Shown above is Beverly Tanner (right) representing Ruritan National as she presents the 50th Anniversary Certificate to the Montgomery Ruritan Club on this past Saturday Night at the Montgomery Ruritan Community Building. Accepting the Certificate is (Left To Right) Elmer Lee Graber President of the Montgomery Ruritan Club, and members who signed the original charter 50 years ago, Chris O’Brian, Joe Traylor, Jim OBrian and representing Bernie Duncheon was his son Tony Duncheon. Also assisting in the presentation for National Ruritan was Jim Zehr who was not in this picture. The Ruritan Club held their Annual Turkey Trot Appreciation Dinner in conjunction with this 50th Anniversary Dinner and a large group of members and past Presidents returned for this special event.

Fifty Years of Service to the Community

The Montgomery Ruritan Club used the occasion of its annual Turkey Trot and Club Appreciation Night to mark its 50th chartering anniversary year by recognizing and honoring the 50 men who have served as club president. Elmer Lee Graber, present club president, served as master of ceremonies. A special power point presentation by Louis Kavanaugh Jr., a former club president, highlighted the early years of club history focusing on club progress through the years that included the first club fund raiser in 1961 in Dages Grove, the building of the Park and Campgrounds that opened in 1967, Indian Rock Lake Beach, Summer Festivals and Fall Festivals, the Turkey Trot Festival beginnings in 1972, the construction of the Ruritan Community Building in 1977 and an assortment of happenings along the way. The program attended by more than 125 community patrons concluded with a group picture taking of all past Ruritan Club President and all past Turkey Trot Festival Chairmen.

Ruritan Club Presidents and the year of serving: Front Row L to R: Chris O’Brian 1969, Bob Miller 2007, Lee Kavanaugh 2006, P.J. Craney 1992, Gary Graber 1980, Jack Graber 1991, Paul Miller 1977, Glen Spaulding 1994, Tony Showalter 1990, P.V. Steiner 1981, John H. Wagler 2008, Curt Miller 2011. Second row L to R: Charles Albert Kavanaugh 1975, Scott Nally 2002, Deron Steiner 2000, Lowell Graber 2009, Elmer Lee Graber 2010, Mike Healy 1989, Pat Schitter 1996, Grant Olds 2003, Tom Kane 2001, Jim O’Brian 1973, Louis Kavanaugh 2005, Dennis Hart 2004, George Nolan 1976, Jack Craney 1979. Back row L to R: Alvis Graber 1995, Hank Wittmer 1974, Jim Truelove 1983, Tony Duncheon 1998, Ed Theroff 1978, Bob Showalter 1968, Joe Traylor 1965.

Those past presidents unable to attend: Tom Jones 1963, Bob Elliott 1972, Jim Traylor 1985, Russ Titzer 1986, Mike Anderson 1997, Darrell Eaton 1984, Joe Wuertz 1993, Galen Graber 1988, Mike Steiner 1999.

Former presidents who are deceased include: Joe Arvin 1961, Harold Perkins 1962, Charles Steiner 1964, Charles Hart 1966, James Nolley 1967, Clyde Schnarr 1970, Ralph Dages 1971, Jack Craney 1979, John Hart Sr. 1982, Donald Craney 1987, Jack Graber 1991, Joe Wuertz 1993, Grant Olds 2003, Lee Kavanaugh 2006, Lowell Graber 2009.

Those who have served as Ruritan Club President since this photo was taken include: Brad Traylor 2012, Tim Showalter 2013, Gary Hart 2014, Kraig Knepp 2015, Dave Graber 2016 and Tyson Wagler 2017, and Steart Blake 2018.