MONTGOMERY RURITAN CLUB OBSERVES 48TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR 1960-2008 

In November 2000, the Montgomery Ruritan Club used the occasion of its annual Turkey Trot Appreciation Night to mark its 40th anniversary year by recognizing and honoring the 40 men who had served as club president. Deron Steiner, club president, was master of ceremonies for the event. He along with several other former presidents gave reflections of club progress, highlights, lowlights as well as personal reflections of what the club has meant to them and to the community as a whole. Bob Showalter, also a past president, gave a slide presentation on the early years of club history focusing on the building of the Montgomery Ruritan Park campgrounds, Indian Rock Lake, the early years of the Turkey Trot Festival and the construction of the community building. 

In its now 48th year history, the Montgomery Ruritan Club has had 48 different community individuals who have served as club president. These forty-six civic minded individuals have represented a wide range of professional and personal backgrounds. Regardless of the divergence of leadership, the club has thrived and still maintains its continuity and dedication to the betterment of not just the Montgomery area but all of Daviess and Martin Counties. 

Past Presidents Of Ruritan Club:

Picture Identification: Ruritan Club Presidents and the year of serving: front row, left to right, Chris O’Brian 1969, Donald Craney 1987, Gary Graber 1980, Tony Showalter 1990, Glen Spaulding 1994, P. J. Craney 1992, Galen Graber 1988, John Hart 1982, Tom Kane 2001. 

Second row, left to right, Mike Steiner 1999, Hank Wittmer 1974, Tony Duncheon 1998, Jim Truelove 1983, George Nolan 1976, Darrell Eaton 1984, Ed Theroff 1978, Deron Steiner 2000. 

Back row, left to right, P. V. Steiner 1981, Paul Miller 1977, Bob Showalter 1968, Jack Craney 1979,

Alvis Graber 1995, Joe Wuertz 1993, Jim O’Brian 1973, Charles Albert Kavanaugh 1975. 

Those past presidents unable to attend were: Tom Jones 1963, Joe Traylor 1965, Bob Elliott 1972, Jim Traylor 1985, Rus Titzer 1986, Mike Healy 1989, Jack Graber 1991, Pat Schitter 1996, Mike Anderson 1997. 

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 and John Hart Sr. 1982. 

Those who have served as Ruritan President since this photo take include: Scott Nally 2002, Grant Olds 2003, Dennis Hart 2004, Louis Kavanaugh Jr. 2005, and Lee Kavanaugh 2006, Bob Miller 2007, John Wagler 2008