CHAPMANVILLE - Members of the Lions Club of Logan saw their ranks officially swell on June 28, as two new members were inducted into what longtime Lions stalwart Odis Ratcliff has long referred to as "the number one service club in Logan County."

It was a night of fun, friendship and family as many members brought wives, parents or other loved ones to the annual ceremony held at the Logan County Country Club in Chapmanville. Former club president Arnold Walker was the guest of honor who inducted the new members and swore in the club's officers for 2008-2009.

Walker said he was happy to be back in Logan and honored to conduct the instillation of officers and new members, and spoke about his own experience as a member of the Lions Club of Logan, explaining that while he had been a member of different Lions Club before he joined the local club when he lived and worked in this area, he "grew the most as a Lion when I was in the Logan Club." Walker said when he applied for membership at his current club in the Charleston area, several past Lions District governors spoke highly of the Logan club. "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to come back tonight," Walker said.

"Clubs like this one are the foundation of the Lions International," Walker explained, adding that like all service clubs the Lions are facing a challenge in finding new members who can help them maintain their excellent reputation for community service.

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The most recent recipient of the Lions Club Citizen of the Year award, Roger Bryant provided musical entertainment for the ceremony.

Charles "Chuck" Puckett and Steven Stone were inducted as the newest members of the club, and the duo have apparently hit the ground running since applying for membership noted their sponsor, who explained that the youngest members of the club have had excellent attendance at the twice monthly meetings and have lent a helping hand during recent club activities. Walker explained the decades long traditions of the club to the new members who received their membership pins during the ceremony.

The Lions honored two of their finest as Tom Aguirre and Ken Nunley were named as Melvin Jones Fellows, which is the highest honor the Lions International has for members, in recognition of their commitment to humanitarian services. In 68 years, the club has only seen the award given to seven other members.

"It was truly an honor for me to do this, as Ken and Tom are Lions and friends I have admired for many years," Walker noted.

Walker then installed

*Larry Roark as Lion Tamer

* Glen Ables as Tail Twister

*Tom Aguirre, Bill McDonald and Cliff Chriswell as board of directors members

* Linda McGlothen as First Vice President

*Lee McDermott as Second Vice President

*Beverly Roark as Secretary/Treasurer

*Bill McDonald as Past President

*Roger Perry as President

"Lion Roger, the gavel is yours," quipped Bill McDonald.

"I already have one of those," noted Perry who is a circuit court judge in his day job.

Perry said he hoped the club would have another good year and that he felt honored to be serving as president again.