NORTH GEORGETOWN – The West Branch Area Ladies Ruritan Club held its monthly meeting April 20 at the North Georgetown Church of the Brethren.

Carrie Pennington, administrator of Sophia Women’s Center in Salem, served as guest speaker. The center is a non-profit professional clinic providing confidential, professional, non-judgmental services to women experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. Their mission is to be the first step for those women by addressing their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs and by equipping them to make healthy, life-affirming decisions. Pennington discussed the expansions happening at the center and their goals for the future.

President Robin Mayer called the meeting to order and all members stood for the pledge of allegiance and singing of “God Bless America.” Viola Blanchard gave the devotion centered around Psalms 119 with a mother teaching her daughter to cross stitch a picture using the Psalm verse.

Secretary Joann Pinkerton read the March meeting minutes. Treasurer Jean Zion gave the treasurer’s report. There were no corrections or additions and both stood approved as read.

The club received thank-you notes from the West Branch third-grade students for the books presented to them last fall. These books are purchased annually by collecting funds from the Knox, Damascus, Goshen and Beloit Ruritan clubs. The thank-you notes will be passed around to those clubs for viewing.

Club members brought donations for the Alliance Pregnancy Center and they were displayed on a table. A photo was taken for submission to the Ruritan National magazine.

Bake sale dates were set for Saturdays May 23, July 4, and Sept. 5 at Timashamie Family Campground from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the social hall.

The regular meeting was adjourned. Club members enjoyed chicken and ham salad sandwiches, chips, grapes, and cookies provided by Shirley Logsdon. Pennington brought cheese and crackers.

The club will hold its May meeting on Monday, May 18.