Sean C. Morgan
The Sweet Home Elks Lodge installed Jim Heimbuck as exalted ruler, along with a new slate of officers, Saturday evening.
Heimbuck, who has been an Elks member for four years, moved to Sweet Home 19 years ago from St. Helen’s, where he worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant in the Plant Modification Department, which handled construction projects.
He moved to Sweet Home after the plant was closed and went to work for James River paper plant in Halsey. He worked there for 10 years and then retired, staying in Sweet Home.
“I love Sweet Home,” he said. He moved here for the job, “but we’ve always been kind of country folks.”
His family moved to Sweet Home with horses, and then raised cattle on 14 acres, although they’ve since stopped.
“I would have joined the Elks a long time ago,” Heimbuck said. He had friends who were members, but no one ever mentioned it much.
He attended one of the organization’s crab feeds, held for prospective members; and Dennis Bechtel, now district deputy grand exalted ruler, sponsored his membership.
Heyward Dropla, who was exalted ruler, later asked him if he would serve as an officer.
“I think it’s exciting,” Heimbuck said of his new appointment. “I’m really looking forward to it.”
A lot has changed in the past year, Heimbuck said. The lodge has been painted, redecorated, and so have the people who make up the lodge. It’s friendlier and more inviting. Activities such as Texas Hold ’Em and karaoke are popular.
“We’re getting a lot of people reinstating and transferring back,” Heimbuck said, and he thinks the next year will be even better. “We’re having a lot of fun, and we’re doing a lot of good in the community.”
“We have had a very successful year, but it’s been a joint effort,” Past Exalted Ruler Ron Sharrah said. “We’ve had a bigger group working toward a common goal than we have for years.”
Heimbuck wants to focus on increasing membership, which in turn helps the organization do more with its charitable activities, which include local scholarships, Thanksgiving baskets and donations to schools as well as state-level charity.
“The Elks are impressive to me because of what we’re doing,” Heimbuck said. “Just to see the expression on these people’s faces, that’s awesome.”
Heimbuck is married to Debbi. They have a daughter, Debbi Vance of Alaska, and a son, D.J. Heimbuck of Arizona. They also have four grandchildren.
Heimbuck “is going to bring a lot of energy to the lodge, great ideas,” Sharrah said. He’s well-organized and meticulous. That’s something the lodge needs right now. “I know he’s going to do a great job.”
Other officers installed Saturday included Randy Claasen as leading knight; Sharrah as loyal knight; Jody Ramey, chaplain; Mel Pike, lodge esquire; Marty Johnson, inner guard; Kevin Howard, tiler; and Ron Walker, trustee.
The lecturing knight position is vacant.
In his last duty as exalted ruler, Sharrah presented numerous awards to lodge members.
Receiving the Blake Enos Award for dedicated service to the Elks were Emmy Dimick and Ron Fogle.
Past Exalted Ruler Ron Sharrah presents the Elk of the Year Award to Jerry McCollum
Elk of the Year was Jerry McCollum. Officer of the year was Bonnie McCollum.
Citizen of the Year, which may be presented to non-members, was given to Lerena Ruby for her dedication and volunteering in the Sweet Home community.
Receiving Outstanding Service Commendations were Virgil Cramblett and Patricia Sharrah.
A lodge can have up to two, Sharrah said, and along with the Blake Enos Award, it may not be given at all in any given year.
Bechtel presented district awards. Sharrah received the Grand Exalted Rulers Make a Difference Citation. The lodge, BPOE 1972, received the Grand Exalted Rulers Make a Difference Special Citation.