club and a former member of Waynesburg Lions Club.
The Waynesburg Moose Lodge and Family Center, 140 S. Morgan St., Waynesburg, has played an active role in the community for the past 100 years.
Moose Lodge #461 supports three main causes, including Mooseheart, a community near Chicago where children live and learn, receive meals and are provided care they would not otherwise receive. Secondly, contributions are directed to Moosehaven, a retirement community in Orange Park, Fla., where members of the Loyal Order of the Moose and Women of the Moose reside on a 72-acre campus and are granted access to medical care and other amenities.
Last but not least, the Moose makes charitable contributions to local businesses, organizations and individuals. It hosts Mother’s Day and Father’s Day brunches, sponsors a Little League team, and partakes in countless projects on an annual basis, such as the donation of the Christmas tree displayed on the courthouse steps.
Moose Lodge #461 has approximately 1,200 male members and 400 Women of the Moose members, making it one of the largest lodge membership counts in its district. With this manpower, the members are able to participate in various community service projects, such as cleaning up an eight-mile stretch of Route 218 and building structures for local athletic teams and parks.