On August 25th, the Grand Lodge Officers traveled to Blair, Nebraska for the 150th Anniversary and rededication of Washington Lodge No. 21. At the conclusion of the Ceremony, M.W. Patrick Barger presented two Fellow Craft Proficiency Coins to members of Washington Lodge.
Shown receiving their Coins from M.W. Barger are Brothers Chris Ray and Caleb Sandall.
On August 4, 2018, twelve Brethren from Cotner Lodge No. 297, Craftsmen Lodge No. 314 and Waterloo Lodge No. 102 gathered at the Northeast Family Center in Havelock in Lincoln, NE for a CHIP Event.
There were four computer stations, a dental station, and medical station. Brothers manned the check-in, computer and check-out stations. The dental station was manned by two students from the College of Dentistry where Toothprints, an impression of the kids’ teeth, were made. The medical station was manned by Rhonda Sanford and her daughter Kristen from Bethel #63, where DNA swabs were taken. All information collected from the children was then given to the parents and erased from the computers. The parents were educated by the Brethren on how to store the DNA and dental impressions, and the photos, interview and description of the kids, stored on a USB thumb drive, were also given to the parents.
In an event where the child is missing, all this information can be handed to the authorities, saving precious time. Instead of interviewing distraught parents, the authorities can use this information to immediately start search efforts. Since the program began, over 45,000 kids in Nebraska have had packets made and given to their parents. The event lasted for lasted for three hours and 40 identification packets were processed and given to grateful parents.
The event was organized on behalf of the Northeast Family Center by W.B. Rob Sanford, a member of the Nebraska Freemasons CHIP Foundation Board, and W.M. Mark Rossignol of Cotner Lodge. W.B. Rob commented that it was great to see so many Brothers willing to come out and support this event. W.M. Mark provided technical support for the computers when there were technical difficulties. The event went smoothly and the interaction between the Brethren and the Community gave everyone involved a great sense of pride and fellowship.
If your Lodge would like to host an event such as this to interact with and serve with your community, please contact the Grand Lodge. Events such as Back to School nights, company picnics and health fairs are excellent opportunities to get Freemasonry in front of the public. Who knows, you might even get someone interested in your Lodge and Freemasonry!
Camp Clarke Lodge 285 held an outdoor Masters Degree at the Schuler ranch near Bridgeport Ne on August 4th.
Brother David Schuler was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason by his father, W.B. Butch Schuler with the assistance of brothers from Kimball, Scottsbluff, Mitchell and Alliance. The candidate’s grandfather served as Chaplain.
The Lodge location was surrounded by the bluffs of Wildcat Hills and the weather was perfect with a rainbow appearing as the lodge was closed.
M.W. John Maxell, Past Grand Master, and R.W. Ronald D. Stites, Grand Senior Warden, had the honor of presenting a 60-year Award at the Eastern Nebraska Veterans Home to W.B. Winfred N. Roberts of Porter Lodge No. 106. The presentation was witnessed by nearly 50 people; the crowd was made up of many members of his family, residents, and Home staff.
During the July 28th Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children’s 4-H Club Achievement Day and BBQ, MW Patrick Barger presented the 4-H’er of the year award and participated in the ribbon cutting dedication for the Home’s Padden Cottage. Following the ribbon cutting and Home provided BBQ, MW Patrick went for a ride on a mechanical bull. Once he figured how to mount the bull – with the assistance of Past Grand Masters Bruce Baker and Dennis Rix – it was a short ride and the dismount was no more graceful than the mounting. Also attending with MW Patrick were RW’s Bob Moninger, Ron Stites and Jim Carlton, and WB’s Rob King, WB Kevin Scheele and David Wetrosky. The below photos show MW Patrick presenting the Home’s Rawhide Wrangler 4-H Club of the year award to Maddie, the ribbon cutting, and MW Patrick on the mechanical bull.
As part of the Grand Lodges’s new Reception, Retention, and Revitalization (R3) initiative, we’ve partnered with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce to support growth in our respective organizations and the community. This program is designed to be a resource for lodges in conjunction with the local Chamber of Commerce. Grand Orator Kevin Scheele organized a meeting with the Columbus Chamber of Commerce Commodores, Grand Senior Warden Ron Stites, and representatives of Lebanon Lodge No. 323 at the Masonic Center in Columbus on July 24th. Fifteen Columbus Chamber Commodores were in attendance to hear about what we do and who we are as Masons in Nebraska. Picture from left to right are Grand Orator Kevin Scheele, Grand Senior Warden Ron Stites, Commodore Skipper Bud Fleischer, Worshipful Master of Lebanon Lodge Kim Severyn, and WB Wayne Jacobsen of Lebanon Lodge.
Kevin Scheele, Grand Orator, brought greetings on behalf of Grand Master Patrick Barger to the Nebraska DeMolay Conclave at the banquet and installation on July 21. Pictured are Past State Master Councilor Kyle Barchus, State Master Councilor Jacob Leeper, Grand Orator Kevin Scheele, and Executive Officer Kevin Grazier. Congratulations and best wishes to the this year’s Nebraska DeMolay State Officers!
