Local Elks Lodge Installs New Officers

The 51st Officer Installation of Mission Viejo Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge #2444 took place at the Lodge on Sunday, March 15, 2020. Greeting members and guests as they entered were many Lodge officers, past and present, Larry Colgan, Alan Harkness, Charlie Hart, Kim Maestri, Rick Moscoso, Jenny Buford, Harvey Boelts, Randy Houston, Jim Humphrey, Lynette Holmes, Andy Costello, and Jerry Flores with Past Exalted Ruler (PER) Irene Romero as the Lodge’s entry room greeter.

The Pledge was led by Norm Jones Past District Deputy (PDDGER) and the prayer by Charlie Hart PER. Exalted Ruler of the 2019-2020 term of office, Jamie Camunas began by welcoming guests and thanking all her officers and members who helped her through a successful year. Next, the incoming Exalted Ruler (ER), Greg Morgan, thanked the many people who helped him in his journey, mentioning Norm Jones, Harvey Boelts, and Andy Costello. He also made mention of how proud he was of the new Elk of the Year, Kevin Lindley, whom he sponsored into Elkdom years ago. Norm Jones, acting Grand Exalted Ruler was master of ceremonies and handled the day’s events calling all the outgoing and incoming officers forward.

New officers for the 2020-2021 years installed this date are Greg Morgan Exalted Ruler, Rick Moscoso Leading Knight, Kim Maestri Loyal Knight, Stuart Urquhart Lecturing Knight, Norm Jones PDDGER Secretary , Bill Bongartz Treasurer, Tenisha Campanile Esquire, Jenny Buford Chaplain, Dick Holmes Assistant Chaplain, Jerry Flores Inner Guard, Russell Sindt Assistant Inner Guard, Lynette Holmes Tiler, Andy Costello Organist, Larry Colgan 1^st Year Trustee, Harvey Boelts (PDDGER) 2^nd Year Trustee, Alan Harkness 3^rd Year Trustee, John Lee 4^th Year Trustee and Randy Houston 5^th Year Trustee.

Outgoing Exalted Ruler, Jamie Camunas signed the Lodge bible and was accepted into the Past Exalted Ruler (PER) Association. Flowers were given to past First Lady Basia Bills and to incoming First Lady Gwen Williams. Jr. PER Jamie gifted ER Greg with his own gavel, her first lady, Basia with a set of silver Elk salt and pepper shakers and gave Esquire batons to Tenisha Campanile and Rick Moscoso. Jr, PER Jamie, herself, was given a set of gold Exalted Ruler Jewels beautifully framed. Outgoing Chairman of the Board of Trustees Vicky Long received a beautiful embroidered denim Elks jacket and commandeered the box of chocolates going to her husband Mike Long, who could not be present.

Andy Costello presented Exalted Ruler Greg Morgan with a check from the Run-A-Ways camping club for the Elks Major Project and the Elks Ladies presented him with two checks, one for the Purple Pig and one for the Lodge resulting from their fundraising efforts throughout the past year. Chaplain Jenny Buford lead the assemblage in the closing prayer. The afternoon ended with members and guests enjoying a splendid buffet prepared by the Elks Kitchen staff.

Photos by Rick Moscoso.The Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Lodge is celebrating 50 years of service to the Saddleback Valley Communities. It is one of 8 lodges in the Orange Coast District of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) whose headquarters is in Chicago, Illinois. The BPOE is a charitable organization with a 151-year history of giving. “Elks Care Elks Share”. For information regarding Elks programs or membership, call 949 830-3557.