Collettsville Ruritan Club

10/08/2026

For our October meeting President Reuben welcomed Sara Rivers, who presented a program on Native Plants. Sara discussed the decline of native pollinators and the importance of native plants in supporting them and birds. Sara also recommended starting native plants from seed in December or January, and mentioned sun-loving perennials such as Mountain Mint. Free plants were available after the meeting.

Items from our business meeting:
- Thursday the 8th is Last Bingo for the Season. Help is needed + desserts. 5:45 to help.
- Blood Drive is the 22nd. Sign up to give blood. Help us reach our goal of 25.
Also need $10 Gift Cards for the Youth Club members who get folks to the Blood Drive.
- New Rules for renting the building – we will vote on rules next meeting. Please attend.
- Building interior will be painted. Planning to complete in October.
- Club project to get Christmas gifts for nursing home residents. List distributed next meeting – be sure to attend.
- Renaming of the park to Collettsville Park or Collettsville Ruritan Park. Will be discussed and voted on next meeting. Another reason to attend.
- Principal Amy gave school update on Fall Festival, Family Night and a student February trip to Charleston.
- Kasey and Brandy gave Youth Club update about new members this year. They have club officers and are planning projects for the year.
- The club welcomed new members Jamie & Tanya Bowman. Congrats to them!

See you at Bingo, the Blood Drive and our November meeting.

10/07/2026

Bingo this Thursday @ 6:30pm. The Last Bingo of the Season. Help is needed. If you can assist with the food, please arrive at 5:45. Desserts are needed. Thanks!

09/20/2026

Did you know that only 3 out of 100 healthy people donate blood?
Did you know that every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion? You can help!
Join us for our upcoming blood drive on October 22, from 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the Ruritan Club House.
Your donation could save the life of a friend, a neighbor, someone you love—or even your own.
Those who come to give blood Oct. 19-Nov. 22, 2026, will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card** by email* PLUS earn 200 bonus points toward Blood Donor Rewards. Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/Maze.

09/05/2026

Our September meeting was a full house. President Reuben welcomed our past District Governor, Leslie Gentry, as our program. Leslie, involved with District Training, gave us the history of Ruritan, which began in 1928 in Virginia. Our Zone Governor, Karla Laws, was also present.

We received a school update by Principal Amy Brawley, and updates from Kasey Gragg and Brandy Story about the Ruritan Youth Club.

Patsy announced grant money coming from Samaritan’s Purse – $130,000 to help build the park playground. The connection with Samaritan’s Purse was made possible by Joe & Tonia Watson.

Reuben announced new members Bob & Mary Rombs, and gave Ron Vance the Gold Key Award.
Finally, Reuben announced Ruritan Forever award presented to Allen Tolbert. Congrats to All!

Other news:
- Nominating Committee announced 2027 Officers:
Reuben, Pres; Anita Pinson, VP; Patsy, Sec; Kim Vance, Treas
New Board members: Melvin Chandler, 1 yr; John Rader, 2 yr; Ron Vance, 3 yr
- Bingo Thursday Sept 10 @6:30. Can use volunteers at 6pm, as well desserts.
- Blood Drive is Oct 22. Sign up and Give the Gift of Life.
- District Convention is Nov 7 in Mt. Grove.
- Collettsville Ruritan is 10th in the country for growth.

Photos:
Leslie, Carla, Patsy, Joe/Tonia, Bob/Mary, Ron/Reuben, Allen/Reuben

09/05/2026

The Club’s August meeting honored Mary Lou Vance with the Ruritan Forever award. Mary Lou is pictured with President Reuben and with her family. Congratulations to Mary Lou for all the years of service to Ruritan!
Scholarship recipients this year are Addison Woods, Zoe McElyea, Cassie Good and Madden Triplett.
Addison, Zoe and Cassie are pictured with Reuben. Congrats to all the recipients. Good luck this year!

08/25/2026

From Allison at Second Harvest Food Bank:
I hope you had a wonderful summer! We will be at Hard and Flossie Park in Collettsville for a food distribution this Friday, 8/28 starting at noon.
We will have enough produce, meat, and eggs for the first 60 households.
The only information we ask is how many total in the household, how many 0-18, and how many 60+ .

Please share within your community; individuals are strongly encouraged to pick up for others!

08/12/2026

Bingo this Thursday @ 6:30pm. Help is needed. If you can assist with the food, please text Patsy - 828-446-7506.
Come on out and have some fun!

07/12/2026

President Reuben kicked off the July picnic meeting. He thanked the July 4th committee for our 250 Celebration. It was a wonderful event (in spite of the heat).
Our program was Paige Counts, Public Information Officer at Caldwell County. Paige announced a $100,000 state grant for repair of our Hard and Flossie Clark Family Park. Thanks to our state representative Senator Ralph Hise.
Paige described a recent history display at the county office building. She then asked for volunteers to play a game. The 3 teams had to answer trivia questions about the surrounding area, with answers such as The Globe and 1841.
Our August meeting will have our scholarship winners. And we welcomed new members Mike and Karen Whipple. Congrats to them!
Photos include the July 4th committee--Vickie Miller, Kirsti Shatley, Ron Vance & Loryn Rader; Paige and her trivia players; and Mike & Karen.

07/09/2026

Reminder: Collettsville Ruritan Club Bingo is tonight @6:30. Come early and volunteer. Or come to play.

07/05/2026