The Piankatank Ruritan Club marked its 50th anniversary this past weekend with a community event that was free and open to the public. Attendees were served hot dogs, hamburgers and ice cream at the event.

The club’s current president, Jennings Haynes, was presented a certificate by Linward Hedgspeth, 2020 Ruritan National President, which stated “In Acknowledgement of Devoted and Unselfish Service which has Resulted in Making Their Community a Better Place in which to Live.”

The Piankatank Ruritan Club was established on Sept. 22, 1970 in Mathews. Over its 50-year history, the Piankatank Ruritan Club has paid out over $750,000 to Mathews County organizations. The club recognizes that this would not be possible without the help of local residents supporting its fundraising activities.

Some of its major benefactors have included Mathews Little League, Mathews Volunteer Rescue Squad and Volunteer Fire Departments, college scholarships to Mathews High School graduating seniors, ...