St. Marys, PA — The St. Marys Sportsmen Volunteers proudly celebrated their 90th anniversary with a Recognition and Awards Banquet held at Gunner’s Restaurant in downtown St. Marys on May 10, 2025. The event honored nearly a century of conservation leadership, outdoor education, and dedicated volunteer service that has helped shape the outdoor legacy of Elk County.

Bill Simbeck, Vice-President of the Sportsmen Club, welcomed attendees and reflected on the founding of the organization in 1935. He spoke of the original members’ vision to promote responsible hunting, protect natural habitats, and build a lasting community around a shared love of the outdoors.

As part of the evening’s program, Joe Dippold, member of the Board of Directors, recognized longtime volunteers for their exceptional commitment. Honorees celebrating 50 years of service included Sportsmen Club President Kris Dippold, along with Club Directors Jim Dippold, Fred Fritz, and Phil Labant. Recognized for 25 years of service were Secretary Joe Hoffman and Director Dan Caskey, as well as Treasurer Jerry Goetz.

“These individuals represent the very best of what our organization stands for,” said Joe Dippold during the presentation. “Their decades of dedication have helped preserve the mission and values of the St. Marys Sportsmen for generations to come.”

The evening featured a catered dinner, fellowship, and reflections from members across the decades. Guests also enjoyed a look back at the organization’s legacy and ongoing efforts to support youth programming, habitat preservation, and outdoor education in the region.

The St. Marys Sportsmen Club is located at 1339 Glen Hazel Road and continues to be a hub for outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. To learn more about the club or to become a member, visit www.stmaryssportsmen.org. Looking ahead,  in 2025: Kid Fishing at the Club pond May 18, 2025, the annual Youth Field Day on September 20, 2025, and the always-popular Gun Drawing on September 21, 2025.