East Orange Ruritanscelebrate 70th anniversary

By By Gracie Hart Staff Writer
Published: March 11, 2010

The East Orange Ruritan Club celebrated its 70th anniversary Monday night. The club, chartered in 1940 has grown from 25 charter members in 1940 to 55 members currently, 16 of which are youth.
The club promotes fellowship and goodwill among its members of the community and works to make the community a better place in which to live. Contributions include scholarships to high school students, donations to the American Red Cross and supporting various local organizations. In order to meet giving goals, the club has been hosted hundreds of fundraisers throughout the years including selling drinks at a donkey ball game in 1952, selling brooms in 1957, hosting an annual oyster sale from 1961 to 1983, and starting the very popular club yard sales in 1983.
To celebrate the anniversary, the Orange County Board of Supervisors signed a proclamation honoring the club for its "outstanding record of service to the community."
Club president Perry Marshman spoke to club members about the anniversary Monday night.
"You make a difference," he said. "You are America at its finest. I am very honored to be a member of this club. I sing its praises and [look at it as being] what a Ruritan club should be."
The club was also honored by Ruritan National President Jerome Rodes and Ruritan National Director Roy Maloy.
"You all are in the process of developing a reputation [of fairness[," Rodes told club members. "It's one you can't buy and it takes a long time to get it. I am proud of the East Orange Ruritan club. A 70th anniversary is a pretty big thing."
Entertainment was provided by Dale Wise.