The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind for this little town. Normally, we would be spending our time getting ready for the 4th of July celebration. The homemade ice cream equipment will be pulled out, cleaned up, and put to work here near the end of the week; the bleachers at the arena checked, touched up, and made ready for the crowds to come and enjoy tractor/truck pulls and the demo derby. Schedules are being prepared for kitchen help for the big crowd we'll be feeding on the 4th. And the list goes on...
And then, in the midst of this, it was announced that our one and only school in town is to be shuttered at the end of the 2015-16 school year.
That's enough to stop the busiest of us in our tracks.
So, we have re-grouped.
The planning goes on full steam ahead for a tremendously fun July 2-3-4 celebration. And, in the meantime, many Ruritan members along with townsfolk of all ages have banded together and formed committees to keep this school going long after the proposed deadline.
So, to anyone reading this blog, please say a little prayer for our town--make it a prayer of thanks. We're eternally grateful each day that we have a town where we, Ruritan members or not, practice the creed of "Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service".
And, if you get a chance, come on by for some good food and fellowship on July 2-3-4!
Monday, June 22, 2015
Monday, June 15, 2015
Press Release for Wednesday, June 17 Meeting "Friends of Otwell Elementary"
Reminder: There is an upcoming meeting concerning
closure of Otwell Elementary as a follow-up to the community meeting that was
held on June 11. The meeting will take place on June 17 (Wednesday) at 7:00pm
EST at the Otwell Community Center. Further organizing will take place. Representative Mike
Braun will be present to speak. Organizers encourage any citizen who wants to
help please attend to learn about further details and how to become involved.
For further information
and updates, please be sure to check:
Website and FB page
specifically for this cause coming soon!
Friday, June 12, 2015
What a Wonderful Town!
We received some devastating news Monday evening--our beloved little grade school was voted closed by our corporation school board.
And then word got out...and this "sleepy" little town we all love got moving.
Last night, close to 250 good people assembled in a standing room only fashion to not complain...or bellyache...or fuss...
We gathered together to get to work...that's what we do around here.
And work we have to do--we will have an open steering committee meeting next Wednesday evening at the Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Anyone, of any age, is more than welcome to join in--the only skill you need is the ability to work diligently and positively. We know there are lots of good people in the area that fulfill that qualification!
Thanks to everyone for rallying to this good and urgent cause. We know there were many more who couldn't attend last night's meeting due to other responsibilities; you can hop right on the "Keep OES" Express by coming next week, or by keeping up to date with checking in on posts on this website and an upcoming website entitled Friends of Otwell Elementary. We'll share that website address as soon as it gets up and rolling. You can also "Like" the Jefferson Township--Otwell, Indiana Ruritan on Facebook and follow developments there.
We love this little town, its people, and its school...let's keep moving forward!
And then word got out...and this "sleepy" little town we all love got moving.
Last night, close to 250 good people assembled in a standing room only fashion to not complain...or bellyache...or fuss...
We gathered together to get to work...that's what we do around here.
And work we have to do--we will have an open steering committee meeting next Wednesday evening at the Community Center at 7:00 p.m. Anyone, of any age, is more than welcome to join in--the only skill you need is the ability to work diligently and positively. We know there are lots of good people in the area that fulfill that qualification!
Thanks to everyone for rallying to this good and urgent cause. We know there were many more who couldn't attend last night's meeting due to other responsibilities; you can hop right on the "Keep OES" Express by coming next week, or by keeping up to date with checking in on posts on this website and an upcoming website entitled Friends of Otwell Elementary. We'll share that website address as soon as it gets up and rolling. You can also "Like" the Jefferson Township--Otwell, Indiana Ruritan on Facebook and follow developments there.
We love this little town, its people, and its school...let's keep moving forward!
Monday, May 18, 2015
May is Ruritan Awarenes Month
The Ruritan Club of Jefferson Township strives to live the motto, "fellowship, goodwill, and community service" every day by serving the community and its citizens in order to make our small town a wonderful place to live. Consider membership and come join us!
Monday, May 11, 2015
May 11--Monthly Ruritan Meeting Tonight
Don't forget! Our monthly meeting is tonight at 7:00 p.m. We'll be having coney dogs, chips, and a variety of desserts for our supper followed by the meeting. We'll be covering a number of items, including updates about the upcoming July 2-3-4 activities as well as those activities leading up to 4th of July weekend. See you there!
We always welcome new perspective members to apply for membership...if you're interested in living the motto of "Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service"...come join us!
We always welcome new perspective members to apply for membership...if you're interested in living the motto of "Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service"...come join us!
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Spring Nears--Ruritan Activities Abound!
