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Ruritans sell food at fair to benefit scholarships
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From left, Jim Rice, his grandson, A.J. Josephy, 14; Austin Gebhardt, 16, and his grandfather, Buzz Gebhardt, stand in front of the Springfield Township Ruritan concession stand. Buzz Gebhardt has worked at the stand for 30 years, and both grandfathers say they enjoy having their grandsons help out.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
CANFIELD
When the Springfield Township Ruritan Club fries potatoes, people come. And that’s to the tune of three tons of spuds turned into tasty french fries.
Since 1968, the club has had a french fry stand at the Canfield Fair, said Dave Snyder, a 44-year member of the club chartered March 30, 1954, the first Ruritan club to get its charter in Mahoning County.
“The Ruritan club is a civic organization whose mission is to make rural communities better places to live,” Snyder said. The club accomplishes that through fellowship, good will and community service.
Snyder said selling fries is the club’s only fundraiser. Ruritans also sell fries at the Columbiana County Fair and Springfield Local School District football games.
Snyder said the club’s first french fry booth at Canfield was a 10-by-16-foot wooden stand with four burners. The club now has a trailer customized by Caravans Unlimited with new fryers and a heat lamp.
Snyder said the club uses Idaho potatoes No. 1 and 2. Potatoes are washed but not peeled, and then run through a cutter. “We only use peanut oil to fry,” he said. “We think it makes better-tasting fries.”
The club sells a small order for $4 and a large order for $5,” he said. Francis “Buzz” Gebhardt, a 38-year member, said customers “get their money’s worth because of the portions.”
Through fair days, which began Wednesday and conclude Monday, Snyder said the club will cook 6,000 pounds of potatoes. “The busiest days are Thursday, Saturday and Sunday,” he said. The stand is on Wetmore Drive, across from the Pony Palace.
Snyder said busy days need six volunteers per shift; most belong to the 34-member club. “We also get help from our wives, children and former members,” Snyder said. Volunteers work from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 5 to closing.
Jim Rice, who was cooking fries Wednesday, said, “When they float, it’s time to drain and brown them,” The fries are moved from a 300-degree fryer to a 325-degree one.
Much of the proceeds benefit scholarships, Snyder said, noting that project began in 1960. Gebhardt said seven scholarships are awarded to students who have completed the first semester. Six are $1,500 over two years that go to Springfield students, he said, and a $750 scholarship to a Crestview High School graduate.
Ruritans also give financial support to Springfield Township Council of Churches and Community, which operates a food pantry and distributes Christmas food baskets. The club also helps people in emergencies, Snyder said. “It’s the kind of thing we do — helping people in need,” Snyder said.
Roy Houser, Greenford Ruritans president, said the club has had a food booth at the Canfield Fair since 1959. Before setting up shop in building No. 23 in 1997, the club used a tent.
The 45-member organization offers a menu that includes breakfast with pancakes, eggs any way, bacon and sausage, and a sausage, egg and cheese sandwich. They also make hamburgers, cheeseburgers, hot dogs, chicken salad, pulled-pork sandwiches and barbecue chicken roasted on a spit over charcoal. “Our homemade milkshakes are a big hit,” Houser said of what he called “good-sized” ice cream drinks.
Randy Chismar, a 15-year member, has served as fair food chairman for a decade and uses a week’s vacation for the volunteer service. He said 5,500 pounds of chicken will be barbecued. “It’s our special sauce recipe and a bit of salt that makes the difference,” he said, adding the homemade coleslaw also has a host of followers. “We have many repeat customers. ... We have good food at reasonable prices.” He said it takes about 15 volunteers per shift; South Range High School band members and future teachers help clean the building at night.
Greenford Ruritans distribute four $2,000 scholarships to students at South Range High School who are Green Township residents. Houser said students send in letters to the club, which has a panel that reads them. “Scholarships are given out because of financial need and grades,” he said.
The Ruritans also are involved in the community through sponsorship of Memorial Day and Halloween parades. It also organizes blood drives in April, August and December at Greenford Christian Church.
“If someone is going through a hardship, we’re here to help,” Houser said.