Opinion

Devon Ruritan celebrates 40 years

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Submitted to

The Tribune

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The Devon Ruritan Club celebrated its 40th anniversary on April 13, at the Devon Community Center.

Forty years ago, Elmo Heckman approached Bill Cowan about forming a Ruritan Club. After Bill talked to several other men in the community, the decision was made to meet and form the club.

There were 22 charter members, of which three were in attendance for this special night. They were Bill Cowan, Don Fetterly and Terry Hubenett. The other original charter members were Alfred Farmer, Howard Cash, Richard Harper, Devon Lawrence, Roy Cochran, Richard Mix, Frank Sipe, Kenneth Grubb, Patrick Sheehy, Ward Norton, Johnnie Walker, Don Leslie, Robert Mumbower, Alton Killion, Marion George, Raymond Tourtillott, Carl Tuggle, F.A. Wells and D.A. Perry.

The evening started with the 2010 President, Josh Pryor, welcoming everyone. The song "America" was performed and prayer was given by Ed Henderson. He is the National Representative to Ruritan National for the Middle America District.

A delicious chicken and noodle dinner and anniversary cake was served by the Devon Methodist Ladies.

After the meeting, several gave short speeches starting with Bill Cowan, the first president of the Devon Ruritan Club. The club's original project was to start a fire department in town. The members put a lot of hard work into this project and the fire department is still a vital part of the community. The club also sponsored a ball club here in Devon until lack of players forced the ball club to disban. There was a church where the community center now stands and when the church burned, the insurance money was used to help build the community center. The bell from the old church still stands on the site where the church once stood.

Don Fetterly, another original member, spoke of the same thing as Bill, and also said square dances used to be held in the community center. Don also held the position of secretary for 27 years, which is quite an accomplishment.

Before the annual Devon days event held each year on Memorial Day, the town used to have a town-wide clean up and dumpsters were furnished. This was the idea of Dorothy Franz to get the town all cleaned up and looking good for the Memorial Day event.

Ed Henderson presented Josh Pryor with the 40th anniversary certificate. Ed Carstedt, our current District Governor for the district, complimented the club on our 40 years and congratulated this years club officers on stepping up and keeping the club alive for another year. Jim Kimball, our current Lt. Governor, thanked Josh and Shaune Campbell for being District officers this year as well and welcomed our new member, Trent Cummins, to the club.

All original members are also invited to be co-grand marshals in the Devon Days parade to be held Memorial day. The meeting closed with the pledge of allegiance.

-- Submitted by

Cindy Lashley

secretary/treasurer of the Devon Ruritan Club