Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, July 8, 1993 TAG: 9307080177
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: GREG EDWARDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
The club celebrates its 30th anniversary Saturday, and it has planned an afternoon of events.
Ruritan is a community-service organization started in 1928 in Holland, Va., and has spread to more than 30 states. Its national headquarters are in Newbern in Pulaski County.
The club, which meets in the Belmont Community Center, has 26 members, including two who helped charter it in 1963 - Delmer Stanger and Harry E. Nolen.
The Belmont club is the second-oldest in Montgomery County. Other Montgomery clubs are in Christiansburg, McCoy, Mount Tabor, Pilot and Shawsville.
Boy Scout Troop 147 and Cub Pack 147 are sponsored by the Belmont. Nationally, one in every three clubs is a Scouting sponsor.
The club's other service work includes a scholarship to a Belmont community high-school senior, sponsorship of an essay contest and good citizenship award at Belview Elementary, raising money for the local rescue squad and fire department, and working with the 4-H and Future Farmers of America.
The club meets on third Thursdays. Its officers are Jack Gray, president; John Absher III, vice president; Jonathan Stanger, secretary; and Delmer Stanger, treasurer.
Saturday's activities kick off at 10 a.m. when the Scouts open a concession stand. Ruritan records and those of the Belmont Community Club, in whose building the Ruritan meets, will be on display.
"We want people to be able to look and see what we've done; and, also, we want to be able to look and see what we've done," Jonathan Stanger said.
The rest of the day includes free fingerprinting of children at noon; dedication of a U.S. flag given the club by the Modern Woodmen of America at 3; recognition of charter members and perfect attendance and remembrance of deceased members between 3:30 and 4.
A potluck dinner is at 5, with hot dogs and hamburgers furnished.
by CNB