RENO, Pa. (EYT) — Lynn Johnson Cressman was named the Volunteer of the Year at Thursday’s 13th Annual Oil Region Alliance (ORA) Annual member meeting at Wanango Country Club.

Since the alliance bought the historic Tarbell House in Titusville 10 years ago, Cressman, (pictured above), has volunteered her time to the restoration and ongoing operation of it.

When Cressman began volunteering in 2007, she was still a full-time teacher and head of the English department at the Titusville High School. She escorted 11th-grade students to Tarbell House tours each November in connection with Ida Tarbell’s birthday.

After retiring in 2013, Cressman donated even more of her time to the Tarbell House and ORA, recruiting, training, and coaching volunteers. She has worked alongside the other volunteers to clean, cook, and garden at the Tarbell House.

She also serves as a host and guide at public and private teas at the history-rich home.

She was very honored to receive the award.

“Ida Tarbell and others worked harder than we can possibly imagine to make this a better place,” Cressman said.

“Volunteering is caring. To all of you, give the world something worthwhile to emulate.”

State Senator Scott Hutchinson spoke highly of Cressman’s efforts.

“We can have a successful region when people like you put their time and effort into such endeavors. You are an inspiration to all volunteers,” Hutchinson said.

According to wikipedia.com, Tarbell (November 5, 1857 – January 6, 1944) was an American teacher, author, and journalist. She was one of the leading “muckrakers” of the progressive era of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and is thought to have pioneered investigative journalism.

The Oil Region Alliance also named PennDOT District 1-0 Region Office Partner of the Year.

“Partnerships are what we do. We’re not the 800-pound gorilla, and everyone in this room is part of that partnership,” Phillips said.

Phillips reported on some of the accomplishments of ORA over the year:

– in the process of developing new marketing materials to promote the Middle Allegheny River (Warren to Emlenton), which was named the 2017 River of the Year

– helped Dollar General find two locations in the region.

– donated space for CareerLink to operate locally when Clarion’s office was closed earlier this year.

– worked with 4-H to promote its STEM programs.

The Alliance also acquired a brownfield site in Emlenton that is in the process of being cleaned up.

Phillips also spoke of continued efforts to promote tourism, to develop ATV trails, and to add amenities and winter activities to the region to help local businesses all year-round.

For more information about the Oil Region Alliance, go to oilregion.org or https://www.facebook.com/oilregionalliance/.