12.18.07
Wow an Update to the Blog!
Well, I know that’s what most of you are saying. But it’s true! I thought now would be a good time to send out some information about things that have taken place recently at the Lodge.
As most everyone knows, the Lodge Room has been under some renovation for the last month or so. We have had to have several meetings downstairs and it was finally nice to have the final meeting for 2007, including the Election and Installation of Officers upstairs. I know that the Eastern Star as well as the Rainbow and DeMolay will be happy to finally have their meetings upstairs again. We still have a little work to do, but things have come a long way.
I especially want to thank all of those who have taken the time to work upstairs. The progress we have made could not have been accomplished with out you!
If you haven’t been in a long while now would be a great time to check things out again and support your Lodge, Chapter and Assembly. As part of our renovation process we have decided to replace all of the side line chairs in the Lodge room. This project has been very well received and at this writing we have had 53 of the available 87 chairs donated. Thats 60% in less than one month! We, of course, are striving toward the goal of purchasing all of the chairs without having to spend any of the Lodge’s available funds. A great many have contributed and I invite you to check out the website to see the status and to find out how you can help. http://www.summervillelodge.org/
As I said the Lodge held it’s 92nd Annual Election and Installation of Officers on December 11, 2007. It was a very good meeting and was attended very well. I don’t think that there was a empty chair in the Lodge Room. (of course by then we had already removed half of the available chairs).
The 2008 Officers are as follows:
James B. Jenkins ~ Worshipful Master
Carey D. Baxley ~ Senior Warden
Robert S. Foulds ~ Junior Warden
Charles E. Gravley ~ Treasurer
James E. Bouknight ~ Secretary
Michael S. Brock ~ Chaplain
Donald F. Erbe ~ Senior Deacon
Thomas J. Clemons ~ Junior Deacon
Cristopher Leeper ~ Steward
Carey Collins ~ Steward
Chuck Bouknight ~ Marshal
Robert G. Williams ~ Tiler
Lets support these Officers and ensure a great new year for Summerville Lodge No. 234!
The Annual Election and Installation of Officers always brings the Annual Banquet, and this Banquet was well planned by Worshipful Brother Carey Baxley! A special thanks to Carolyn for all of her hard work to make the evening classy with the decorations. The evening started out with a nice group photo. I just wanted everyone to know what it looks like from a speakers point of view. Although everyone is smiling, it doesn’t make it any easier for a Master of Ceremonies to stand up before a crowd. Thankfully though, everyone was kind and said “what a good job.”
Our entertainment for the evening was supplied by a beautiful pair of artists from right here in summerville. Their music set just the right tone for the evening and I especially thank them for playing. Please visit 
their web site at http://www.2for2music.com/ for just a small sample of what they have to offer. They continued to play right up until the the last few people left. They offered classical christmas tunes and well as pop standards and even some original music. They have played in many different types of environments and have even opened for Jay Leno, but if you hear of them playing somewhere in the area. Please make it a point to go and see them.
Our evening culmunated with the presentation of service awards and I had the opportunity as Worshipful Master to present a few special ones. Although we had several distinguished awards. None gave me greater satisfaction than being able to present Worshipful Brother Hal Kealser with his 50 Year Certificate and Pin.
What a great honor for me! Several other brothers received those honors and could not be with us that night. We hope to catch up with you soon.
Even though I didn’t think it was possible. An evening with so much planned threw me a surprise. Worshipful Brother Carey Baxley asked if he could take up just a moment to make a small presentation. Well, secretly behind my back, Carey had contacted Jonathan, my son and DeMolay Master Councilor, to present the Ceremony of Light. I have accompanied Jonathan many times as he has performed this over the state. But to have him do it in my Honor turned out to be a moment when I was at a loss for words. I could not be more proud, of him and his ability. So thanks to both Jonathan and Carey for doing that for me.
It turned out to be just a beautiful night and I thank all of those who worked so hard to make it happen. It has been my Honor to serve this Lodge in many capacities, I could not be more proud to be a Mason especially a Past Master of Summerville Lodge No. 234.
Thank You ~ Sincerely and Fraternally,
James E. Bouknight, P.D.D.G.M.
Worshipful Master 2007
