The first Ridgeway Community Betterment Association got started in 1963 when a young man named Gene Clack, a representative of the newly formed Missouri Community Betterment created during Governor John M. Dalton’s administration, came to Ridgeway from Jefferson City to present the idea of community betterment to the community at large. There had already been several presentations given to smaller groups such as the Ridgeway Lions, the WTL club, FFA and even 4H. Now the community was invited to the Ridgeway School gym to learn more and to elect chairs for the 13 committees that would be formed.
One hundred and nineteen people, nearly half of Ridgeway’s population, attended the meeting. They enjoyed coffee and donuts served by the Future Homemakers Association students and enjoyed music played by the school band. Gene Clack spoke, praising the number of people in attendance and remarking that “We owe it to our friends and neighbors to find time to contribute some energy to the betterment of the entire community. A community is only as good and strong as the individuals who make up the citizenry.” Ridgeway citizens accepted his challenge and went on to win national recognition in 1964 for the improvements they made to the city.
