New Babies on Campus and Ice Jam Updates

The Masonic-Eastern Star Home for Children in Fremont gained a two new resident babies this week. Meet the newest members of the 4-H livestock family. The Hereford/Angus cross (black and white calf) was born on February 24th at about 9:00 am, and the Charolais (white calf) was born on February 25th at 3:30 am. Both calves were born naturally without any pulling necessary. Mama Charolais is very protective, as evidenced by her stern glare at the camera.

Ice Jam on the Platte River

The ice jam on the Platte River is getting plenty of press.  Not much has changed other than a new blowout next to the new $200K dike.  The government did approve a $1.6M contract to rebuild the blowout that directly affects the Children’s Home by Ames, Nebraska.  Fortunately, the ice jam is jamming the Ames blowout, so we are not affected – as of today. 

 

Conference of Grand Masters in Louisville, KY

Four of the Nebraska Grand Lodge officers attended the Conference of Grand Lodges of Masons in North America held in Louisville, KY, February 15-18, 2020. Pictured are M.W. Reg Kuhn, Grand Secretary; R.W. Alex Straatmann, Grand Senior Warden; M.W. Ron Stites, Grand Master; and R.W. Jim Carlton, Deputy Grand Master.

Shown is R.W. Alex Straatmann’s reaction while standing in the buffet line at an evening Conference of Grand Masters in North America meal on learning there was no more fried chicken.  Not to worry though.  After a few deserts and 35 minutes he was successful in capturing a piece of newly prepared fried chicken.  Patience, and desert, does pay off after all!

 

Chili Olympics at Florence Chapter

Grand Chaplain Roger Moore was honored to be a guest judge at the Chili Olympics presented by Florence Chapter #61 on Sunday, February 16.  Congratulations to W.B. Kraig Prange for his 1st place chili.

 

Members of Papillion Receive 2020 GM Pins and Coins

M.W. Ron presented two 2020 Grand Master pins and coins on February 11, 2020 while attending the monthly Regular Communication of Papillion Lodge No. 39.  The coins and pins were given to W.B. Dan Marr and Master of Papillion Lodge and W.B. Adam Cejka.  W.B. Dan received his coin and pin for the effort he has expended with the Grand Lodge Membership Committee, while W.B. Adam received his for his plans during his year as Master that include community involvement, lodge social activities that in a number of instances includes families and guests, and the leadership he is providing to Papillion Lodge.

Pictured left to right:  W.B. Dan Marr, M.W. Ron Stites, Grand Master, and W.B. Adam Cejka.

 

2020 Grand Lodge Officers Kick off the Year

After an eventful and fun Annual Communication weekend at the Younes Center in Kearney, Nebraska, the newly installed 2020 Grand Lodge Officers kicked off the new Masonic year with their first All Officers Meeting at the Fairfield Inn on Sunday, February 9.

 

Installation and EA Proficiency in York

Grand Historian W.B. Kevin Scheele served as installing master for York Lodge No. 56’s annual installation of officers on January 28. Following installation, W.M. Fran Crowe examined Entered Apprentice Mason Justin Jacobson in the standard proficiency for the degree. Bro. Jacobson was declared proficient with hearty congratulations from his brethren. Congratulations to Bro. Jacobson and York Lodge on their great work implementing the full form proficiency!

Pictured L to R: Bro. Justin Jacobson,W.M. Fran Crowe, W.B. Kevin Scheele, Grand Historian.

 

Cairo Lodge No. 324

On January 27, 2020, Grand Master Bob Moninger and the Deputy Grand Master, R.W. Ron Stites, met with a few brethren of Cairo Lodge No. 324 to unfortunately declare the Lodge as extinct in accordance with Bylaws of the Grand Lodge of Nebraska.  Cairo Lodge had six living members and did not desire to consolidate with another lodge.  Also in attendance were five members of Grand Island’s Ashlar Lodge No. 33.  After a brief ceremony and the dropping of the gavel, the lodge was declared extinct.  Members of Ashlar Lodge packed the records and usable items of Cairo Lodge and transported them to be stored at Ashlar Lodge.