Ruritan is a national organization dedicated to building a better America through community service, with nearly 30,000 members throughout the United States. Ruritan members believe the most important benefit of membership is the opportunity to work in fellowship with people who, like them, have a desire to make their communities better places in which to live.

Ruritan Clubs have traditionally been small-town, rural-oriented service organizations. For many towns, the club offered one of the ways to gather together for that combination of social interaction and productive work that defined the spirit of their communities. And so it was in 1952, when Aldie Ruritan was formed. Of the 36 original members that year, 17 listed their occupation as farmers.

Today, somehow the club is still active, although the surrounding area has become much more developed and there are many other venues for socializing and service. The population mix of the club has dramatically changed. Members are small business owners, retired military, high-tech workers, our local historian, and a mix more typical of the current population of Loudoun County. They are residents of Aldie or the surrounding area,  attracted by the sense of living history (several members from the 50’s are still active); and by the opportunity to give back some of their time to the community in good works.

Members can be seen raising funds by managing gates and parking for events like the Middleburg Dog Show at Oatlands, several steeplechase races at Glenwood Park, and Christmas in Middleburg. All funds raised are invested back into the community. The members have helped repair and upgraded living accommodations for local residents; provided an annual award for two outstanding students at Aldie Elementary school; provided financial support for the “Odyssey of the Mind” team at Mercer Middle School; funded an annual scholarship for an outstanding high-school student; supported local charities and food banks; maintained the footbridges and walks between the firehouse and Aldie Mill (the bridges were built by the Ruritan); and sponsored and conducted roadside clean-up and anti-litter drives.

The Aldie Club meets the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 7:00 PM at the hall of the Aldie United Methodist Church. Meetings feature a meal, business meeting and an educational or entertaining program for members. It’s a great way to connect with the heritage of Aldie. We are always looking for new members to continue the tradition.

Contact: Steve Moore, President (703 327-3562); or Bill Carney, Secretary (703 327-4082). Or stop by one of our regular meetings and introduce yourself. You’ll be treated to some fine country cooking as our guest; and, if you are willing to give some labor hours each year, can be sponsored for a membership.