To Hermitage lawyer Michael Ristvey Jr., serving his community is a responsibility. That virtue is part of what got the 66-year-old chosen as one of this year's Buhl Day honorees.

Ristvey said he's flattered, but he just doesn't feel he "qualifies" for the honor.

"When you practice law, you generally get involved in organizations in the community, and it's payback to the community," he said.

Ristvey has practiced law for more than 35 years, and he said through his work, he's been able to do many fulfilling things in the community, including joining organizations and helping youth.

For Ristvey, helping kids is part of his mission and something he really enjoys.

"I think everybody has to give something back," the attorney said. "I feel very fortunate. I deal with people the way I want to be dealt with."

Ristvey's community service to youth began when he returned home from law school in 1965. Ristvey joined the Shenango Valley Jaycees, where he helped create a midget football league. He participated in the Junior Achievement program as a business counselor for fifth-graders.

"There's a bit of satisfaction giving back to the community," he said. "You give the kids a little different perspective than they might have otherwise."

He said the most important thing about his work with Junior Achievement was to "give kids an exposure so they get a better view of things."

Ristvey also worked with the Boy Scouts as a merit badge counselor. Since he said he doesn't hunt or fish, teaching kids about government, the Constitution and other civil subjects was the best way for him to contribute.

"I enjoyed working with kids on a different basis other than what they normally get in the Boy Scouts," he said.

For the past two years, Ristvey has been busy tracing his family tree, and it's taken him clear across the ocean to Tichy Potok, a tiny village in northeastern Slovakia.

Ristvey said about 15 families from the Shenango Valley can trace their lineage to the village of about 500 people.

Tichy Potok Mayor Lubica Dzuganova visited the valley a few years back. At a reception for her, Ristvey and other distant descendants of the village raised $2,200 for the village.

The mayor returned to Tichy Potok and bought a computer, which elementary school children use. It's housed in the "Hermitage room," and Ristvey was named an honorary citizen of the village, whose name means "quiet stream."

Ristvey said he's always had affection for Buhl Farm: It's where he proposed to his wife, Nancy.

"We both feel very strongly about Buhl Farm," he said. "We think it's a fantastic place."

"Buhl Farm is the jewel of the Shenango Valley," he said. "If you want to do something for your children or grandchildren, give something to Buhl Farm. That way, you know it'll always be there."

Ristvey has also been heavily involved with the construction, maintenance and acquisition of Camp Nazareth, a Diocesan youth camp in Mercer County. His commitment to his church, St. John's Carpatho-Russian Orthodox, was recognized by the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople when the position of Archon was bestowed upon him in 1992. It's the highest rank a layman can receive.

Ristvey has served on the church's board of trustees and as church attorney. He was elected to the board of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Diocese, serving as its attorney since 1985. He received the Mother of God award that same year.

But Ristvey doesn't feel his achievements have been any different from anyone else's. He also encourages other to get involved so that they can influence the next generation.

"I think it's a matter of priorities," he said. "There are people who are big hunters and fishermen. But do they take a kid fishing or teach a kid to hunt?

"These skills teach kids other things. Do something for these kids. They really need it."