After a recently lodge steak fry for Jachin Lodge No. 146 in Holdrege with members and their wives in attendance, several brothers were recognized for their long-time membership. Worshipful Master John D. Konzack made the presentations. Pictured from left to right are Marvin L. Paulsen (40 years), W.M. John Konzack, W.B. Frank Erickson (40 years), and W.B. Lon C. Clark (45 years).
Two new Entered Apprentice Masons were initiated at Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 in Kearney on September 8th. Jeremy Stover and Paul Hazard are pictured with the brothers present at the degree conferral.
College View Lodge No. 320 in Lincoln had several visitors at the September business meeting on September 2nd. Craig and Derek Bodford, father and son, are from Kernersville, North Carolina, where both are members of Kernersville Lodge No. 669 and Craig is a dual member of Walnut Cove Lodge No. 629. They first visited College View back in September of 2020 when Derek and his family moved to Lincoln permanently. Craig decided to visit his son this week and both decided to join College View at lodge once again.
Another visitor was from a little closer to home. W.B. Steven Barchus, Director of the Nebraska Masonic Home Foundation in Plattsmouth, visited College View for the September meeting and provided a presentation on the requirements for admittance into The Nebraska Masonic Home.
To add to the meeting, four of College View Lodge’s members were presented with their service pins: 25-year pins were presented to W.B. Douglas Johnson, W.B. Henry Schultz, W.B. Charles Burk, and Brother Bruce Gubser.
Lastly, Brother Cody Persing proved up in the Master Mason degree, where he and Brother Steven Johnson both received their Masonic aprons from W.M. Curtis Wolbert afterward.
Thanks to everyone who attended the meeting and congratulations to all of the award recipients.
Brother Edwin Alas earned the Grand Master’s Fellow Craft Proficiency Coin for Excellence at Nebraska Lodge No. 1 in Omaha on August 30, prior to being raised to a Master Mason. Four Grand Lodge officers and several brethren from area lodges participated in the degree. The brethren of Nebraska Lodge No. 1 provided a steak dinner for the occasion.
Grand Master Jim Carlton awarded the Fellow Craft Grand Master’s Proficiency Coin for Excellence to Brother Lawrence Willis at Bellevue Lodge No. 325 on August 25. Pictured also is Worshipful Master Bill Pickle, who conferred the Master Mason degree that evening.
On August 25, 2021, College View Lodge No. 320 in Lincoln passed Brother Mike Frain to the degree of a Fellow Craft Mason. W.B. Tom Anderson conferred the degree as Worshipful Master, with W.M. Curt Wolbert as Senior Warden, W.B. Byron Van Patten as Junior Warden, W.B. Bruce Watkins as Chaplain, W.B. David Johnson as Senior Deacon, Brother Bruce Gubser as Junior Deacon, W.B. Chuck Burk as Senior Steward, Brother Steve Johnson as Junior Steward, and W.B. Henry Schultz as Tyler. Brother Steve Johnson and W.M. Curt Wolbert gave the Questions and Answers lecture, W.B. David Johnson presented the Middle Chamber lecture, and W.B. Bruce Watkins issued the Charge.
On August 18, 2021, Brothers of Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 in Kearney conferred the Fellow Craft degree on Brother Justus Melton.
On August 18, 2021, College View Lodge No. 320 welcomed its newest member, Shane Steidley, who was initiated into the Entered Apprentice degree. W.B. David Johnson conferred the degree as Worshipful Master, with W.M. Curtis Wolbert as Senior Warden, Brother Scott Buck, Jr. as Junior Warden, W.B. Thomas Michaelson as Secretary, W.B. Thomas Anderson as Senior Deacon, W.B. Byron Van Patten as Junior Deacon, Bro. Sean Bush as Senior Steward, Brother Steven Johnson as Junior Steward, and Bro. Cody Persing as Tyler.
W.M. Curtis Wolbert and Brother Steven Johnson gave the Questions and Answers lecture, W.B. Bruce Watkins gave the Second Section lecture, W.B. Thomas Anderson gave the Third Section lecture, and W.B. Bruce Watkins issued the Charge as well. Thanks to all of the brethren who helped bring Brother Steidley into the fraternity.
On Tuesday evening, August 17, York Lodge No. 56 met together with Stromsburg Lodge No. 126, Geneva Lodge No. 79, and Utica No. 96. York Lodge’s Worshipful Master Fran Crowe hosted the event at his home south of McCool Junction, starting with a blue rock shotgun shoot competition and catered dinner.
After dinner, W.M. Crowe presented the top 3 blue rock shooters with prizes for their efforts. Third place went to Justin Jacobsen (York Lodge), Second Place was Glenn Arbogast (York Lodge), and Marlin Buzeg (Stromsburg Lodge) won the event. Fun was had by all that participated.
The evening culminated with an outdoor lodge, which was neatly arranged in a low vale. Brother Justin Jacobsen of York Lodge was raised to the sublime degree of a Master Mason with brethren from all four lodges assisting with the ritual. The sidelines of the outdoor lodge were full with 29 brethren in attendance. It was a beautiful evening full of friendship, brotherly love and quality degree work.
Congratulations to the brethren of York Lodge No. 56 on a great event!
The picture at left shows Brethren assembled in a low vale for the meeting, with W.M. Fran Crowe conferring the degree.
Brethren of York, Stromsburg, Geneva and Utica Lodges in attendance at the outdoor degree are shown in the picture on the right.
Photos by W.B. Ron Winquest, Secretary of York Lodge No. 56.
On August 12, 2021, Worshipful Brother Warren Stenback, of Rob Morris Lodge No. 46 in Kearney, was presented with his 65-year pin and certificate by W.B. Delmar Jones, DGC (kneeling next to Brother Stenback) with Worshipful Master Nate Lowe (standing left), W.B. Ron Nielsen (standing center), and W.B. R. Mike Hoagland (standing right) at The Nebraska Masonic Home in Plattsmouth.
