Grand Senior Warden Jim Carlton awarded a Grand Master’s Entered Apprentice Challenge Coin to Brother Celio Santos for his nearly perfect performance in Questions and Answers at John J. Mercer Lodge No. 290 in Omaha on November 12. Also pictured is Senior Warden Eric BenSalah, who conferred the Fellow Craft degree that followed.
It was a beautiful day for a parade on Saturday, November 09, 2019. Fourteen members representing six lodges walked in the Lincoln Veterans Parade. The parade began at the Lincoln High School parking lot and traveled west to the State Capitol. Lodges represented were Lincoln 19, Western Star 2, Cotner 297, Liberty 300, Hickman 256, John J Mercer 290, and Craftsmen 314. Special thanks to our parade chairman, Myron Coleman, of Craftsmen 314.
This was the second year for the Lincoln Veterans Parade. The weather was beautiful and more than ten times the amount of spectators showed up to watch the parade over last year’s numbers. The parade is organized by the Cornhusker Chapter of the Marines Corps League. The group hopes to have continued success with the parade in the years to come.
V.W. John Herbolsheimer, Grand Chaplain, is shown leading the last of the 2019 Nebraska Grand Lodge Area Meetings on October 30, 2019 at the Omaha Scottish Rite Masonic Center. George W. Lininger Lodge No. 268 hosted the Meeting and served a delicious stew, salad, and bread prior to the Meeting.
The Masonic Grand Lodge of Nebraska performed the Cornerstone Ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Western Nebraska Community College main building in Scottsbluff.
College administration, students and the community were present to witness the ceremony as the Grand Lodge Officers performed the ceremony. The cornerstone was hosted by Robert W. Furnas Lodge No. 265.
An article by Lauren Brant of the Scottsbluff Star-Herald can be seen here: https://www.starherald.com/news/local_news/masons-lay-cornerstone-at-western-nebraska-community-college/article_c6fde4b9-e8b6-5791-8417-292398342455.html .
A video of the ceremony by KNEB TV on YouTube can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=089t-sUpenw
Pictures courtesy of Scottsbluff Star-Herald.
On October 10, 2019, Grand Master Bob Moninger presented a 50-year pin to W.B. Howard Fairbairn for Solar Lodge No. 134 in Clarks. Brother Howard was raised in Clarks, and took a dual membership with Blazing Star Lodge No. 200 in Burwell in 2008, where he has served as Secretary of the lodge for nine years. W.B. Howard is also the chairman of the Grand Lodge Office Committee.
On Sunday, October 20th, the Grand Lodge Officers and Past Grand Masters of the Grand Lodge A.F. & A.M. of Nebraska and the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Nebraska held a joint social gathering at Cascia’s in Omaha. The Grand Lodges plan a joint social gathering each year for fun and fellowship. The two Nebraska Grand Lodges were the first regular and Prince Hall Grand Lodges in the United States to extend full reciprocal Masonic recognition to each other in February 1990.
On Thursday, October 17th, members of St. Paul Lodge No. 82 were honored for their dedication to Masonry with their 60-year pins. Members receiving the pins were M.W. Donald E. Rasmussen, W.B. Stanley J. Edwards and W.B. James Ross. The presentations were made by Grand Junior Warden Alex Straatmann and Personal Rep of the Grand Master Wayne Vian.
