The newly elected corps of officers of Mt. Zion Lodge No. 211 was installed at the Masonic Temple in Camden on Jan. 6, following a dinner.

Several wives, children, grandchildren and friends saw the installation of the 2009 officers. The ceremonies were conducted by Past Masters Bill Dyke and Wayne Downham.

Presiding in the chair of worshipful master will be Donald Hickman, Jr. His senior warden will be Donald Hickman III, with Jerry Lowry filling the position of junior warden. Robert McCain will again serve as treasurer and Nicholas Clark retains the position of secretary. Bill Dyke was elected to the board of trustees.

Rounding out the slate of appointed officers will be Nate Hardin, senior deacon; Jason Dunning, senior stewart; Dennis Veach, junior stewart; Wayne Downham, chaplain; Ron King, Tyler; immediate Past Master Fred Hartman, Masonic Home representative; and Dieter Hantschel, media relations.

The new master addressed the guests and his officers and expressed his appreciation for the work done by his predecessor, Fred Hartman, and the 2008 officers. Hickman noted that "much important work was done in the last year, such as the extensive renovations of the historic building." He continued, saying that "we will build on the foundation that has been handed to us and we will reach out to the community where needs arise. Our Lodge will continue to cosponsor the free Child Identification Program this summer. We will also want to reach out to those men in Carroll County who wish to know more about Masonry and our work."

Hickman later said that he is considering some public gatherings in the summer where guests can visit informally with members of the fraternity and ask questions.

Mt. Zion Lodge was founded in Camden in 1857 and has met continuously in its own temple since 1902. At one time the building on Camden's Main Street was the largest structure in Carroll County. The lodge currently has over 250 members and welcomes more.