06/04/2026
Every year I post photos of the peonies in bloom at the Ruby Farm just outside of Williams where J. L. and Edith Ruby lived from 1937 until they passed away. Many of you have memories of them as longtime 4-H leaders of both girls and boys. I always enjoy sharing memories of Camp Minnewanca located on the western shore of Lake Michigan with Billie Shelton when she comes to the Talcott for lunch. The Ruby’s were instrumental in encouraging many Hamilton County youth to attend the leadership camp. They both served as summer staff at the camp. One of the pine trees in the photo was planted by J. L. as a seedling from the Camp Minnewanca forest. The other pine tree was a seedling brought back from Montana where one of J. L.’s sisters lived. Trees are often a living legacy of people long after they are gone.