We're all getting that malady that we don't mind catching this time of year--Spring Fever! We're ready to trade in our snow boots for garden boots, our heavy coats for lighter-weight jackets, and our stuck-in-the-driveway blues for freedom to roam whenever, wherever...ah, Spring Fever!
The Jefferson Township Ruritan is ready to "spring" into action as well. During the winter months a great deal of initial planning has gone on to give the area's folks some opportunities to get out and about and enjoy some civic fellowship.
On April 18, the Ruritan will host its Annual Chicken Supper. Serving will start at 5:00 p.m. in the Otwell Community Center dining room. A free will offering meal will consist of fried chicken, German fries, baked beans, cole slaw, a pickle, and bread. Tea and lemonade to drink. We're working on the possibility of a dessert area...stay tuned! Be sure and mark your calendars for this fun community event--and come eat some really good food from local cooks...the best kind!
The Ruritan officers and Board are currently in the mid-planning stages of the Grand-daddy of area events, the Annual 4th of July Weekend. Things are looking good! This year promises to bring you wonderful opportunities to make memories with friends and family while enjoying great local food and entertainment. A full schedule will be listed on the July 4 Website once it is finalized. Make your plans now for having a great time in Otwell on July 2-3-4!
The Christmas Light "Light Up the Village" campaign was a great success! The new lights for the poles have been ordered along with a wonderful new addition to the decorations that will be unveiled come the Christmas season. Thanks SO MUCH to all of the town's people and businesses for their great generosity. Otwell will be a beauty come Christmas time!
A huge THANK YOU also goes out to a great bunch of guys who are our local unsung heroes...come rain, snow, wind, you name it...when the holidays roll around, our town becomes beautifully adorned with Old Glory posted on the light poles that run through town. The dedication of these guys from the Ruritan as well as other guys from the town is very much appreciated. If you want to help out, give Roger Knight a call...the more the merrier!
As you can see, the Ruritan is busy in keeping the civic projects rolling! Would you like to be a member? See any Ruritan member for an application or drop an email to jeffersontownshipinruritan@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Jefferson Township Otwell Indiana Ruritan.
Have a wonderful weekend! And think SPRING!
The Jefferson Township Ruritan is ready to "spring" into action as well. During the winter months a great deal of initial planning has gone on to give the area's folks some opportunities to get out and about and enjoy some civic fellowship.
On April 18, the Ruritan will host its Annual Chicken Supper. Serving will start at 5:00 p.m. in the Otwell Community Center dining room. A free will offering meal will consist of fried chicken, German fries, baked beans, cole slaw, a pickle, and bread. Tea and lemonade to drink. We're working on the possibility of a dessert area...stay tuned! Be sure and mark your calendars for this fun community event--and come eat some really good food from local cooks...the best kind!
The Ruritan officers and Board are currently in the mid-planning stages of the Grand-daddy of area events, the Annual 4th of July Weekend. Things are looking good! This year promises to bring you wonderful opportunities to make memories with friends and family while enjoying great local food and entertainment. A full schedule will be listed on the July 4 Website once it is finalized. Make your plans now for having a great time in Otwell on July 2-3-4!
The Christmas Light "Light Up the Village" campaign was a great success! The new lights for the poles have been ordered along with a wonderful new addition to the decorations that will be unveiled come the Christmas season. Thanks SO MUCH to all of the town's people and businesses for their great generosity. Otwell will be a beauty come Christmas time!
A huge THANK YOU also goes out to a great bunch of guys who are our local unsung heroes...come rain, snow, wind, you name it...when the holidays roll around, our town becomes beautifully adorned with Old Glory posted on the light poles that run through town. The dedication of these guys from the Ruritan as well as other guys from the town is very much appreciated. If you want to help out, give Roger Knight a call...the more the merrier!
As you can see, the Ruritan is busy in keeping the civic projects rolling! Would you like to be a member? See any Ruritan member for an application or drop an email to jeffersontownshipinruritan@gmail.com. You can also find us on Facebook at Jefferson Township Otwell Indiana Ruritan.
Have a wonderful weekend! And think SPRING!
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
2015--A New Year for New Activities in Our Area
With a new year, the Jefferson Township Ruritan is already actively involved in making our Township community and town of Otwell a little more inviting and more pleasant for its citizens. Here are some of the challenges we have set for our club so far this year:
- Purchasing new Ruritan signs for three roads leading into Otwell
- Purchasing new/replacement lighted Christmas decorations for the light poles in Otwell. We hope to expand the area with more decorations
- Donation to the Pike Central After-Prom
- Planning a bigger and better 4th of July celebration for 2015
- Starting a web site for the Ruritan with information for club members and those interested in applying for membership. The website will also carry information on scheduled events.
- Planning the annual spring chicken supper
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