Apr 6, 2009 3 min read

The annual dinner of the Westmoreland-Fayette Council, Boy Scouts of America, has featured a broad range of speakers throughout the years – ranging from astronauts to legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. It’s Pitt’s turn this year as University of Pittsburgh football coach Dave Wannstedt will speak at the 25th Annual Scout Dinner on May 8 at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington. “We like to bring in people with high character,” said Martin Barbie, Westmoreland-Fayette Council executive. “We have had a lot of local sports icons because that’s whom people in this region love to listen to the most.”

“We were trying to get him since January,” said Kristen Eagle, Westmoreland-Fayette Council senior district executive. “Fortunately one of our board members, Vince Roskovensky, was able to get a hold of someone in the university and got a commitment only as of the past week.”

“We’re really excited to bring him in,” said Eagle. “Hopefully, a high-profile person like Wannstedt who appeals to Pitt and perhaps many other sports fans will want to come see him and also help us out as well.”

At a $160 a ticket, the event may seem a little costly, but as Barbie explained, the money will help Scouts across the county.

“The costs we help provide for each Scout is $125 which goes to use in terms of various things ranging from service centers to our two seven-day camps for the Scouts,” Barbie said. “Each year this particular fundraiser is our largest and we usually bring in $25,000, which all goes straight back to the kids.”

Though attendance was down last year, Barbie is hopeful about attendance at this year’s dinner.

“Really, we would like to see 200 in attendance,” said Barbie. “That’s what we had last year. We hope people will see that Scouting is important and that they will make an effort to attend. We’ve had a lot of people in the past and I think that is a result of the fact people know that Scouting builds character.”

The doors will open at 5:45 p.m. and guests will have an opportunity to speak with Wannstedt before a 6 p.m. cocktail hour. Dinner will be served at 7 p.m., followed by Wannstedt’s presentation.

Wannstedt, a 1974 Pitt graduate, has been the Panthers head coach since 2005. He led last year’s Panthers to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas.

Two local volunteers who have been a part of Scouting for 50 years will be honored at the dinner. They are Joseph Cindric of the Valley Sportsman Club Scout Troop 690 in Oliver and Genevieve Jarzynka of Scout Troop 654 in Masontown.

“Mr. Cindric is in his 90s and still is an active member and works with Scouts getting badges and other needed items,” said Eagle. “He still goes to meetings, which I think shows his commitment and dedication as he has been in Scouting all of his life.”

“Jarzynka is known as the craft lady,” said Eagle. “She can make a craft out of anything from toilet paper rolls to probably toilet paper itself. She is a wonderful example of someone who has worked long and faithfully to the Boy Scout cause.”

For more information regarding tickets, call 724-837-1630. Tables also are available for $1,280.