WINONA – The Winona Ruritan Club met March 24 at the Winona Friends Church. President Rob Doyle Jr. called the meeting to order and led the group in the singing of “America.” The caterer served an all-you-can-eat dinner of meatloaf, parsley mashed potatoes, green beans, dinner rolls and butter, garden salad with choice of dressing, white or chocolate cake, and beverage.

Doyle Jr. introduced guest speaker Pete Conkle, director of the Columbiana County Soil & Water Conservation District. Secretary E. Lee Stamp called the roll of members with a total of 19 being present. Stamp then read the minutes of the February meeting and also the minutes of the March Board of Directors meeting. There were no changes or additions, and both were approved as read. Treasurer Bob Doyle Sr. gave his detailed February financial report, which was also approved as read.

Doyle Jr. led discussion regarding the club’s recent pancake and sausage breakfast, which served approximately 482 people, for which the club thanked the community for its support. Items discussed were the cost of the hogs, cost of processing, amount of whole hog sausage the club has to sell; only 1 pound packages of bulk and smoked link, all patties were sold.

Each month the club sings Happy Birthday to members born in the month; members born in March include Bob Doyle Sr., Fred Pamer, Larry Sanor and Tom Sanor.

Looking ahead to high school graduations in May and the club’s Winona Ruritan College/Higher Education Scholarships which will be awarded in June: There will be six students eligible – Cali Bohannon, granddaughter of Bob Doyle Sr.; Dally Meek, granddaughter of Larry Sanor; Joanna Marhefka, granddaughter of Bruce Marhefka; Myah Howell, great-granddaughter of Homer Huprich; and Jace Medure and Maddox Andrea, grandsons of Dennis McArthur. The Ruritan National Foundation is awarding each participating club this year with a $650 scholarship. The club recently received its annual report from its scholarship investment with the Salem Community Foundation where the income can be used for these scholarships if needed. The club is asking members to let the board know how many graduates they may have for 2026 and 2027 for future planning.

A number of donations were approved: $300 to the Winona Friends Church for use of its facility; $300 to the Winona Friends Church Youth Group for its help during the breakfast; $200 to the Columbiana County Fair Board for the purchase of 4-H Youth trophies; $300 to Franklin Graham Samaritan Purse Disaster Fund; $200 to the Winona Friends Church Camp Gideon.

Guest speaker Pete Conkle was asked to pull the winning ticket for the club’s spring gun raffle, a Henry Big Boy Side Gate Lever Action Rifle cal. 360 Buckhammer. The winning ticket belonged to Joshua Stamp of Canfield.

Entertainment of next month’s father and daughter dinner meeting will be Kenneth Hammontree of “Living History Productions” portraying George Washington and Patriots in Petticoats.”

Thom Ewing announced the Winona Volunteer Fire Department will hold its pancake and sausage breakfast April 26 at the fire house.

Ewing also provided a reminder that America will celebrate its 250th birthday next year in 2026. For ideas on how to help, visit america250.org.

Doyle Jr. announced that the Ohio Ruritan Spring Banquet is Saturday, April 26 at the Foltz Center in East Canton.

Conkle then updated the club on all the activities that he and his small group are involved in in Columbiana County, from the constant monitoring of run off, wood lands management to the ever growing popularity of the Hell Bender Salamander.

To adjourn the meeting, everyone rose an pledged allegiance to the American flag.