Library Trustee
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In 1989, Ruth was a candidate for Lane Memorial Library Trustee. The local newspaper ran an article with her qualifications, which was a good thing.
"I had no intention of standing outdoors in the winter with a sign on voting day," says Ruth. "It was simpler to let citizens know my qualifications before they voted on March 14.
"There were three candidates, who competed for the office: the male incumbent, another man, and myself. When the Town Clerk reported the votes they were: 516, 256, and 710 respectively. The Town Clerk, Jane Kelley, administered the oath to uphold the State Constitution before I appeared at the first meeting of the Trustees."
Ruth served as a Library Trustee for 6 years. She was Secretary for two of these years and Chairman for 3 years.
The wreath that Ruth made each year at Christmas for the Library with the help of other Hampton Garden Club members
"March 9, 1995 was my final meeting as Library Trustee Chairman," says Ruth. "At the start Katie Anderson presented a verbal tribute, which was much appreciated, along with a silk flower arrangement. Cathy Redden (Library Director) presented a quilted pillow-comforter she had made, and a note - 'You have served the Lane Memorial Library with distinction. Thank you for sharing your expertise, energy, time, effort and concern. You have left large shoes to fill.'
"The Library Trustees (later) notified me that the
American Horticultural Society Encyclopedia of Garden Plants was purchased in my honor. I accepted the invitation to examine it before it was circulated. It had 4000 beautiful colored pictures of trees, shrubs, ferns, grasses, bulbs, cacti, perennials and water plants. There was a tremendous amount of information on 608 pages. I thought it was an excellent addition to Lane Memorial Library's collection."
And apropos since Ruth was a member of the Hampton Garden Club and an avid gardener.
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