Ruritan "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service"

As tempted as I am to read ahead in the diary, I've focused on reading the random notes scattered throughout that she had to get down on paper.

Throughout the diary, there are lists of names of the folks that attended a Church Supper, as well as what was on the menu that evening.

There are recipes, household tips and hand written ledgers; where she carefully kept track of the amount of fabric, ric rac and notions that she purchased for making her aprons.

She notes how many animals they own that very minute on the farm, including some of their names and descriptions/color. Later you will see where she notes of their birth of new babies, as well as losses/death.

At the top of the very back cover, she wrote boldy; RURITAN

I decided to do a little bit of research and learned that Ruritan still currently exists. Established in 1928, in Virginia (where this gal lived).

The word is a combination of the Latin words for open country "ruri" and small town "tan," interpreted as pertaining to rural and small town life.

The back cover of the diary reads;

RURITAN

My Prayer

Health, hope and working zeal
a life not over long.
A faith to make my purpose real
A love to keep it strong.

I look forward to seeing if there is more written of her involvement with this organization.

You can visit the Ruritan website that today is the largest Community Service Organization with over 32,000 members in more than 1,200 clubs, nationwide.